Jazzie B presents SOUL II SOUL at THE AFRICA CENTRE

With the keys to six American cities and numerous Gold discs, Jazzie B is one of London's biggest and most influential success stories of the late '80s and early '90s. From their beginnings as the Jah Rico sound system playing community centres in East London and selling Funki Dred t-shirts in Camden, the Soul II Soul collective became an institution during the mid-80s with their rammed nights at Covent Garden's Africa Centre before international stardom and global chart success with 'Back To Life', 'Keep On Movin' and many more huge selling hits in the late '80s and early '90s

In today's climate of selfish super-clubbing, the Soul II Soul philosophy at the Africa Centre set the benchmark for including the crowd in their parties, whatever their background - a 'happy face, a thumpin' bass for a lovin' race'. The club took the reggae sound system idea to '70s soul and funk and, alongside Norman Jay's Shake & Fingerpop, became a central part of the London rare groove revival, breaking anthems like Maceo's 'Cross The Tracks' and The Naturals' 'Funky Rasta'.

Strut and Junior present the definitive story of the rise of Soul II Soul with an exclusive mix by Jazzie B covering many of the anthems played at the Africa Centre alongside exclusive 'specials' recorded for Soul II Soul by Shabba Ranks, Horace Andy, Caron Wheeler and Barrington Levy. We even feature a bona fide police raid at the end of the mix! Full package includes extensive sleeve notes by Lloyd Bradley, producer of Channel 4's recent reggae history series, with piles of rare photos, original soul II Soul artwork by designer Derek Yates, flyers and memorabilia. An essential document of UK clubland history and an ideal follow-up to Strut / Junior's 'Wild Bunch' album release from 2002.

Tracklist: Roy Ayers
Fela Kuti - Africa Centre Of The World (excerpt)
The Naturals - Funky Rasta
Lee Dorsey - Night People
James Brown - Don't Tell It
James Mason - Sweet Power
Fun Boy Three - Faith Hope & Charity
Tears For Fears - Shout (US remix)
Soul II Soul Special: Horace Andy
Maceo & The Macks - Cross The Tracks
The Meters - Just Kissed My Baby
Johnny Hammond - Tell Me What To Do
Roy Ayers - Life Is Just A Moment (part 2)
Steve Parks - Movin' In The Right Direction
Gary Bartz - Music Is My Sanctuary
Soul II Soul Special: Barrington Levy, Caron Wheeler & Shabba Ranks
Don Blackman - Heart's Desire
Faze-O - Riding High / The Raid

To be released 24 March on Label Strut Tags