Soul II Soul To The World
In the 1980s the beginnings of neo-soul, courtesy of Jazzie B and Soul II Soul, were in full swing. Jesse Bernard takes us back.
Setting up the Sound System (1983/1983) by Peter AndersonNotting Hill Carnival
British neo-soul's beginnings can be traced back to the late 1980s. Starting out as a local soundsystem in North London, Soul II Soul were among the first wave of artists that opened doors for the scene.
A Classic Electronic Piano (2021) by Hendrik BTRENCH
Regarded as pioneers to this very day, the group—masterminded by DJ and producer Jazzie B—were one of the first of its kind to gain popularity beyond UK shores, and were timely and timeless when they arrived with their debut album, 'Club Classics Vol. 1', in the spring of 1989.
Soul II Soul were best known for their eternally classic hit, "Back To Life", which is still a favourite in clubs across the world more than thirty years since its release.
In June 1989, a few months after the album dropped, "Back To Life" hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart where it stayed on top for a total of four weeks. 'Club Classics Vol. 1' also hit No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
Soul II Soul went on to win two Grammy Awards and was nominated for five BRIT Awards in 1990 and 1991, respectively, and their influence was felt throughout the world of music.
A image of a Club Night Party (2021) by Aleksandar PasaricTRENCH
They were more than just a music ensemble, though. Their soundsystem roots led them to run their own club nights at venues such as the Africa Centre in Covent Garden.
They also had a store in the heart of Camden during the ‘80s, selling their own merchandise such as leather jackets, tracksuits and other memorabilia. The Funki Dred iconography (which was also a label run by Jazzie B) became a symbol of Soul II Soul’s growing soul movement.
Personal CD Collection (2021) by IMustBeDeadTRENCH
The group set a precedent for Black British artists decades later and proved that the UK's always had something to say when it comes to neo-soul—they created a musical legacy and broke down barriers.
It's routine, nowadays, to see Black British artists top the charts (see: Stormzy, Dave, and Little Simz), all of whom are distinctly British but allow overseas audiences to relate. However, through acts like Soul II Soul, those foundations were laid many, many years ago.
This digital work has been produced in collaboration with PRS Foundation and POWER UP. The article first featured in TRENCH x Union Black's Chapter One: Game Changers zine.
Words by Jesse Bernard
Photography by Notting Hill Carnival
Videos by Soul II Soul VEVO, Soul 2 Soul UK, Restless Rick and Stormzy.
Commissioned by TRENCH
