Celebrating the best of Soul in the UK, the front woman of Soul this side of the Atlantic Beverley Knight has compiled a record dedicated to the UK Soul movement. With other genres of music getting high praise over the course of 40 years like Rock, Techno, Hip Hop and now Dubstep getting the attention of the pop charts, Miss Beverley wants to address the importance of Soul music and how it has affected the likes of British artists. Spanning across the late 70s until the early 90s, the songs touch a certain generation as sentimental, the rest of us get to here some classics again from yesteryear that were perhaps forgotten.

Some powerful ballads show off the voice of the elegant Beverley but her capabilities don’t stop there. Tracks like ‘Mama Used To Say’ originally by Junior in 1982 and ‘Apparently Nothin’’ (featuring Glen Scott & Roots Manuva) by Young Disciples make sure this record isn’t just one style of Soul but it covers the whole spectrum of the genre.

There are some interesting choices of material on Soul UK in which some people might not link to two artists together. For instance, the last song on the album called ‘One More Try’ is a track by none other than George Michael. A great artist but you might not necessarily put Beverley in the same breath. Though with a little change in instruments and a different vibe in place, Beverley creates a great re-mastered version of the George Michael classic and deserves its place on the record for sure.

Though you are treated to a hit upon hit collection, some fans might feel cheated that there are no original songs by the singer/songwriter. After her previous record 100% was released in 2009, her fans might have thought Beverley wanted to contribute the same way in her future projects rather than just stating the point for one record. We all know Beverly is a talented musician and can conjure up a song by little walks in life and it would have been nice to see it expressed yet again.

However, the message is clear throughout the record on what Beverley wants to accomplish, to remind people about the strong history the country has with Soul music and it’s not just the Americans who know how to create good Soul music. With this in mind, you would have to say that the album will stretch the knowledge of the UK public to discover new British Soul that they may or may not have heard of before. Artists such as Freeez, Princess, Loose Ends, Rod Temperton, Jaki Graham, Andrew Roachford and Lewis Taylor have essentially been given a new life.

Soul UK receives an impressive 4 M out of 5

Soul UK is out on the 4th of July

Words By Dean Woodhouse

MOBO TV recently recorded a interview with Beverley Knight and it will be broadcasted as part of MOBO Mondays very soon. Stay tuned!

Check out Beverley Knight on twitter @BeverleyKnight