Read the success story of Colonel Abrams trapped. It's an interview that Colonel Abrams gave for Blues and Soul magazine in 1985.

When B&S last spoke to Lanier & Co back in February of last year (was it really that long ago?!), the group were hoping that their third single for Willie Mitchell's Waylo label would be the one. While "Dancing In The Night" can't really be regarded as a hit in terms of the small U.K. market (having peaked outside of the Top 75 at No.78) it has at least brought them to the attention of a major label in EMI. Hopefully the single is selling sufficiently well to convince EMI to go with a follow-up, and maybe their now-completed album as well.

JUST in case there are still people who have yet to hear the news Shirley Jones is back in the fast lane and moving up through the gears like Nigel Man sell on a good day! The former The Jones Girls who, with sisters Brenda and Valerie, endeared themselves to a generation via their unique mellifluous soulful vocals as showcased on such classic tracks as "You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else" and "Nights Over Egypt" was reaping instantaneous rewards following the release of her debut solo album "Always In The Mood" and the initial offshoot single "Do You Get Enough Love".

  Lucky fellow Scott Preston interviewed Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power.

No matter who you are, where you live, or your taste in music, Tower of Power will find you. And once that happens, it's all over. You will come to believe not only that soul music is the salvation of us all, but that Tower of Power is one of those rare bands who can claim to be the real deal, 100 proof, aged-to-perfection, ground zero Soul. And the thing is, they're everywhere now.

Who's next?

Interview by Scott Preston  read more on  Cincy Groove

Here are some Liners from October '87 from the B&S Magazine. 

IT'S been three years since her last album . . . but now she's back! "Watch Out" is the title of the new album and single and judging by the response so far, both will be big sellers. Yes indeed, Patrice Rushen has returned with a vengeance. The album, incidentally, is all her own work except for three tracks ? "Somewhere", "Anything Can Happen" and "Long Time Comin'" ? and the project is a direct cross between dance and ballad.

It's already almost a year ago that Gerald Levert died. For me he was the greatest male soul singer, producer of the ninetees till 2006. In the soul and funk music archive I found an interview from B&S with Gerald from 1994.  In that year he released his album Groove on.

Whilst the name Miki Howard may be new to you, the gifted vocaliste is anything but a newcomer. In fact, quite the contrary because Miki's prior main claim to fame was as lead singer with Side Effect, a group who were by the critics but whose commercial pedigree never materialised.

To soul fans, and particularly Soul and Funk Music.com visitors, Alyson Williams is no newcomer. Featured on duets with Def Jam labelmates Tashan, Chuck Stanley and Oran 'Juice' Jones and part of the "Soul Songs" tour in 1987, the soulful lady left an indelible impression on European music lovers through her varying different musical excursions.
Now, you'll be pleased to know, you can get a whole album which features (for the most part) the truly amazing vocal talents of Ms. Williams: her debut LP has finally been released in the States, where only the more discerning record buyers have noted her name hitherto.

WHILE, as a family group, Mason have that fact in common with the likes of the Jacksons, Pointers and Isleys, they have one further common factor with the Wilson Brothers, a.k.a. the Gap Band. Both families hail from the unlikely city of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Niemand in Nederland heeft zo'n grote betekenis voor het fenomeen remixen gehad als Ben Liebrand. Hij is de pionier, de uitvinder en de grootmeester. Hij was een van de eersten ter wereld die als man achter de knoppen op de hoes en in de titel van een nummer werd vermeld. De toevoeging The Ben Liebrand Remix' werd op een zeker moment een garantie voor verkoopsucces, waarbij de naam van de artiest nauwelijks meer ter zake deed. Inmiddels heeft de remix een andere betekenis voor de popmuziek gekregen, en heeft Liebrand zijn werkterrein uitgebreid naar grafisch werk. Maar hij maakt nog steeds muziek, en heeft er veel over te vertellen. We hadden een inspirerend gesprek over de invloed van de Minimix, hardware versus software, en de gevolgen van zijn succes.

"AFTER a series of near misses during his Arista years, 35-year-old {safm}Jeff  Lorber{/safm} has attained that elusive crossover hit first time out on Warner Brothers. "Facts Of Love" is the record and it not only provides Jeff with a slab of gold, it also welcomes two exciting new vocal talents to an unsuspecting world ? Karyn White and Michael Jeffries.