Jazzie B (Soul II Soul) @ Barasti Beach House

A Living Legend ... Trevor Beresford Romeo (OBE) is a true British soul pioneer. The man known as Jazzie B has been pushing the very best soul in all its forms across dancefloors and the airwaves for over 30 years. A proud English eccentric, this is Jazzie’s story … "We're from the days when a number 14 bus and a supermarket trolley got us around." Jazzie declares when asked about his early sound system days, for it is this culture that ignited the flame within and kick started Jazzie’s career as Mr. Soul II Soul. Having taken his first steps into the bass heavy world of the sound system when he was just 13 alongside his ally and good friend Daddae, it’s fair to say Jazzie has never looked back. The early years were spent building up a local rep and focusing on his life project, although upon leaving school Jazzie needed to take it to the next level and after doing various jobs to raise cash, he finally landed a job in the music industry as a tape operator for Tommy Steele. He was one of a few black people working in the industry at the time and he paid his dues for 2 years in a sometimes-hostile environment, but came away having learnt a great deal about audio, which set him in good stead for the future. With Soul II Soul always the priority, in the mid-80’s Jazzie and his sound system were fast building a reputation across the UK as one the most exciting party acts around and with Acid House just getting started, Soul II Soul’s universal appeal and Balearic beats slotted naturally into the scene. "We were very arty as an early sound. We never had conventional speakers, we used pyrotechnics in a dance, we had banners and strobes in a house party!" This appealed to the white middle classed punters of the warehouse functions. Although Soul II Soul had been going for years, it wasn’t until Jazzie landed the now legendary gig at the Africa Centre in London’s Covent Garden when the Soul II Soul experience was truly created. It gave them the stage they needed to perform and unlike other sound systems at the time Soul II Soul was all about the vibe with Jazzie steering the ship. And that vibe not only gained more street credibility, but it had spilt over into another scene. "You had people from all walks of life at the Africa Centre. A very eclectic crowd. It was like Benetton down there." Jazzie will be rocking the Barasti Beach House main-stage from 9pm till midnight on the 30th. Do NOT miss out.Opening up for him will be Messrs Martin Metcalf, David Craig (welcome to our stage, newbie ... what a wicked DJ he is - souful and funky, just like we like it) then from Midnight, Hisham Samawi will be banging out the Hallowe'en tunes till the wee small hours.Bring it on, Barasti!!