The Best of Soul II Soul Music
Contents
The Best of Soul II Soul Music is a compilation album released in the United Kingdom on 21 March 1989 by Virgin Records. The album peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart and was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales in excess of 600,000 copies.
Introduction
Soul II Soul is a musical group from the United Kingdom that was formed in 1988. The group’s musical style encompasses R&B, soul, house, and hip hop. Since their formation, Soul II Soul has released four studio albums and multiple singles, many of which have charted in the UK and US. The group’s most successful single is “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)”, which reached number one on the UK Singles chart in 1989 and peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The formation of Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul was one of the most successful British soul and R&B groups of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The group was formed in London in 1988 by producer/songwriter Nellee Hooper and singer/songwriter Simon Law. The two had met while working on a project for the British fashion designer Katharine Hamnett, and they decided to form a band after being impressed by each other’s work. They were joined by singer/lyricist Caron Wheeler and drummer/percussionist Aitch Bembridge, and the four began working on what would become their debut album, Club Classics Vol. One.
The success of Soul II Soul
Formed in the late 1980s, Soul II Soul was a hugely influential British music group who helped to shape the sound of contemporary R&B. Headed up by producer/songwriter Nellee Hooper and fronted by singer Caron Wheeler, the group enjoyed enormous success with their debut album Club Classics Vol. One, which topped the UK charts in 1989 and went on to sell over two million copies worldwide.
Their music was a unique fusion of soul, hip-hop and dance, with an accompanying message of positivity and unity that struck a chord with many young people during a time of social and economic unrest in the UK. The group won two Grammy Awards for their work, and their contribution to music was widely celebrated.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Soul II Soul’s music, with their classic tracks being rediscovered by new generations of listeners. Here we take a look back at some of their best-loved songs, which continue to inspire and delight us today.
The influence of Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul was a British musical group founded in London in 1988. The group’s work helped to shape the sound of UK club culture and electronic dance music in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Soul II Soul’s biggest hit was “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)”, which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1989.
The group was led by producer/songwriter/DJ Nellee Hooper and featured singers Caron Wheeler, Rose Windross, and Aja Lee. Their debut album, Club Classics Vol. One, was released in 1989 and included the hit single “Keep On Movin’.” The album peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart and was certified five times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Soul II Soul’s music is characterized by a smooth, soulful sound that incorporates elements of R&B, hip hop, house, and reggae. The group’s work has been highly influential, particularly in the UK where their sound helped to shape the sound of club culture and electronic dance music in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The music of Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul’s sound was a melting pot of influences, including reggae, R&B, funk, and pop. The group’sleader and producer, Nellee Hooper, was also influenced by hip-hop and the London club scene. As a result, Soul II Soul’s music was both unique and accessible to a wide range of listeners.
The group’s debut album, Club Classics Vol. One, was released in 1989 and featured the singles “Keep On Movin'” and “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me).” The album was an instant success, reaching number one on the UK charts and selling over two million copies in the United States. Soul II Soul followed up their debut with the release of their second album, A New Decade, in 1990. The album featured the hit single “Joy,” which became one of the biggestAge club hits of all time.
In addition to their work in the studio, Soul II Soul were also active in promoting social causes. In 1990, they launched the “Keep On Movin'” campaign to combat racism and promote racial harmony. The campaign was successful in raising awareness about racism and promoting tolerance among young people.
The legacy of Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul is a musical collective founded in London in 1988. The group’s work has included two platinum albums, two number-one singles in the UK, and won them three Grammy Awards.
Their sound was a unique fusion of contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop, with heavy influences from 1970s soul music. The group’s debut album, Keep On Movin’, was released in 1989 and featured the singles “Keep On Movin'” and “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)”. The album was a huge success, reaching number one on the UK charts and selling over a million copies in the UK.
The group’s follow-up album, A New Depth of Soul II Soul Music, was released in 1991 and featured the singles “Joy” and “Get a Life”. The album was another huge success, reaching number one on the UK charts and selling over two million copies in the UK.
In 1992, the group released their third album, Club Classics Vol. One, which featured the singles “Keep On Movin'” and “A Dream’s a Dream”. The album was another huge success, reaching number one on the UK charts and selling over three million copies in the UK.
The group disbanded in 1995, but reunited in 1997 for a one-off performance at the MOBO Awards. In 2013, the group announced they would be reuniting for a series of live shows throughout the UK to celebrate their 25th anniversary.