Soul II Soul

Soul II Soul

Soul II Soul are a London group that begin in 1988 and remain active. They are associated with contemporary R&B, dance-pop, house and soul, and they first attract attention as a sound system playing records at house and street parties. Their clothing style, known as “Funki Dred,” becomes closely identified with the group and leads to a clothing line.

Formation and early development

Jazzie B founds the group, which works with a changing line-up of musicians. Among the names linked with the project are Nellee Hooper, Simon Law, Phillip “Daddae” Harvey, Caron Wheeler, Aitch B, Melissa Bell, Dobie, Penny Ford, Victoria Wilson James, Doreen Waddell, and Wunmi. The group’s early recorded work includes the dub plate “Fairplay,” which leads to a deal with Virgin Records.

Commercial success and key recordings

Soul II Soul achieve major success in 1989 with “Keep on Movin’” and “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me),” both from their debut album Club Classics Vol. I. These recordings feature Caron Wheeler on vocals and help shape mainstream UK dance music in the early 1990s. Their next album, Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade, includes the singles “Get a Life” and “A Dream’s a Dream,” with operatic vocals by Victoria Wilson-James on the latter. The group also has a UK top five hit in 1992 with “Joy.”

Later releases and recognition

After Volume 5 in 1995, Soul II Soul release two more albums on Island Records. The group wins two Grammy Awards and remains a significant British dance and soul act.