One of the most successful hip-hop acts to emerge from the UK, Stereo MCs’ line-up revolved around three women and three men: Rob Birch (vocals), Nick ‘The Head’ Hallam (synths/computers/scratching) Owen If (percussion) plus Cath Coffey, Andrea Bedassie and Verona David (backing vocals).

Hailing from Nottingham, where they had been friends since the age of six, Rob Birch and Nick Hallam originally formed a rock duo there called Dogman And Head, before moving to London in 1985 when they were both 17 years old. Once in London they started recording rap music and, together with John Baker and DJ Richie Rich, formed the Gee Street label as a means of promoting their music. Gee Street soon signed a distribution deal with the New York-based 4th & Broadway label and a series of singles followed before Stereo MCs’ debut album 33, 45, 78 surfaced in 1989. This was followed by the 1990 album ‘Supernatural’ and the group’s 1991 single “Elevate My Mind” gave them a US Top 40 hit that year, which was a first for a UK hip-hop outfit.

Although their first two albums had been well received it was their powerful third album, ‘Connected’, which really brought them serious recognition when it crashed into the album charts in 1992. When the single to the title track and the brilliantly rhythmic “Step It Up” were released, the Stereo MCs finally gained the wider audience that they truly deserved. In 1994 the Stereo MCs picked up the awards Best Album for ‘Connected’ and for Best Group at the BRITs. ‘Connected’ was also short listed for a Mercury Prize.

This 20 track disc features the best of their studio recordings and concerts that were recorded for and broadcast by the BBC and charts their rise to multi-platinum album sellers. All of the tracks here were hand picked by the group and feature exclusive versions of some of their biggest hits. This is a wonderful alternative ‘best of’ and, just as they are about to release their latest album, it serves as a fantastic reminder of Stereo MCs at their commercial peak. Stereo MCs Live at the BBC is set for UK release January 28th, 2008.

Stereo MCs Live at the BBC track listing:

Elevate My Mind (Town and Country) 08/05/1993
Sofisticated Lamacq Live 09/04/2001
Deep Down & Dirty Lamacq Live 09/04/2001
Fade Away T&C 08/05/1993
Graffiti Part 1 Lamacq Live 09/04/2001
Graffiti Part 2 Lamacq 09/04/2001
Connected Town and Country 08/05/1993
Pressure Town and Country 08/05/1993
Playing With Fire Town and Country 08/05/1993
Lost In Music T&C 08/05/1993
Ground Level T&C 08/05/1993
Breeze Lamacq Live 09/04/2001
Step It Up (Version) Evening Session 26/09/1992
Creation Evening Session 26/09/1992
Set It Off Janice Long 18/8/05
What Is Soul Liz Kershaw 24/04/1988
Toe To Toe Andy Kershaw 05/01/1989
Gee Street Liz Kershaw 24/04/1988

The Stereo MCs are currently on a DJ tour throughout the UK and Europe.

Stereo MCs show dates:

Dates could change! Go to Stereo MCs Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

25 Jan 2008 CDQ Club (DJ SET) Warsaw
26 Jan 2008 Sfinks Club (DJ SET) Sopot, Poland
1 Feb 2008 Club Low (DJ SET) Madrid
8 Feb 2008 Maria am Ostbahnof (DJ SET) Berlin, Germany
9 Feb 2008 Ubel and Gefahrlich (DJ SET) Hamburg, Germany
29 Feb 2008 Fabric (DJ SET) London
15 Mar 2008 Lagerhof (DJ SET) Leipzig, Germany
20 Mar 2008 Toni Molkerei (DJ SET) Zurich
28 Mar 2008 Moles Club (DJ SET) Bath

Stereo MCs – Live at the BBC on amazon.co.uk

Stereo MCs on Myspace

Astonishingly, Maria McKee was only 19 when she penned Feargal Sharkey’s 1985 UK number one hit “A Good Heart”. In 1989 she released her debut solo album and in 1990 Maria McKee held the number one spot in the UK charts for four weeks with “Show Me Heaven”, recorded for the soundtrack to the film Days Of Thunder. The song became one of the best selling singles of that year throughout Europe. Maria no longer performs this track live so it’s wonderful that one of her rare live performances of that song is included here on this superb compilation.

The tracks featured on Maria McKee – Live at the BBC CD are taken from her performances at Manchester University in 1991 and Cambridge Junction in 1993, at the peak of her commercial success. The set contains some of her best known performances alongside the Lone Justice hits and some wonderful cover versions.

Maria McKee Live at the BBC tracklisting:
(UK release date – January 28th, 2008)

I’ve Forgotten What It Was In You (3′20″)
Am I The Only One (Who’s Ever Felt This Way) (2′30″)
Shelter (4′04″)
Show Me Heaven (3′50″)
I Found Love (3′27″)
A Good Heart (3′25″)
Drinking In My Sunday Dress (3′22″)
Manchester University 23/3/91

East Of Eden (2′45″)
I Can’t Make It Alone (3′45″)
My Lonely Sad Eyes (2′55″)
If It Don’t Work Out (3′35″)
I Forgive You (6′25″)
My Girlhood Among The Outlaws (3′55″)
This Property Is Condemned (6′10″)
Breathe (3′45″)
Nobody’s Child (4′20″)
Young Lovers Do (3′10″)
Why Wasn’t I More Grateful (5′40″)
You Gotta Sin To Be Saved (2′25″)
You Are The Light (4′30″)
Cambridge Junction 9/6/93

Watch Maria McKee “Open Spaces” video:

Maria McKee : Live at the BBC on amazon.co.uk

Maria McKee on Myspace
Maria McKee Official Website

Robert Cray is one of the few blues artists who managed to cultivate a mainstream following in the 1980s and 90s. During the course of a long-running career that began in the 1970s, he uniquely blended elements of rhythm & blues, pop and traditional blues to win fans over to a more contemporary blues sound.

In 1988 Cray consolidated his burgeoning reputation with the excellent album ‘Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark’, which featured some raucous saxophone sounds care of David Sanborn. For the follow-up ‘Midnight Stroll’, Cray adopted a new line-up that made for a tougher sound, moving him away from mainstream blues towards R&B and soul.

Robert Cray continues to record and perform live, and to date has received five Grammy Awards for his innovative style.

This double CD, set for UK release on January 28th, 2008, features the very best of Robert Cray’s BBC Concert performances, recorded between 1988-1991 during the tours to promote the Grammy Award winning albums ‘Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark’ and ‘Midnight Stroll’, both of which made the UK and US charts.

Robert Cray Live at the BBC tracklisting:

I Guess I Showed Her (1988)
Foul Play (1988)
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark (1988)
Baby You Don’t Even Care (1988)
Night Patrol (1988)
Nothing But A Woman (1988)
Phone Booth (1991)
These Things (1991)
My Problem (1991)
The Forecast Calls For Pain (1991)
Consequences (1991)
Right Next Door (1991)
Acting This Way (1991)
Smoking Gun (1991)

“Robert Cray is not only making great music, he’s making history. With a few exceptions…it used to be that there was the blues and there were the masses and never the twain shall meet. But Cray, who obviously is respected in blues circles, is a press darling and crossover smash.” (Dan Forte – Guitar Player)

Watch Robert Cray – “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark” video

Robert Cray: Live at the BBC on amazon.co.uk

Robert Cray – Live At The BBC on amazon.com (US)

Robert Cray on Myspace
Robert Cray Official Website