Mike

A pass on of various upcoming live acts at Floridita (100 Wardour St, Soho, London, W1). The venue has really diversified its line-ups to include a lot more Funk & Soul. Highlights for this month & next include PUSH, Driza Bone, Baker Brothers, Smoove & Turrell & Craig Charles. Friday 3rd Feb Osvaldo Chacon & The Cuban All-Stars 10pm - 12am Renowned Cuban singer/songwriter Osvaldo Chacon will wow audiences with his timba style music - a spicy mixture of jazz, salsa, soul, funk and afro Caribbean rhythms, unique to his native Cuba. Supported by Cuba 4 7.30pm - 9.30pm Intimate Cuban sounds in the style of the Buena Vista Social Club perfect for both dinner and dancing. Saturday 4th Feb Los Charlys Orchestra 10pm - 12am Los Charlys Orchestra is one of London's coolest Latin funk and salsa bands, they are performing at Floridita for a very special edition of Boogaloo, 70's salsa & Latin funk. Hugely entertaining and bound to keep you dancing all night. Suported by Cubano 7.30pm - 9.30pm A great way to kick off a night of hot, steamy Latin sounds. This little band punches above its weight and creates a slow burn. Perfect dinner music and an antidote to the winter blues. Tuesday 7th Feb AGMP and Blaqua present SOUL TIME at Floridita 7.30pm - 12am Driza Bone Soul Family Drizabone had their first hit record with "Real Love", a timeless soulful dance groove, which endures on dance floors to this day. The band followed that up with a remix of "I Love Your Smile" by U.S artist Shanice, reaching No 2 in the U.K chart. If it's nostalgia you're after, for a time when chilled sounds were served with a soulful kick rather than washed-out electronic layers then this is the band for you. Supported by Nathan Watson Nathan Watson is known for his distinctly eclectic fresh soul funk sound. Having started off his musical career as a rapper Nathan progressed to being a of distinction. His songs come across in a refreshingly clear way and once you've heard his themes on life and love, you'll know he's lived every word. Wednesday 8th Feb Cabaret Floridita 8pm - 12am Cabaret Floridita presents a vast array of glittering acts including the sensational Globe Girls, fabulous West End glitterati and a special performance from Reuben Richards and Soul Train. Cabaret never tasted so good... Thursday 9th Feb Smoove and Turrell. 10pm - 12am John Turrell is currently at the top of his game lyrically and vocally while Smoove delivers a timeless production that references but never mimics the greats of soul, hip hop, jazz and rhythm and blues. Supported by Rebecca Poole 7.30pm - 9.30pm "Rebecca Poole is one of the brightest new stars on the Jazz Soul circuit"- Jazz Fm. The bitter sweet vocalist combines 1940's nostalgia with feel good grooves and is currently writing and recording her new album with James Pearson of the Ronnie Scott's All Stars. Friday 10th Feb Osvaldo Chacon & The Cuban All-Stars 10pm - 12am Renowned Cuban singer/songwriter Osvaldo Chacon will wow audiences with his timba style music - a spicy mixture of jazz, salsa, soul, funk and afro Caribbean rhythms, unique to his native Cuba. Supported by Cuba 4 7.30pm - 9.30pm Intimate Cuban sounds in the style of the Buena Vista Social Club perfect for both dinner and dancing. Saturday 11th Feb Los Charlys Orchestra 10pm - 12am Los Charlys Orchestra is one of London's coolest Latin funk and salsa bands; they are performing at Floridita for a very special edition of Boogaloo, 70's salsa & Latin funk. Hugely entertaining and bound to keep you dancing all night. Suported by Cubano 7.30pm - 9.30pm A great way to kick off a night of hot, steamy Latin sounds. This little band punches above its weight and creates a slow burn. Perfect dinner music and an antidote to the winter blues. Tuesday 14th Feb Shane Hampsheir 10pm- 12am Why not spend Valentine's Night listening to some of the finest classic love songs performed by one of Britain's most exciting swing singers, along with his World-class 7-piece band? An evening of classics made famous by the likes of the Rat Pack, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett and Michael BublÃÆ’©, Supported by Nicola Emmanuelle 7.30pm - 9.30pm Nicola has a sensational set of songs evoking the style of the original jazz pioneers of the thirties, forties and fifties, along with stunning and beautiful renditions of some of the all time greats. Wednesday 15th Feb Cabaret Floridita 7.30pm - 12am Cabaret Floridita presents a vast array of glittering acts including the sensational Globe Girls, fabulous West End glitterati and a special performance from Reuben Richards and Soul Train. Cabaret never tasted so good... Thursday 16th Feb The Craig Charles Show 7.30pm - 12am Craig Charles, performance poet, star of Red Dwarf and Coronation Street, presenter of Robot Wars and, of course, presenter of the best funk and soul show on radio comes to Floridita for the very first time. Tonight Mr Charles brings his trunk of funk and plays us the very finest grooves. There will also be music from two great bands and a succulent selection of the sweetest soul sounds in town. Friday 17th Feb Osvaldo Chacon & the Cuban All-Stars 10pm- 12am Renowned Cuban singer/songwriter Osvaldo Chacon will wow audiences with his timba style music - a spicy mixture of jazz, salsa, soul, funk and afro Caribbean rhythms, unique to his native Cuba. Supported by Cuba 4 7.30pm - 12am Intimate Cuban sounds in the style of the Buena Vista Social Club perfect for both dinner and dancing. Saturday 18th Feb Los Charlys Orchestra 10pm - 12am Los Charlys Orchestra is one of London's coolest Latin funk and salsa bands, they are performing at Floridita for a very special edition of Boogaloo, 70's salsa & Latin funk. Hugely entertaining and bound to keep you dancing all night. Suported by Cubano 7.30pm - 9.30pm A great way to kick off a night of hot, steamy Latin sounds. This little band punches above its weight and creates a slow burn. Perfect dinner music and an antidote to the winter blues. Tuesday 21st Feb AGMP and Blaqua present SOUL TIME at Floridita 7.30pm - 12am THE IMPELLERS + support ULTIMATE BREAKS & BEATS + DJ Ben Gibson (Hook 'n' Sling ) Wednesday 22nd Feb Cabaret Floridita 8pm - 12am Cabaret Floridita presents a vast array of glittering acts including the sensational Globe Girls, fabulous West End glitterati and a special performance from Reuben Richards and Soul Train. Cabaret never tasted so good... Thursday 23rd Feb The Leo Green Experience The Leo Green Experience has established itself as the most explosive and exciting band in the UK - a riotous party is guaranteed. Leo returns to his first love for a rare night of sax induced funky soul drenched rhythm and blues rock n roll goodtime chaos. Leo's all-star band features some of the UK's best musicians whilst he holds it all together on the sax and vocals. "Leo Green is born to boogie" - Jools Holland "A very talented young man" - Robert de Niro "The greatest sax player I have ever worked with" - Jerry Lee Lewis Friday 24th Feb Osvaldo Chacon & The Cuban All-Stars 10pm - 12am Renowned Cuban singer/songwriter Osvaldo Chacon will wow audiences with his timba style music - a spicy mixture of jazz, salsa, soul, funk and afro Caribbean rhythms, unique to his native Cuba. Supported by Cuba 4 7.30pm - 9.30pm Intimate Cuban sounds in the style of the Buena Vista Social Club perfect for both dinner and dancing. Saturday 25th Feb Los Charlys Orchestra 10pm - 12am One of London's coolest Latin funk and salsa bands, Los Charlys Orchestra come to Floridita for a very special edition of Boogaloo, 70's salsa & Latin funk. Hugely entertaining and bound to keep you dancing all night. Suported by Cubano 7.30pm - 9.30pm A great way to kick off a night of hot, steamy Latin sounds. This little band punches above its weight and creates a slow burn. Perfect dinner music and an antidote to the winter blues. Tuesday 28th Feb Smutty Pop presents SMUTTY BLUES 7.30pm - 12am SMUTTY POP hosts a majestic night of dirty blues at the prestigious FLORIDITA. This night is jam-packed with an array of resplendent live musical wonders, followed by Jimmy Lazers & Nicky Grime spinning some of the finest rhythm and blues vinyl until the early hours. King Salami and the Cumberland 3 London's newest R&B-punk sensation are making fun times where ever they go. With a repertoire encompassing many of the greats of the '50s and '60s you won't be able to help but move your feet. The King howls like Screaming Jay Hawkins with Bo Diddley chasing his coat-tail and with Andre Williams trying to offer up some of his bacon fat. This man never stops shakin' and twistin' and groovin' while the Cumberland 3 play their own branded mix of vintage rockabilly, driving rock'n'roll, and a touch of soul with fire, energy, gusto and fun! Supported by Natalie Duncan Buy shares in Natalie Duncan - singer in Goldie's band on BBC2 right now - she's a star in the making. Astonishingly powerful & moving singing. Wednesday 29th Feb Cabaret Floridita 8pm - 12am Cabaret Floridita presents a vast array of glittering acts including the sensational Globe Girls, fabulous West End glitterati and a special performance from Reuben Richards and Soul Train. Cabaret never tasted so good... Thursday 1st March Sarah Jane Morris 10pm - 12am Famed for her association with the 'Communards' in the mid-80s (the fabulous hit "Don't leave me this way" is still requested at every party!) Sarah Jane Morris continues to steer her unorthodox career to ever greater heights.

News submitted that the latest issue of Record Collector Magazine is having a look at uk soul in a British Soul Power feature Full issue details below: Record Collector Magazine Issue 397, January 2012 ON SALE NOW! British Soul Power The charts are packed with home-grown soul-influenced talent. But we've always had our share of soulful singers, Jack Watkins pays tribute. With a growing British soul influence in the charts we explore and re-evaluate the British soul of the 60's. RC covers and exhaustive range of British soul acts including, George Fame, Herbie Coins, Geno Washington, Long John Baldry, Chris Farlowe, PP Arnold, Cliff Bennett, Sharon Tandy, Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon and Steve Marriot. Plus RC's top 11 60's top soul 45's, including b-sides and prices. The Stone Roses "They were the band who'd dealt in empowerment, making people want to write, paint or be in a band themselves, to have the confidence to achieve something" The Stone Roses are planning their comeback. The magazine looks into the announcement for this event and what the band has planned for their awaiting audiences. "We are going to rule the world again." Looking into highlights of the bands relationship and their up and coming new album, what does this legendary band have in store for its fans? Keith Richards "Beneath the myth of Keith Richards - rock star, cult hero, unlikely inspiration" 30 years on and the Some Girls album by The Rolling Stones is re - released. The magazine talks to Keith Richards about his experience as well as his relationship with the music and the past. We are enlightened with Richards's memories and his understanding of the album. Plus Kris Needs reveals the background to the Some Girls, the controversial songs that lurked unreleased for decades, and the details behind the making of the music. Also in this issue: Wishbone Ash, our pick of the rock books, Roger Mellie, 2011 under the microscope, and win a Can box set http://www.recordcollectormag.com/issues/issue-detail/397