Formed in 1989, London, England.
Soul II Soul comprised, at various stages, of:
Jazzie B. (b. Beresford Romeo, 26th January 1963, London, England. (singer and vocal dialogue)
Nellee Hooper (b. 1963, Bristol, England) (producer / mixer / arranger)
Rose Windross (b. 16th January, England) (singer & songwriter)
Caron Wheeler (b. Caron Melina Wheeler, 19th January 1963, Acton, London, United Kingdom)
Simon Law (b. 1961, Luton, United Kingdom) (keyboards)
Philip 'Daddae' Harvey (b. Phillip Harvey, 28th February 1964, London, England) (instrumentalist)
and
Do'reen Waddell (b. 1966, United Kingdom. d. 1st March 2002, Essex, United Kingdom)
Soul II Soul were one of the most successful soulful exports from the U.K. during the late Eighties and early Nineties.
Soul II Soul's name became, originally, an umbrella for several of the operations of founder Jazzie B.
These various parts of the Soul II Soul jigsaw included sound systems, gig's and the group itself.
They also held a number of warehouse events, including, the Paddington Dome, near Kings Cross, London, before setting up their own place of residence.
Jazzie B met Nellee Hooper there and he became part of 'the family'.
Soul II took up a residency at Covent Garden's African Centre before signing to Virgin Records' subsidiary Ten Records.
club classics, vol. 1 - 1989 / vol. II: 1990, a new decade - 1990
Following the release of two singles, 'Fairplay' and 'Feel Free', the band's profile grew with the aid of fashion T-shirts, two shops and Jazzie B's slot on the then pirate Kiss-FM radio station.
'Fairplay' featured the vocals of Rose Windross, who penned the song, and became the first female vocalist with the group in 1988.
'Keep On Movin', the follow-up single, reached number 5 in the U.K. charts and set the scene for further success.
The follow-up, 'Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)', once more featured Wheeler, and was taken from their debut 'Club Classics Volume One'.
Caron Wheeler then left to pursue a solo career, however, the groups integrity was maintained with 'Keep On Movin' achieving success in the U.S. clubs.
The album went to the top of the U.K. charts.
Jazzie B and Nellee Hooper's arrangement of Sinead O'Connor's UK number 1, 'Nothing Compares To You', showed a growing maturity.
The pairing also collaborated with the Fine Young Cannibals and Neneh Cherry.
The band's second album was released halfway through 1990 and included Courtney Pine and Kym Mazelle within it's line-up.
Kym Mazelle also featured on the single 'Missing You', as Jazzie B showcased his new label Funki Dred, backed by Motown Records.
Nellee Hooper went on to work with several popular acts of the early '90s, including Massive Attack ('Blue Lines'), Björk ('Debut and Post'), Madonna ('Bedtime Stories'), and U2 ('Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me').
vol. III: Just Right - 1992 / volume IV - the classic singles '88-93 - 1993
The follow-up album release 'Volume III, Just Right' made its debut at number 3 in the U.K. album charts.
That set included 'Move Me No Mountain' and 'Just Right', which made the Top 30.
Jazzie B would spent some of 1993 co-producing James Brown's first album of the 90's, 'Universal James'.
believe - 1995 / time for change - 1997
The group's fourth studio album, Volume 5' was released in July 1995 and saw the return of Caron Wheeler.
The hit single, 'Love Enuff', was, however, sung by ex-Snap! singer Penny Ford.
jazzie b and do'reen waddell
In 2002, the lead singer on the groups 'Fair Play' twelve, Do'reen Waddell was killed after shoplifting from an Essex branch of a Tescos Superstore.
Do'reen ran out onto a motorway, where she was struck by three vehicles. She was 36 years old.
at the africa centre - 2003 / the africa centre, covent garden, london
2003, saw the release of 'Soul II Soul At The Africa Centre', an album of remixes taken from the 80's Africa Centre Sessions.
Albums:
Club Classics, Vol. 1 (Virgin Records 1989)
Vol. II: 1990, A New Decade (Virgin Records 1990)
Vol. III: Just Right (Virgin Records 1992)
Volume IV - The Classic Singles '88-93 (Virgin Records 1993)
Vol. V: Believe (Virgin Records 1995)
Time for Change (Island Records 1997)
Soul II Soul At The Africa Centre (Island Records 2003)
