Soul Underground
Encyclopedia
Soul Underground was a UK-based music magazine covering ‘underground’ black music and dance music
, which launched in 1987 and ceased publication in January 1991.
The magazine was conceived as a reaction to what co-founders Darren Reynolds and David Lubich saw as the failure of the mainstream music press to cover the growth of an underground dance music scene in the UK. This went beyond the music itself to the fashions, warehouse parties and subcultures that were finding their feet at the time.
From the outset, Soul Underground sought to cover a wide range of music – from the burgeoning ‘Rare Groove’ scene of the late 80s, though rap, electro, house to reggae and soul. It quickly gained a reputation for its provocative features and news reports, and its interest in writing about music from a historical and even political perspective.
Its perceived credibility amongst musicians, club and radio DJs and journalists meant that it was able to attract a very strong team of writers and photographers.
The magazine was founded as a fanzine
: its first issue had a print run of just 850 copies, and was distributed through record shops. Sales grew quickly, leading to a disagreement between Reynolds and Lubich over the direction the magazine should take (Darren wanted to preserve its ‘fanzine’ ethos, while David believed that it could evolve into a 'proper' magazine without compromising its independence and credibility). Darren left the magazine at issue 7, leaving David as publisher and editor.
As dance music made the move from underground ‘scene’ to huge commercial success, Soul Underground saw its sales and profile rise. National newsagent distribution followed in late ’89, as did limited distribution through record and clothing stores in New York.
In early 1990, Soul Underground gained a presence in New York – both in terms of sales and editorial coverage. It appointed as New York editor Leonard Abrams, former editor of the East Village Eye, who built a roster of writers and photographers and helped the magazine stay on top of the city's burgeoning hip-hop scene
', ran the first major interview with A Guy Called Gerald
and championed the emergence of a new generation of black comedians including Angie Le Mar
.
In this way, the magazine proved to be something of a career launch pad. Some of the writers, artists, photographers and DJs associated with the magazine stayed within the media, while others moved into music and fashion
Although critically successful and intermittently profitable, Soul Underground was undercapitalized and unable to cope financially with the sudden drop in ad revenue that occurred around the end of 1990. Unable to secure financial backing, Lubich was forced to close Soul Underground in January 1991
was published by Djhistory.com
in October 2010. The hardcover, 440-page book contains a selection of features, interviews, charts and news stories from each of Soul Underground's 38 issues. Catch The Beat has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from music magazines including Mojo and Record Collector, and from DJs including Greg Wilson
, who has written about it at his blog.
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
, which launched in 1987 and ceased publication in January 1991.
The magazine was conceived as a reaction to what co-founders Darren Reynolds and David Lubich saw as the failure of the mainstream music press to cover the growth of an underground dance music scene in the UK. This went beyond the music itself to the fashions, warehouse parties and subcultures that were finding their feet at the time.
From the outset, Soul Underground sought to cover a wide range of music – from the burgeoning ‘Rare Groove’ scene of the late 80s, though rap, electro, house to reggae and soul. It quickly gained a reputation for its provocative features and news reports, and its interest in writing about music from a historical and even political perspective.
Its perceived credibility amongst musicians, club and radio DJs and journalists meant that it was able to attract a very strong team of writers and photographers.
The magazine was founded as a fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
: its first issue had a print run of just 850 copies, and was distributed through record shops. Sales grew quickly, leading to a disagreement between Reynolds and Lubich over the direction the magazine should take (Darren wanted to preserve its ‘fanzine’ ethos, while David believed that it could evolve into a 'proper' magazine without compromising its independence and credibility). Darren left the magazine at issue 7, leaving David as publisher and editor.
As dance music made the move from underground ‘scene’ to huge commercial success, Soul Underground saw its sales and profile rise. National newsagent distribution followed in late ’89, as did limited distribution through record and clothing stores in New York.
In early 1990, Soul Underground gained a presence in New York – both in terms of sales and editorial coverage. It appointed as New York editor Leonard Abrams, former editor of the East Village Eye, who built a roster of writers and photographers and helped the magazine stay on top of the city's burgeoning hip-hop scene
Notable firsts
Soul Underground's network of music and culture obsessives gave it an edge in reporting on a number of hugely influential developments. It was the first magazine to cover the 'Bristol SceneBristol underground scene
The Bristol underground scene is a term used to describe the culture surrounding trip hop, drum and bass, and graffiti art that has existed in Bristol from the early 1990s to the present....
', ran the first major interview with A Guy Called Gerald
A Guy Called Gerald
A Guy Called Gerald is the stage name for the musician, record producer and DJ Gerald Simpson ....
and championed the emergence of a new generation of black comedians including Angie Le Mar
Angie Le Mar
Angie Le Mar is a British comedian, actor, writer, director, presenter and producer.Le Mar is married with three children. The eldest, Travis Jay, is a budding comedian and radio DJ.-Early life:...
.
A career launchpad
Although Soul Underground employed a number of established journalists, it gained a reputation for its ‘open door’ policy and for an ability to spot and nurture talent. A passion for music was more important than formal journalistic skills.In this way, the magazine proved to be something of a career launch pad. Some of the writers, artists, photographers and DJs associated with the magazine stayed within the media, while others moved into music and fashion
Although critically successful and intermittently profitable, Soul Underground was undercapitalized and unable to cope financially with the sudden drop in ad revenue that occurred around the end of 1990. Unable to secure financial backing, Lubich was forced to close Soul Underground in January 1991
Anthology: "Catch The Beat"
An anthology Catch the Beat: The best of Soul Underground 1987-91Catch the Beat
Catch The Beat: The best of Soul Underground 1987-91 is an anthology of the UK-based music magazine Soul Underground, which ran from 1987-1991. The hardcover, 440-page book contains a selection of features, interviews, charts and news stories from each of Soul Underground's 38 issues...
was published by Djhistory.com
Djhistory.com
DJhistory.com is a website dedicated to the history of dance music and DJing, and also an online record label and book publishing company. It aims to encourage interest in obscure, overlooked and collectible dance music , by creating an archive of reference material on the subject and by licensing...
in October 2010. The hardcover, 440-page book contains a selection of features, interviews, charts and news stories from each of Soul Underground's 38 issues. Catch The Beat has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from music magazines including Mojo and Record Collector, and from DJs including Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson is a DJ and producer associated with both the early 80’s electro scene in Manchester, and the current disco / re-edit scene, for which he’s acquired a global following...
, who has written about it at his blog.
Soul Underground main contributors
- Paul Ablett
- Leonard Abrams
- Lindsay Baker
- Baz Fe Jazz
- Brian Belle-Fortune
- Justin BerkmannJustin BerkmannBorn in London in December 1963, Justin Berkmann is the second son of Joseph Berkmann and his second wife, Jean Berkmann and younger brother of Marcus Berkmann, a successful author....
- Lisa Brinkworth
- David Corio
- Phil Crean
- Keb DargeKeb DargeKeb Darge is a Scottish DJ of the genres of Northern Soul and Rockabilly music.He began his career in local disco dance competitions in the North of Scotland, and made an appearance in the nationally televised 1979 UK disco dance finals. He was also a dancer for the Wigan Casino, whilst...
- Jon DasilvaJon DaSilvaJon Dasilva is a producer and DJ. He has had releases on labels such as Soma and Deconstruction. He is also well known for his time as a resident DJ at The Haçienda. While there, he mentored Sasha in the early 1990s.-External links:*Official Website**...
- Bill Dew
- Richard Faulks
- Muff Fitzgerald
- Tim Fielding
- Simon Fleury
- Hannah Ford
- Patrick ForgePatrick ForgePatrick Forge is a British jazz, jazz-dance and soul music DJ who spent much of the late 1980s and early 1990s DJing alongside Gilles Peterson at the famous Dingwalls club in Camden, North London....
- Patrick Gilbert
- Simon Goffe
- Michael Alan Gonzales
- Louise Gray
- Malu Halasa
- Charles Hunter
- Jasper the Vinyl Junkie
- Bob Jones
- Judge Jules
- Jazzy M
- Johnny S
- Pete Lewis
- Oliver Lim
- David Lubich
- Alison Martin
- Paul Martin
- Alexis Maryon
- Antonio Mattesini
- Ian McCann
- Mark MooreMark MooreMark Moore is a British dance music record producer and DJ. He was founder of the pop/sampling pioneers S'Express, and runs the London nightclubs, 'Electrogogo' and 'Can Can'.-Biography:...
- Patrick Moxey
- Justin Onyeka
- Dan Parker
- Olaf Parker
- Graeme Park
- Martin Pearson
- Dom Phillips
- Mike PickeringMike PickeringMichael "Duncan" Pickering has DJed at The Haçienda's infamous "Nude" and "Hot" nights and later "Shine". He worked for Factory Records where he signed Happy Mondays, To Hell With Burgundy and James amongst others...
- Andrew Pothecary
- Marcus Preece
- Kristina Raven
- Darren Reynolds
- Rhythm Doc
- Eddie RichardsEddie RichardsEddie Richards, also known as Evil Eddie, Jolly Roger, and Kode, is a British DJ, sometimes known as "Britain's godfather of house"...
- Justin RobertsonJustin RobertsonJustin Robertson is a British DJ, remixer and electronic music producer from Manchester, England. He has remixed dozens of high-profile music artists as himself or as The Prankster, fronted the group Lionrock and has released albums and singles of original music under his own name and the name...
- Jay Strongman
- Phil Strongman
- Clare Taylor
- Lindsay Wesker
- Tim Wells