Soul of the UK: Jazzie B of Soul II Soul launches Classic Collection line for Harvey Nichols

The DJ, producer and face of the iconic Soul II Soul movement - Jazzie B - has launched his clothing line The Classics Collection at Harvey Nichols this month.

Jazzie B in Harvey Nichols launching The Classics Collection. Photo: Supersleen instagram

The Leeds store's first floor became a reinvention of Soul II Soul's Camden clothes store (in the 80s and 90s) on Thursday evening, with retro posters and vinyl trinkets from the group's archive. The loveable funk-master's infamous voice richly filled the room as he cracked jokes and he was very approachable in-between his DJ set, laughing with fans and taking photos.

Lloyd Bradley, author of Bass Culture was on hand to host a Q & A session. He began by noting the super-producer's backwards route of beginning his career with a fashion-line and then moving in to music.

Jazzie B is proud to fly the flag for Britain: The Soul II Soul clothes were handmade in Britain. Photo: Harvey Nichols

The Funki Dred logo which dons the clothes is drawn by illustrator Derek Yates - and the original T-shirts were sold as the group began gaining momentum. Jazzie B explained that the idea behind Funki Dred (and Soul II Soul) was the community idea being inclusive and affirming a British identity.

In connection with that - comics - which were always a part of the Soul II Soul brand were also given out during the evening. Jazzie said: "The idea was we came from a planet called Ard, and we were sent to the earth as pleasure-givers, to put on parties and get into the funk."

He continued about the group's mission: "We wanted to have the biggest sound-system in the world with our own followers that were inclusive, not exclusive - because growing up at that time (60s and 70s), we didn't have a group to connect with. The mods didn't want to know us, nor did the teddy boys. We were only accepted by the skinheads and punks."

He set-up the story about the humble beginnings of the Soul II Soul style of life which begun around 25 years ago - how his technicality as a sound-man mixed with his street-wise ways landed him a record contract.

And Jazzie B was sincere in his affirmation of Britain being a land of opportunity and  his appreciation of Harvey Nichols - who being a window of that mentality- would celebrate Soul II Soul's  history and impact.

To see more of The Classics Collection available to buy from Harvey Nichols which begin at £45, click here and follow Jazzie B on Twitter here.

Soul II Soul Club Classics Vol.1: The multi-platinum debut in 1989 includes Keep on Movin and Back to Life (However Do You Want Me). It introduced people to bass heavy dance music in an irresistable way and created a British movement. Photo: Discogs

Black or White: Opinion piece

The "blackface" issue has cropped up again. Within days of each other I saw Iman Bowie and Ebony Magazine post examples on Instagram:

The photos are from May's Dutch Vogue; In a tribute spread to Marc Jacobs called "Heritage Heroes”,  models are dressed up in the style of Grace Jones and Josephine Baker.

The fashion industry should be trying to improve its standards, not go backwards - in any aspect.

In some spreads, girls are made up in all sorts of colours, and that can be beautiful, creative art but in instances as the Dutch Vogue, a black model could simply have been hired and it would have been a beautiful tribute without controversy.

Maybe it was done just for publicity, but it's an unnecessary debate, when "blackface" is a reference to times when white people performed minstrel shows.

East is East: An opinion

The children have a right to know - Ella

What do you mean, "right"? - George

Somehow, when I originally watched East is East years ago, I didn't take into account that the film focuses on men being forced into unhappy marriages.

I'm so used to thinking of arranged and forced marriages from a woman's perspective that I forgot about the hard situation men are put in.

East is East

There are a couple of real life scenarios I know of which should have opened my eyes:

Scenario 1

A Pakistani family (including the extended family) all live under one roof. They own businesses which must remain in the family. So the eldest boy and eldest girl from the relevant families must marry:-

• Boy - has a girlfriend, the family know but don't speak about it.
• Both are told it is time for you two to marry.
• Both speak with each other and don't want to.
• Girl receives the most pressure because, boy says publically - " I will marry her, she doesn't want to".
• They get married, he still cheats on her with the longtime girlfriend.

Scenario 2

• Boy is dating/in love, but gets told to get married in an arranged marriage. In this case, the boy just agrees despite heart not being in it.
• (In East is East, Tariq puts up a fight but cannot reason with his father who gives his son no say in the matter - this will be a true to life scenario).
• The boy ends up married, unhappy, and cheats  on his wife.

While watching East is East this week, it did make me think, "why can't all (Pakistani) men fight for their freedom like Tariq's character does?" Instead, they cowardly choose to live an unhappy life and ultimately make their wives unhappy.

The boy in scenario one, told me when he was venting, that he wasn't bothered whether he married his cousin or not. When I told him he should tell the elders  he wanted to marry his girlfriend, he said it was in his best interest not to. He would rather live an easy life, where the pressure is put on the girl, and he can do no wrong, because after all, he is a man.

I wonder, do boys like the ones in East is East exist anymore? 

I think a lot of Asian families that live in the UK have progressed, especially if our parents grew up here, but there are sections of the community which still use marriage as a tool of control, not of happiness.

Whether it's  to control women, or to control businesses, the mentality needs to be abolished. The men need to respect themselves by treating their wives respectfully if they choose to marry them.

I know I'm generalising - I know of marriages which were arranged in a mutual way between all parties and handled in a caring way. How some parents can pressure their children to marry without a care for their happiness is what baffles me.

The Forced Marriage Unit

If you or someone you know is being forced into marriage either  in the UK or abroad, you can contact the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU).

The FMU helps and advises men and women who are being forced into marriage.

The FMU’s caseworkers also understand the issues that
people from the LGBT community can face, including the family  pressures and how difficult it is to talk about these situations.
They do not judge.

The FMU offers confidential support and information and can also put you in touch with organisations that can support you.

You have a right to choose, and the FMU is there to help you.

You can:
Call (+44) (0)20 7008 0151 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday

Emergency Duty Officer 
(outside office hours) 
(+44) (0)20 7008 1500

OR e-mail: fmu@fco.gov.uk

Find out more about the work of the FMU at 
www.fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage