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Natalie Williams and The Soul Family

March 2009 | R&B

Soul Family Vol.1 brings together a selection of some of the most respected and accomplished, but not necessarily well known, UK live soul vocalists and musicians on the scene today. The "Soul Family" night has been going for more than six years - from its humble origins as a night of jamming and improvisation in a North London basement to its current monthly residence in Soho's famous jazz club Ronnie Scott's - and is the baby of London based soul singer Natalie Williams. We wanted to know more about the "Soul Family" night and Natalie's plans for 2009 - so we caught up with her just before she went on stage at Ronnie Scott's...

The interview

It's been a year since we last spoke to you - what have you been up to since then?

I've been playing live and going into the studio and finishing the new songs. Although they are not completely finished yet, I am hoping in the next month or two they will be all locked down...

So tell us about the "Soul Family" night...

It started as a one night thing. It was born in a basement in a pub in Angel - I can't even remember the name of it. This was six years ago. In the beginning, it was a little jam session in a basement - we could only fit about 20 people in there. Then we moved onto another place - WKD in Camden. And then my label got behind it and started helping out, so we moved to a venue called the Rex on Wardour St. Then Too 2 Much (which is now the Soho Revue Bar) and then to Ronnie Scott's... which brings us up to date! So it's kind of been progressing all the time.

We're in Ronnie Scott's now, an iconic venue for jazz, blues and soul. Is this the perfect home for the "Soul Family" night?

Definitely. I think when people come down they expect to see something that is pretty good because of the name and the history. So I guess there is a bit of pressure, but the buzz helps you make it happen. In April we're doing a special night - Ronnie's is 50 years old this year and so is Motown Records, so we're doing a "Motown Soul Family" for three nights which will be good.

Does "Natalie Williams presents Soul Family Vol.1" showcase some of the artists who play at the night?

It's basically all my favourite guests, artists and friends who have performed at "Soul Family". It's a real complete mix of stuff, a selection of some wicked artists. There are a few non-Brits like Brendan Reilly who is an American singer and Jonas, who is Swedish.

What are the highlights on the album?

It's a real mixed bag - it's got your edgy, broken beat influence, like the Brotherly track Put It Out. Vula's track is dancey. Then you've got your mellow tracks - Last Kiss Goodnight by Neil Thomas. He's a slow acoustic-soul kind of man who plays guitar. Sharlene Hector's on it as well. I can't pick a favourite to be honest, but I think there is something there for everyone.

What else is coming up for you in 2009 then?

I'd love to take "Soul Family" on the road - it's been so successful at Ronnie's and it always sells out. It would be a cool thing to take to festivals. The other thing coming up is a TV show called "Sound Tribe", which is based on the "Soul Family" night. There is a house band and I host it - we have guest artists, I present it and interview the artists and they do a track with my band. We've done a pilot, so hopefully that will take off. We just need to find an outlet for it!

And are there any tips you have for 2009?

Check out the album! Everyone on the record - people like Tawiah, who has a real edgy kind of slightly rocky influence, but is an amazing soul artist at the same time - a real mix of Jill Scott and Skunk Anansie. I think there is a lot of talent that soul fans need to find out about. I hope some of these people break through.