As the new Brit Awards Trophy was unveiled following a makeover by Vivienne Westwood after 34 years, two of the recipients of the trophy in 2011 take us back 30 or 40 years, with a genuine retro feel to their music. Two of the main category winners at the Brits Awards 2011 have their roots firmly placed in the soul music of the 1960s and 1970s. Plan B aka Ben Drew won the British Male Solo Artist and Cee Lo Green International Male Solo Artist, and by doing so they are carrying on the legacy of the great Soul music legends from the great Soul record labels, notably Tamla Motown, Atlanta and Stax.

From the perspective of an “old” 40 something soul man, it is fantastic to see these contemporary artists taking the traditions of soul music and adapting them for a new and young audience; and equally it is very re-assuring to see that young audience appreciate it!! In the case of Plan B, I would love to see his “Plan A”, because his second string is pure genius!! His fusion of edgy urban rap with soft, sensitive soul is nothing short of brilliant. To marry the two genres so successfully and seamlessly takes some doing. Plan B might sound like Motown legends, Smokey Robinson or Stevie Wonder, but the content as so brilliantly illustrated by his stage show at the Brit Awards Ceremony, is all about urban tensions and disenfranchisement. Whilst Motown music was uplifting and optimistic, Plan B’s music is very much the reverse – mournful, morose and moribund.

Meanwhile Cee Lo Green is a more traditional soul singer, embracing the “campness” and white suits of the 1970s soul and disco scene, reminiscent of Barry White, Carl Douglas and George McCrae. And although his music, unlike Plan B, is less packaged for the youth market, the kids have nevertheless embraced it with equal vigour!! So the good news is that Soul music is alive and well, fifty years after Berry Gordy first implemented his vision when he founded the Tamla Motown record label.

If you are a traditional 1960s and 1970s Soul music fan, why not honour the memory of the late lamented James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, Billie Holliday and so many others, by ordering your favourite Soul vinyl record or CD, framed and mounted, by clicking on…….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/ …….. and this way bring some soul into your living room in 2011!!

Alternatively this would make a unique present and original gift for a special celebration  ie a 40th or 50th Birthday, A Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For those who prefer digitalised music, download your favourite tunes from Brit Award winners and nominees, by clicking on……….. http://web2txt.co.uk/ Here is the full list of Brit Awards 2011 Winners –

British Male Solo Arist – Plan B
British Breakthough Act – Tinie Tempah
International Album – Arcade Fire, ‘The Suburbs’
Critic’s Choice – Jessie J
International Male Solo Artist – Cee Lo Green
British Single – Tinie Tempah, ‘Pass Out’
International Group – Arcade Fire
International Breakthrough Act – Justin Bieber
British Female Solo Arist – Laura Marling
International Female – Rihanna
British Group – Take That
Mastercard British Album Of The Year   – Mumford And Sons, ‘Sigh No More’

For more info, go to the Brit Awards website……. www.brits.co.uk/