Black Music and Jazz Review
- Place of Publication: London, United Kingdom
- Language: English
- Date of Publication: 1978-1984
- Editors: Geoff Brown & Chris May
- Publishers: IPC Specialist & Professional Press
- Type: Citation Only
Black Music & Jazz Review was the successor to Black Music (London, 1973-1975). Begun originally as a magazine devoted to Black music in its various forms in the 1970s, jazz was added to its title and the magazine was effectively restarted as a new publication, beginning anew with vol. 1 no. 1. Geoff Brown served as editor until vol. 2 no. 2 (1979), with his last six issues labeled as “Disco Special.” With the third issue of 1979, the writer and saxophonist Chris May became editor and he would continue until the magazine’s merger into Blues & Soul. Issues ranged from 40 to 60 pages each and were sold in both the UK and USA.
Black Music & Jazz Review covered the wide range of Black music then popular: reggae, soul, R&B, funk, jazz (mainstream bop and avant-garde), hip hop, two tone, electro, blues, disco, and more. Artists profiled spanned a wide spectrum: Herbie Hancock, Roberta Flack, The Specials, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Hubbard, Sam & Dave, Sylvester, Diana Ross, James Blood Ulmer, Steel Pulse, Rick James, Wynton Marsalis, George Clinton, Prince, Bob Marley, Michal Jonzun, Linton Kwesi Johnson, the band Irakere, Afrika Bambaataa, and many, many more. Of particular note is the significant attention paid to African music, including Afrobeat, Juju, Highlife, Township Jazz, Afro-Pop, Hip Hop, and many other related genres. Much of the writing on Africa displays a political edge, reflecting the confluence of music and sociopolitical issues across the continent in the 1980s. Among the many artists discussed and profiled are Fela Kuti, Sunny Ade, Segun Adewale, Ebenezer Obey, Hugh Masekela, the Orchestre Jazira, Miriam Makeba, Thomas Mapfumo, Dudu Pukuwana, and many others.
Copious records are reviewed in the columns Afro Heat, Reggae (singles and albums), and Soul / Jazz. Early issues also include regular columns on Disco and new hot albums. A list of record sales charts in both the US and UK is a regular feature. Back covers feature a poster photograph which a reader could cut out and hang on a wall.