ISSUE 1051 INTERVIEWS: Osibisa (Cover), Mary Wilson, Bicep, Jon Batiste, Al Castellana, American DJ Spen, Bradd Marquis, Tristan and Heistheartist.
 
B&S COLUMNISTS THIS ISSUE: Ralph Tee (modern soul), Ben Lovett (dance), Bigger (r&b), Richard Searling (northern soul) and Frank Elson (northen soul) takes a look back at issue 120 and his October 1973 Checking Out The North column.
 
REGULAR FEATURE: Duncan Payne takes his Blues & Soul Years time machine back to what was happening in 1981. Worthy mentions this issue go to Chris Hill, Colin Hudd, Pete Tong, Steve Dennis, Steve Allen, Mike Shaft, Colin Curtis, Frankie Beverly, Jones girls, Level 42, Begger & Co., Central Line, Imagination Light Of The World, Freeez, Earth Wind & Fire, D. Train and Stevie Wonder.
 
CHARTS: B&S Upfront Urban Chart, Bigger’s R&B Smoove Grooves Chart, Ben Lovett’s Grooveyard Essentials Dance Chart and the coolest chart in the universe, the r&b, soul and everything in between banger chart, otherwise known as the Hip List. This issue also includes Richard Searling's Dance Party Playlist and charts and poll winners from 1981.
 
REGULAR FEATURE: Soulful Social... where readers can have their say.