The slickest soul sounds around are emanating from a tiny studio in Little Germany.

That's the headquarters of Visual Sounds Interactive, a five-piece hip-hop crew who have already made waves with music industry insiders.

VSI are hoping their embryonic career as Bradford's answer to The Fugees will be given a major boost when two of their number feature on a new television programme highlighting up-and-coming musicians.

Rapper Rad and vocal prodigy Jade were both interviewed by long-serving Radio One DJ John Peel for a new series which is due to be screened on Channel 4 in March.

VSI also feature rappers Johnny Lone, Monument and Mr Talkative and have been ensconced in their own studio in Peckover Street since June.

"Hip-hop is our essence, which we also use as a backbone for all kinds of music styles such as R 'n' B, soul, drum 'n' bass, garage and house," said Rad.

But it is the burgeoning talents of 15-year-old Jade which have really created a stir.

Still a pupil at Dixons City Technology in Bradford, she clearly impressed Peel with her outstanding vocals, which range from uptempo soul to entrancing trip-hop.

Jade was filmed talking to the presenter at Undercliffe Cemetery, near her home, about her ambitions to emulate her singing idols, and also singing live to him in Rad's bedroom.

VSI the band - as opposed to the recording studio - came into being as Rad hooked up with the other Bradford-based members and realised they had a wealth of diverse talents between them.

They had mostly been DJing in other guises in and around Bradford, except for Jade, whose first real musical experience dates back to a Stars In Their Eyes-style school show.

Since those days of doing gospel versions of songs like Killing Me Softly, she has come a long way.

"When John Peel came up to see us, Jade just started singing in front of him and he didn't know where it was coming from," said Rad.

"He was stunned. The thing about Jade is, though, she's so modest."

As well as being about to make their TV debut, VSI have put together an impressive showreel demo featuring tracks such as Call On His Name, Friday and What's Yo Angle? And they run their studio in Little Germany as a going concern for other bands, providing a service they feel has been largely lacking in Bradford in the past.

"The main thing about this city is that there are a lot of rock and indie bands but there have been no studios that do sampler-based music," said Rad.

But he is optimistic that Bradford could be about to witness the start of a dance music boom.

"We have got a big agenda and there is a lot of work to do. But I feel that what's going to happen here is like what has already happened in places like Bristol," said Rad.

l CD copies of the VSI demo are available at £5. For more information, ring (01274) 700677.

Simon Ashberry

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