Keni Stevens
Keni Stevens is a British soul singer known for his smooth vocals and contributions to the UK soul scene since the late 1970s. He rose to prominence in the 1980s with his acclaimed album Blue Moods. His career spans session work, band involvement, and recent recording projects.
Born to a cabaret singer mother and a US serviceman father from Philadelphia, Stevens grew up influenced by 1960s music. He spent much of his youth in care and formed early bands while in a children's home in Harpenden, later moving to north-west London.
Stevens played with bands like Raw Energy, which had a deal with Ariola Records, and worked for NEMS Records, handling duties for artists like Marianne Faithfull. His solo breakthrough came with the 1986 single "Nightmoves," leading to Blue Moods (1987), featuring hits like "Cannot Live Without Your Love," which topped soul charts.
Key Works... Debut solo singles: "All Day, All Night" (1986), "Nightmoves;" Albums: Blue Moods (1987), noted for its velvety soul and reggae influences; Later: Session singing for 1980s pop/soul acts, label ownership, and recent studio work with ex-Central Line's Steve Salvari.
Stevens has focused on music promotions and events but returned to performing, including a cameo at Steve Salvari's gig. His music remains played on platforms like NTS.
Blue Moods
Written By – G. Ingram/K. Stevens 5.22
A2 Spend The Night
Written-By – K. Stevens 6.48
A3 Shine
Written-By – K. Stevens, R, Anderson 4.41
B1 Night Moves
Written-By – A. Sojka 5.40
B2 Passionate
Written-By – K. Stevens, R. Anderson 6.00
B3 Too Much Too Soon
Written-By – A. Sojka, K. Stevens, R. Morrison 5.04
B4 Cannot Live Without Your Love 4.52
Written-By – K. Stevens
Label: Jam Today – KENI LP1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul
Keni Stevens' debut album, Blue Moods, is a 1987 UK soul/jazz-funk record known for its smooth, captivating sound and sophisticated production by Andy Sojka. The album has been described as a "lifestyle record" that blends R&B influences with a Caribbean syncopation, appealing across the UK.
Blue Moods is a standout release in the UK soul scene of the late eighties. The album is often described by fans as "soothing and captivating". Stevens himself has noted that the album was very much a reflection of the 80s environment and his life at the time, indicative of the soulful sounds popular during that era.
The album received significant public and critical acclaim upon its release in 1987 on the Jam Today label, following the success of its 12-inch singles.
The most high-profile track on the album is the sultry, mid-tempo ballad "Cannot Live Without Your Love". This single helped propel the album's success and was featured on several popular soul compilation albums.
Expanded editions of the album feature additional bonus and remix tracks. You can often find the track listing and purchase options on sites like Discogs or Amazon.