TRADING in a slick brand of laid-back dance grooves proved a massive success for Soul II Soul at the end of 1980s.

After their biggest hit, Back To Life hit the number one spot it seemed they had the midas touch.

Unlike a swathe of their British contemporaries the band enjoyed considerable success in America, which is notoriously sniffy when it comes to English music - with the obvious exception of The Beatles.

They may not have released a record in nearly a decade but their influence on the music scene over the last 15 years is can easily be traced in the smooth production values of countless chart dance acts.

Thankfully, the music never went away and the crew headed by DJ Jazzie B recently reformed as a touring act. Their main behind the decks has just returned from far more exotic climes in Dubai.

"It was a fantastic time over there and a great crowd of people, the place had really changed since my last visit. It’s totally mad," said Jazzie in his laid-back tones.

Despite the band’s recording hiatus, he has kept himself well occupied in his Camden studios. Production jobs for the likes of James Brown, The Chimes and The Fine Young Cannibals have offered up another challenge for him.

Not that he especially needs the cash with this sideline, having helped his group to world-wide sales of more than seven million records. Then there’s the small matter of royalties from their chart-topper Keep On Moving being used in the Renault Clio adverts.

"We’ve been getting loads of requests to get back together with the live set, but I’ve been busy helping up and coming artists. The rest of the time I’ve just been keeping up with normal life like going out to Marks and Spencers really!"

There’s no doubt he is still hungry for the music, which he studied from his five brothers.

The family originally came from Antigua, where he still plays an annual festival which has been a firm highlight down the years. He studied piano in his youth during the 1970s and listened to everything from Raggae and Calypso to David Bowie.

Starting up as Jazzie B and the Funki Dreds (after their dreadlocked hair) the group played at house parties before being spotted by Virgin Records.

With vocalist Caron Wheeler on board, they scored a hit with Keep On Movin, before the release of Back To Life which saw them gain global recognition. Did they anticipate just how big they were going to be?

"I wasn’t in the country when it went to number one, but it was a fantastic moment, like when you first here your records on the radio."

Five albums down the line, they have achieved more than most. Life outside of music appears fine for Jazzie, who is married to a former model Efua.

"She is a personal trainer now and makes sure we’ve all had our porridge! Their young son Mahlon plays bass (with dad managing his football team) and his sister Jessye is learning music at school."

As for his own work, it seems the group may well be on its way back into the studio within the near future.

There have been many amazing events along the way for the likeable DJ, but does he have a favourite?

"I think that would have to be the fact I still get nervous before gigs, even after all these years. There’s no one thing that has been my absolute highlight, but playing top of the Pops for the first time has to be up there. I love the travelling too."

Soul II Soul were due to play the Spafest event on September 8 at the Hop Farm which has now been cancelled. Their next gig is at Herbal, 10-14 Kingsland Road, London, E2.