Now, ultimate pop sensation Alexandra Burke returns with a brand new single ‘Elephant’ featuring Erick Morillo, is due for release via RCA Records on March 12th.

Watch the the new video.

Leona Lewis to play ‘Angels In Concert’ show

Leona Lewis has just confirmed that she will be performing with Natasha Bedingfield and Friends at the exclusive ‘Angels In Concert’ show on December 2nd.

Leona Lewis, multi-million selling platinum artist and three time Grammy Award nominee, has now topped charts in over 30 countries across the world. Her debut album  ‘Spirit’ made her the first British solo artist to go straight to the top the Billboard 200 with a debut album while her debut single “A Moment Like This” broke a world record after it was downloaded 50,000 times in 30 minutes. She has since had seven Top 5 UK hits and sold over 10 million albums. Her third album ‘Glassheart’ is scheduled for release early next year.

The ‘Angels In Concert’ show is part of a major celebratory charity evening on behalf of Global Angels. It follows straight on from the inaugural Global Angels Awards and dinner at the Four Star Park Plaza Hotel, 200 Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7UT.

Among others also appearing with Natasha Bedingfield are the Grammy nominated musician John Forte  and DJ Oisin Lunny. As an added bonus Daniel Bedingfield will be playing an acoustic set earlier in the evening.

Commenting on Leona’s addition to the bill Natasha Bedingfield said   “I’m thrilled to announce that Leona and Joss have agreed to join me for this amazing evening – it’s going to be such a fun night! I can’t think of anything better than live music on stage with my friends who are exceptional performers, loved all over the world for their vocal brilliance. I love what Global Angels is about and the incredible effect the organisation has on people’s lives. I’m really looking forward to this event and I’m so grateful for the support that Leona and Joss bring to Daniel, John Forte and I by being involved in it.”

Tickets for the two and a half hour concert are available now priced £55 and £70 from angelevents@globalangels.org or by phone on 0207 484 5408. A small number of VIP tickets are also available. Tickets can also be purchased from www.seetickets.com subject to booking fee.

Doors open at 8.30pm, concert starts at 9pm. Dress code: Elegant with a touch of gold. Entrance is by Plaza Suite to Westminster Ballroom.

Global Angels is the 100% charity that helps disadvantaged children and communities across the world. It is an international charity that work in partnerships resourcing best-practice-projects empowering children, young people and communities – their ‘100% Projects’. Every penny received from public donations goes directly to the ‘100% Projects’ providing water, food, education, homes, medical care and resources to transform lives.

One of the last songs to be produced by the legendary Martin Rushent (The Stranglers, Shirley Bassey, Altered Images, The Buzzcocks and, most famously, the Human League’s ‘Dare’) before his untimely death earlier this year, Boo Shuffle fizzes with energy and is sure to put the band right back in the hit parade where they belong.

With their sassy songs and their referencing of the girl groups of the late fifties The Pipettes had remarkable success. A top ten album in Japan where the single ‘Pull Shapes’ was only kept off the number one spot by J-Lo, top ten radio positions all across Europe, two Top Forty hits in the UK and a Top Ten in the US billboard indies. They played on the main stages at Reading and Glastonbury, blazed a British trail across the states, conquered the world and sold a heap of records. Their second album of ‘Earth Vs The Pipettes‘ saw a move towards the sounds of Chic-inspired seventies disco and eighties chart music, but “Boo Shuffle” sees a return to the fifties / sixties retro vibe of the material that made their name.

Singer and songwriter Ani Saunders says, “The song’s named after my shuffling hamster Boo (RIP) and more or less represents exactly what The Pipettes are about (the song that is, not the hamster). We like to sing pop songs, we like to dance, and we like to have a good time. It’s got dance moves and directions, and it’s the perfect opportunity for everyone to have fun and let go a little. Let’s face it, it’s pretty gloomy out there at the moment and this song always lightens the mood.”

The B-side is a remix by Martin Rushent, who the band are devastated to have lost, having grown close to him and his family during the recording of their album at his home studio. Famed for the album ‘Love And Dancing‘, a remix reinterpretation album of the Human League’s ‘Dare‘ which changed dance music forever, this remix was to have been the start of his second such project, an album of remixes of ‘Earth Vs The Pipettes‘. As Ani says, “It was an honour and a privilege to have worked with Martin. This single is a tribute to him and a big thank you to the whole Rushent family.”

Already a huge live favourite with the band’s fans, “Boo Shuffle” comes complete with a dance moves video made with London’s all girl 60s dance troupe The Actionettes and is odds on to be the number one dance song at parties across the land this Christmas. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to do the boo shuffle!

The Pipettes return with Boo Shuffle tracklisting:
1. Boo Shuffle (Radio Edit) 3.33
2. Boo Shuffle 4.00
3. Stop the Music (Martin Rushent Remix) 3.46

The Pipettes release Boo Shuffle on Fortuna POP! as a 7” vinyl & digital download on 14 November 2011.

For more information visit The Pipettes Website.

2011 has been no exception in the style stakes, with pop stars in the public eye queuing up to show off their new looks –which have ranged from the classical (think Cheryl Cole) to the fantastical (hands up Lady Gaga).  Here we look at some of the style choices made by pop stars so far this year, how they have been reported and what the public reaction has been.

Katy Perry

The California Girls singer may have waxes lyrical about the benefits of “Daisy Dukes, Bikinis on Top” but her own style is starting to sway a little from the skin tight bodycon looks that she has favoured so far.

A recent appearance on the UK X-Factor saw the number one pop princess ditching the risqué and revealing outfits that finally tamed famed womaniser Russell Brand in favour of a demure combination of wide-leg black trousers with a short-sleeved sheer off white blouse complete with unfastened bow tie.

Debbie Gibson

80s pop starlet Debbie Gibson may be making a bid for the big time again with her appearance on the celebrity apprentice, but her chosen style for the shoot left little to the imagination sparking whispers of mutton from the fashion press.

The once iconic “Electric Youth” singer stepped out in New York wearing a short denim skirt and cutaway top that would not have looked out of place on a woman less than half her age, and while the outfit didn’t cover much, it certainly secured her some coverage.

Jennifer Hudson

This divine diva is looking better than ever in 2011 after a long-term approach to weight loss began to show dividends. The Dream Girls Star and platinum selling artiste this year faced accusations of having undergone secret gastric band surgery, claims that have been strongly refuted by her management, who attribute her changing shape to hard work and a strict diet.

And with a new shape has come a whole new level of style, with Jennifer opting for smart tailored pieces that really flatter her newly honed curves.

Leann Rimes

Another singer whose weight has been under scrutiny this year is Leann Rimes, whose shrinking form has been the subject of mass speculation, all of which Rimes assures us is unwarranted. The singer and screen star, who rose to fame with her single Blue recorded when she was just 11-year-old, said that the changes in her body were a “natural progression” and slammed critics as irresponsible.

Certainly, the married stepmom is looking fantastic this year and has been photographed steeping out in a number of bohemian inspired outfits that inspired a little envy in us all.

Roxanne de Bastion grew up in Berlin where she began her love affair with music and performance at the tender age of ten. She moved over to the UK in 2007, equipped only with a guitar and a one-way ticket, and she’s never looked back. Her previous single One Morning was accompanied by an enchanting video, shot in her hometown of Berlin, and was extremely well received by BBC 6 Music.

This self-titled EP is characterised by its laid back, minimalist guitar and intelligent lyrics shaped by Roxanne de Bastion’s enchanting voice, creating a whimsical landscape littered with video game references, introspection and an underlying current of innocence that allows her to deliver some incredible lyrical barbs. This is an impressive collection of vocally driven compositions and, much like her stylistic influences (Bob Dylan and Regina Spektor), they demand the listener’s undivided attention for Roxanne’s masterful song writing skills to take full effect.

Alicia Keys' Songs in A Minor - Deluxe and Collector's 10th anniversary editions

Originally released in June 2001, Songs in A Minor sold more than 11 million albums worldwide and earned Alicia Keys win her first five, of 14 total, Grammy® Awards including Best New Artist, Best Song of the Year for “Fallin,” and Best R&B Album.

On Monday, 27th June, MBK/J Records/Legacy Recordings will release new Deluxe and Collector’s 10th anniversary editions of Alicia Keys’ Songs in A Minor, the groundbreaking debut album masterpiece that propelled a then-teen-aged Keys into international stardom in 2001.

Available in a 2-CD Deluxe Edition and a 2-CD/1-DVD Collector’s Edition, the 10th Anniversary sets include songs in A minor era bonus tracks, demos, live performances and more, hand-picked by Alicia for her fans for these editions.

The two disc Deluxe Edition will include the original songs in A minor in its entirety in addition to a second disc featuring two previously unreleased recordings: the original funky blues demo for “If I Was Your Woman” and an early version of “Typewriter,” recorded in Alicia’s Harlem apartment in 1997.  The second disc also features hard-to-find rarities from the era including “A Woman’s Worth” (Remix) featuring Nas, “Juiciest” (Mixtape version), “Fallin’” (“Ali” Soundtrack Version) and “Butterflyz” (The Drumline Mix).

The enhanced second CD in the Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition of Songs in A Minor includes “A Harlem Love Story,” the story behind the inspiration for the “Fallin’”/”A Woman’s Worth” videos, featuring new narration by Alicia Keys.  The original videos and new edit are directed by Chris Robinson.  (“A Harlem Love Story” may also be found on the Collector’s Edition DVD.)

The three disc 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition of Songs in A Minor contains the complete original album and a second CD featuring a treasure trove of album-era collectibles including the previously unreleased tracks “Ghetto Man” (featuring Poet muMs da Schemer), “I Won’t (Crazy World)” (an original song from Alicia’s first demo) and “Girlfriend” (Krucial Keys Sista Girl Mix – The UK Video Remix Edit).

The second CD in the Collector’s Edition showcases three previously unreleased live performances — “I Got A Little Something,” “Piano Mashup,” and a cover of the Doors’ “Light My Life” — recorded in Seattle on August 10, 2002.

The Collector’s Edition of Songs in A Minor also includes an exclusive bonus DVD premiering a revelatory Songs in A Minor documentary offering an up-close account behind the making of the album.  Family, friends and close collaborators share their perspectives on the struggles and triumphs encountered in the making of Alicia’s first record.

The film combines archival footage from the road, television appearances, music videos from Songs in A Minor, rare photographs and more to reveal the intimate and compelling story behind a legendary album.  This documentary is an up-close and behind the scenes account on the making of Alicia Keys’ first album with interviews with family members, friends, J Records executive Clive Davis, original manager Jeff Robinson, longtime collaborator and producing partner Kerry “Krucial” Brothers and many others.

The influence of classic soul and jazz greats of yesteryear comes to mind when you hear British/Ghanaian Rhian Benson sing. Her songs are effortless, elegant and timeless in a way that is rare in this era of artists.

“It’s a very important song to me. It’s about being true to yourself and being able to find the inner you in the crazy world we live in,” Rhian says of the song. The theme of the song is also reflected in the video. “It’s a really exciting video, very epic, one of the most exciting videos I have done,” she adds.

With the help of Danish rising star production duo, Daniel Fridell and Jonas Rendbo, Rhian has diligently and lovingly cooked up the ingredients for her new album title ‘Hands Clean’, which was released in February. The exciting new sound she drapes her voice across is a stark and soulful collection of pulsating electronic grooves; a hidden ground where Sade meets DJ Shadow. The MOBO Award winning artist’s sophomore album -‘Hands Clean’- represents a strong evolution of her unique style and ventures into fresh and bold sonic terrain for the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter.

The gifted songstress, musician and writer co-produced her debut album, ‘Gold Coast’, in 2003 with Grammy Award-winning producers Bob Power (Chaka Khan, A Tribe Called Quest) and James Poyser (Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo).

Rhian’s self-penned debut single ‘Say How I Feel’ was a Top 10 R&B hit in the US and Top 30 in the UK national charts.  The video for the single featuring the model Tyson Beckford and an iconic looking Rhian instantly became MTV Base’s #1 Most Played video. The BR Gunna remix of ‘Say How I Feel’ went on to become an underground hip hop classic and saw Rhian collaborate with hip hop legends Slum Village.

Rhian has recently been the focus of a CNN documentary looking at her music heritage. The singer also features in a World Bank report on Young Africans Talk Development’ series, where she emphasises the importance of helping young entrepreneurs.

‘Be’ has been remixed by Goldilocks, Sioux City Boys  Club and Sona Vabos from indie label Southern Fried Records, which has previously worked with will.i.am, Dizzee Rascal, Kelis and Benny Benassi. The track was also recently featured in the The Right Track: Tunes to TargetCancer compilation and the 2010 Miami ADCOLOUR awards compilation.

Be is the new single from Rhian Benson featuring Jonas released on 6th June.

Inna - Europe’s latest dance-pop sensation

Meet 24 year-old Romanian, Inna – Europe’s latest dance-pop sensation. While you may not know her name already, you will certainly have heard her chart-topping club anthems ‘Amazing’, ‘Hot’ and current UK top 20 single ‘Sun Is Up’.

The past year has seen Inna notch up an impressive list of stats. With an astonishing 150 million+ views on You Tube and 2.1 million Facebook friends, over 1 million records sold (including 350,000+ downloads in the UK), 21 music awards, and a US Billboard chart no. 1 to her name, Inna is gearing up for a promising UK debut album release with her first studio album, ‘Hot’.

Inna, otherwise known as Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu was born and raised in Neptun, one of Romania’s small costal resorts on the Black sea. Having sung from the tender age of eight and been inspired by the likes of Christina Aguilera, Beyonce and Shakira, Inna had ambitions for a career in music from a very early age. After a period of dividing her time between getting a good education, (she studied Philosophical Science at University post scoring high grades at high school), and trying to get ahead in the music industry (she entered numerous talent contests, including Romania’s answer to Pop Idol, The Raining Stars, and the Eurovision song contest, to no avail), Inna released her first single ‘Hot’ produced by Romanian dance music producers Play & Win in November 2008.

After topping the airplay charts in Inna’s home country, ‘Hot’ went on to become a huge hit across Europe, going platinum and topping both radio and sales charts in Russia, France, Poland, Greece, Belgium and Netherlands to name a few, while also garnering heat across the Atlantic when it successfully knocked Ke$ha’s ‘Tick Tock’ off the number one spot on US Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay Chart. Within a short space of time, Inna became a household name in numerous European countries, and her music and live performances a firm fixture in clubs worldwide.

Fast forward to 2011 and Inna has notched up three more international hit singles, (with ‘Amazing’, ‘Déjà vu’  ‘Sun Is Up’), a no. 1 album in France and countless awards, (including the 2010 MTV European Music Award for Best Romanian Act), in addition to becoming a press favourite and sex symbol across Europe. Setting a new standard for dance music, Inna has achieved more than any other artist in this field and evolved into nothing short of a dance-pop sensation, in spite of the fact that she has hailed from a country that still has no sales charts or i-Tunes.

Debut UK album “Hot” boasts a collective of infectious floor-filling tracks including previous chart hits and future ones too that have an irresistible party sound perfect for the summer ahead both here and abroad.

Hot by Inna will be released by 3 Beat records on 13th June 2011.

Lady Gaga's New Album, Born This Way

UK fans of Lady Gaga will be able to listen to her new album, Born This Way, from tomorrow, one week before its official release exclusively from Metro.co.uk.

Fans will be able to enjoy Lady Gaga’s much-hyped second album by visiting metro.co.uk/gaga, where the tracks will be streamed on a specially-developed microsite.

Metro.co.uk will be the only place UK residents will be able to listen to the album in full before its official release.

Lady Gaga – Born This Way will be officially released on Tuesday 25th May, 2011.

This is what Kate Walsh has to say about video…

“Was really lovely recording the video for ‘The Baker’ with Jo on Friday. We were blessed with the sunshine, only thing was our chairs kept falling through the holes between the stones on the beach so there were a few giggles, as always.”

Kate Walsh’s new album ‘The Real Thing‘ isn’t released until November, but every 21st of the month until then Kate is releasing a new video.

‘The Baker‘ is the second in the series of nine videos, the first release was ‘The Real Thing‘, the title track from her forthcoming album.