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.

Get Fit for London 2012

The music and fitness plan for a stronger, healthier you.

Get Fit is the title designed and timed to help inspire and motivate you for the New Year as thoughts turn to getting fit and losing those excess pounds acquired over the Christmas period.

In association with London 2012, Get Fit is full of music that has been specifically chosen by the brains behind The Workout Mix. The music sequencing ensures a steady pace of training, quickening as it progresses, and then finishing with a wind down period at the end.

Inside, an informative fold out poster booklet gives you useful training tips!

Get Fit: the music & fitness plan for a stronger, healthier you

1. Taio Cruz – Dynamite – Radio Edit
2. Noisettes – Don’t Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go) – Radio Edit
3. Bobby Brown – Two Can Play That Game – K Klassik Radio Mix
4. CeCe Peniston – Finally Album Version
5. Brothers In Rhythm – Such A Good Feeling – Radio Mix
6. Yazz, The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up
7. Sugababes – Hole In The Head – Clean Radio Edit
8. Bodyrockers – I Like The Way – Radio Edit
9. Pixie Lott Boys And Girls – Album Version
10. The Hughes Corporation – What A Feeling – Radio Edit
11. Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now – Album Version
12. The Saturdays – Just Can’t Get Enough – Radio Mix
13. Sonique – It Feels So Good – Radio Edit
14. Daniel Bedingfield – Gotta Get Thru This – Radio Edit
15. Girls Aloud – Jump
16. Donna Summer – She Works Hard For The Money – Edited Single Version
17. Michael Sembello – Maniac
18. Lighthouse Family – Lifted

Get Fit: the music & fitness plan for a stronger, healthier you is out now released by Universal Music.

London - Songs To Define The City

In association with Time Out Magazine, Universal Music has released a compilation of songs with titles which refer to places in London or the name of the city itself.  The title of the CD is London – Songs to define the city and promoted as ‘a musical souvenir of the world’s music capital’.  The compilation certainly doesn’t define the city though does come with a 24-page guide to London’s music history and pull-out map of music landmarks.  So one of those is factually correct.

London is  where memories are made and dreams fulfilled and this collection takes you on a musical journey across London from Electric Avenue to Warwick Avenue, from Baker Street to Primrose Hill.

As with all genre hopping compilations, this isn’t aimed at music purists but music lovers who enjoy a sing-a-long to the likes of ‘Waterloo Sunset’ and Streets Of London’.

London – Songs to define the city features diverse music artists such as The Kinks, The Jam, David Bowie, Pulp, Pet Shop Boys, Duffy, The Small Faces, Eddy Grant, Jamie Cullum and John & Beverley Martyn.

Personal favourites include the ‘Soho Square with the wonderfully angelic and sadly missed voice of Kirsty MacColl, Gerry Rafferty’s all-time classic ‘Baker Street’ and ‘Rainy Night in Soho’The Pogues at their very melancholic best.

London – Songs to define the city tracklisting is as follows:

1.    Roxy Music – Do The Strand
2.    Jamie Cullum – London Skies
3.    The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset
4.    Squeeze – Piccadilly
5.    Kirsty MacColl – Soho Square
6.    Pet Shop Boys – London
7.    Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
8.    Simple Minds – Chelsea Girl
9.    Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue
10.    Pulp – Bar Italia
11.    Duffy – Warwick Avenue
12.    The Jam – Strange Town
13.    Ralph McTell – Streets of London
14.    Small Faces – Itchycoo Park
15.    Bert Jansch, John Renbourn – Soho
16.    David Bowie – The London Boys
17.    Caetano Veloso – London London
18.    The Pogues – A Rainy Night In Soho
19.    John Martyn, Beverley Martyn – Primrose Hill
20.    Saint Etienne – London Belongs To Me

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.

Through the Rain by SenitThrough the Rain by Senit

Senit, the 2011 female pop singer who represented San Marino in the recent Eurovision 2011 finals in Dusseldorf with the soft rock Euro pop song, Stand By which came 16th with 34 points, has released a new single from her forthcoming new album.  The Euro Pop Music single is called Through the Rain and is taken from her fourth album which is due to be released at the end of 2011.

Through the Rain by Senit

The Italian pop star was born in Bologna of Eritrean origin.

Her first two albums were sung in Italian but with her third album Senit decided to sing all the songs in English, something she has continued on her fourth album.

Through the Rain is a Euro Dance Pop crossover with vocal similarities to a 1980’s Bonnie Tyler power ballad and Billie Ray Martin and the 1990’s dance pop sound of Electribe 101.

Though not well known in the UK, Senit performed in musical theatre productions such as Fame, The Lion King, Hair and Rent, before she decided to concentrate on a career as a pop singer.

Senit is currently putting together a 2011 European Tour that will include concerts in many European countries in order to promote the new album.

For more information visit Senit’s official website, or follow her on Facebook.

Through the Rain by Senit is now available to download from the iTunes Store and other digital download outlets.

For more information about Senit visit Believe Digital.

Sponsored Post

Combining efforts with the musical force behind such big names as Lady Gaga, Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Lopez, super-producer Red One, She Makes Me Wanna is a pop-dance smash hit. Synergising the boy’s signature smooth harmonies with the electro ‘sing-talk’ vocals of Dev, who featured on Billboard 100 number one Like a G6 this catchy number is a banger from the radio to the dance floor.

The collaboration came about at Alicia Key’s Black charity Ball last year when they bid £30,000 to win a session with the super-slick multi-Grammy Award-winning producer and this floor-filler is the result.

Ahead of the single release, Marvin, JB, Aston and Oritsé will be opening the Capital Summertime Ball with the inaugural performance of She Makes Me Wanna on June 12th.

Recently adding movie stars to their list of accolades, selling out cinemas nationwide with Eyes Wide Open, JLS’s success has been nothing short of staggering. Sold-out Arena tour. Three UK number one singles. Two multi-platinum albums.  Four MOBO Awards. Two 2010 BRIT trophies.

Sure-fire hit, She Makes Me Wanna is but a taste of the massive album to come.

For more information on JLS visit www.jlsofficial.com.

Prince Live at the Hop Farm, Kent photo: Stewart Rogers (Crawford Technologies)

As you may know, I normally write blog articles on business and management issues, mixed with music, but I simply could not resist this short post on the Hop Farm and Prince’s superb concert there on Sunday night, just for the music. There are not enough superlatives that can describe his performance, which spanned songs such as Let’s Go Crazy, 1999, Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, U Got The Look, Controversy and Play That Funky Music amongst many others over a two and a quarter hour set that put all other performances into the shade.

As well as a truly fantastic performance, we were ‘taught’ many other things by Prince with transferable value to business and personal life. Here’s a few of them:

Prince on differentiation – Without being pompous, Prince pointed out that his band offered ‘real music’ by ‘real musicians’ – quite a contrast to some of the other x-factor hopefuls and so on. At 53 years old, he proved he could still do the do, making others half his age look like quivering geriatrics.

Prince on playfulness – When he announced ‘Nothin’ Compares 2 U’ he said “I didn’t write that song. That’s Sinead O’Connor’s song” Later on he pointed out “I bought a house with that song” to the great enjoyment of the crowd. Playfulness is a vital ingredient if you are to encourage creativity in yourself and others.

Prince on emotional intelligence – There had been quite a few sound problems with other acts during the day. So, instead of coming on and belting out a big hit to start with, Prince came on and played a funk workouk to set the sound levels and get things right for the rest of the show – calling off the different musicians to come in and out of the performance to get a perfect mix. This is a big risk to take – effectively starting your show with a jam rather than a crowd pleaser.

So a big thank you to Vince Power and the people at the Hop Farm. I never thought I’d get to see Prince on my doorstep but, last night, dreams came true.

Peter Cook is the Rock’n’Roll Business Guru, delivering exceptional corporate events and keynote speeches that blend business and music.

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.