caro emerald

An impromptu performance on a local TV station in her homeland of Holland led to an overnight smash for singer Caro Emerald, the track Back It Up is set to do the same in the UK when it is released on September 20th.

In Holland there was an overwhelming clamour to hear more from the new and exciting singer, but the fact was Back It Up was the only song that Caro Emerald had in the bank.

And so with her love of the music from the 40’s and 50’s Emerald and her co producers David Schreurs and Jan van Wieringen set about writing an album’s worth of new material in the same vein as the single.

The result of their efforts can be heard on the album Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor, twelve brand new tracks that will be released on October 4th through Dramatico records.

Emerald’s smouldering vocals update the classic Americano sound with a contemporary sheen and modern day suggestive lyrics, incorporating a wealth of sounds and influences.

The album falls mainly into the category of flirtatious swing  as featured on the single Back It Up, but also updates the classic movie style music of the fifties on tracks like A Night Like This and The Other Woman.

Tracks like Riviera Life, Stuck and I Know That He’s Mine, while retaining the essence of the swing theme, lean more towards contemporary pop and are a welcome break on the album preventing it from being the one dimensional affair that it does at times threaten to be.

Caro Emerald – Back It Up

The band arrived in Brighton on Monday at 4pm, having ridden into town on the second hand Chopper bicycles purchased specifically for the trip.

Scouting For Girls’ vocalist Roy Stride said;
“No one has ever attempted riding Choppers from London to Brighton before, so we are over the moon! We ache all over, but it was worth every minute as we have raised over £20,000 for WellChild. We are now going to auction the lucky Choppers off for WellChild so get bidding on Ebay!! Thank you all for being so generous. We’re now off to bed for a week to recover!”

Colin Dyer from WellChild said:
“We couldn’t be more grateful to Roy, Greg and Pete for choosing to support WellChild in this incredible way. Like most charities we spend our time trying to persuade and cajole people into fundraising for us – and helping us to raise the profile for our work. The fact that the challenge and concert has been totally the band’s idea is just amazing and I would like to thank everyone who has supported them along the way.”

WellChild is the national charity for sick children and provides practical help for children and their families. It is funded solely by the people of the UK. Scouting For Girls are official ambassadors of the charity.

Fans and well wishers are able to add to the figure already raised by donating £1.50 to the charity by texting WELLCHILD to 70444 or visiting Scouting for Girls Just Giving site.

as day follows night - sarah blasko

Captivating, spellbinding and a little bit quirky is how Sarah Blasko’s live performance has been described, so her free instore show at Rough Trade West in London on Wednesday September 1st is one that really should not be missed.

The instore gig starts at 6pm and is free to attend, no wristbands are required for entry.

On the back of her well received and critically acclaimed album As Day Follows Night, Sarah Blasko has won admirers across the UK not only for the album but also for her impressive live performances.

Having supported fellow Aussie band The Temper Trap on their UK tour in May, Blasko has also been praised for her festival appearances at Secret Garden party, V Festival and The Great Escape.

The single No Turning Back is released on September 27th, here is another chance to see the animated video to support the track.

Sarah Blasko – No Turning Back

Sarah Blasko Live UK dates:

Wednesday 1st September – FREE Instore gig at Rough Trade West, 130 Talbot Road, London W11 1JA

Tuesday 16th November – Joiners, Southampton

Wednesday 17th November – Electric Ballroom, London

Friday 19th November – King Tut’s, Glasgow

Saturday 20th November – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Sunday 21st November – Deaf Institute, Manchester

Monday 22nd November – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham

Tuesday 23rd November – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Wednesday 24th November – Audio, Brighton

Friday 26th November – The Louisiana, Bristol

Thursday 9th December – Auntie Annie’s, Belfast

Alesha Dixon

Fresh from her recent accomplishments on TV’s Strictly Come Dancing, where she was not only victorious but also offered a seat on the judging panel, the infectious Alesha Dixon returns to her first love with the release of her new single Drummer Boy and upcoming second album.

Alesha says of the new track, “This single, for me, is an event.  When you hear the drums it makes you want to move.  It’s an empowering song where the women are on top!  It felt like the perfect song to kick start the album with.”

It is certainly different to anything that you are likely to hear this year featuring drum samples from the Dallas Austin produced soundtrack to 2002’s cult movie ‘Drumline’ – the film which celebrates America’s youth culture phenomenon of the same name has penetrated the hearts of Britain’s beat-obsessed teens.

Drummer Boy is written and produced by Akon’s new protégé Shamrock, and lyricist Nate Walka.  Both are young, new talents quickly making names for themselves as international hit-makers.  Walka has already bagged a Grammy for penning the US Number 1 ‘Blame It On The Alcohol’ for Jamie Foxx, alongside his work with Chris Brown, Trey Songz and M.I.A.

Alesha – Drummer Boy

Drummer Boy is released on September 5th while the imminent album is said to be bold, rhythmic pop – mirroring the intense, all-round performer that Alesha has proved herself to be.

omar

Manchester based Maddslinky aka Zed Bias has signed to Tru Thoughts to release his new album Make A Change, which is scheduled for release on October 25th.

The first single to be taken from the album is a collaboration featuring British soul legend Omar, the track called Special will be available as a 12″ vinyl with a bonus CD of mixes. Special will be released on September13th.

The 12 inch will feature a full colour sleeve design housing a five track vinyl EP plus a ten track bonus CD. The package includes a brand new track co written with Mr Scruff, alongside several remixes from MJ Cole, Toddla T, At Jazz, Chimpo and Simbad.

An acapella version of Special performed by Omar and the original instrumental version of the track are included on the bonus CD.

Special is currently enjoying over a thousand hits a day on You Tube, check it out here:

Maddslinky feat. Omar – Special

The album Make A Change which also features further collaborations with Skream, Mr Scruff, Tawiah, Jenna G, Omar, Nile Sugar, Ghost 1 and Mighty Moe will be released on October 25th.

On the same day Tru Thoughts will be re releasing Maddlinksy’s seminal underground album Make Your Peace that was previously released in 2003.

Belleruche

As a taster from their upcoming third album 270 Stories which is released in October, Belleruche have this week released the single Clockwatching, available on 7″ vinyl and via digital download.

Belleruche released their first album in 2007, Turntable Soul Music earned the band their first taste of acceptance through the music media along with a burgeoning fanbase.

Peculiarly the band have found a massive following in France where they have regularly played to audiences of thousands and they recently opened for De La Soul on their tour.

In March this year while working on the new album Belleruche released the Liberty EP featuring new material alongside some top remixes and beguiling acoustic versions. The EP sold out its original vinyl production and had to be re-pressed within two weeks.

270 Stories finds Belleruche throwing some more new and exciting sonic surprises into the mix, with tougher edged beats, live strings and contemporary influences alongside more rigorous attention to song arrangements.

The trio are currently developing a new live show to encompass all of these elements and will be ready for headline tours of the UK, Europe and North America later this year.

In the meantime take a listen to the new single Clockwatching, it reminds me of Moloko a little, see what you think.

Belleruche – Clockwatching

B.o.B. - photo:Chris Phelps

Following the massive success of his album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, B.o.B has been confirmed as support on the upcoming Paramore arena tour, which kicks off in Nottingham at the Trent FM Arena on November 8th.

The support slot should at least ensure a rendition of the recent number one single Airplanes, which features the brilliant Hayley Willams on vocals and will be a massive live tune.

The Adventures of Bobby Ray is about as packed with hit singles as any album I have heard this year, already spawning two number one’s in the UK with the excellent and very diverse tracks Nothin’ On You and Airplanes.

The third single to be lifted from the album will be Magic, featuring Rivers Cuomo of Weezer and it will be released on October 25th.

The Paramore/B.o.B  UK dates are as follows;

Mon 8                     NOTTINGHAM       Trent FM Arena           NEW DATE
Wed 10                   LIVERPOOL             Echo Arena
Thu 11                    SHEFFIELD              Arena
Sat 13                     LONDON                   O2 Arena                 SOLD OUT
Mon 15                  LONDON                   O2 Arena
Tue 16                    BIRMINGHAM       LG Arena
Thu 18                    NEWCASTLE          Metro Radio Arena
Fri 19                     MANCHESTER       MEN Arena               NEW DATE

Double Vision is released on September 27th and is taken from their current top 20 album Streets of Gold. The single is the fourth to be taken from the album following the incredible chart success of My First Kiss (feat Ke$ha), Starstrukk (feat Katy Perry) and Don’t Trust Me.

Party animals will be looking forward to the duo performing at Reading/Leeds, they have previously whipped up a storm at both T in The Park and Oxegen Festival’s earlier this year.

3OH!3 – Double Vision

3OH!3 will be touring the UK in September, full dates below;

SEPTEMBER
Sat 25           BRISTOL              Anson Rooms
Sun 26          BIRMINGHAM  Academy 2
Mon 27        GLASGOW           Garage
Tues 28        MANCHESTER  Academy 3
Wed 29         LONDON             Koko

Paul Heaton will also be supporting Madness as their special guest on The Madness Tour which is scheduled for November and December this year.

Acid Country is the follow up to Heaton’s widely acclaimed 2008 album The Cross Eyed Rambler, and finds the songwriter in sparkling form yet again with classic melodies tinged with a country edge and maintaining the acerbic and intricate lyrics that have served so well over the decades.

Back in May this year Heaton previewed some of the tracks from Acid Country amongst a set that included classics from his previous incarnations on his Pedals and Beer Pumps Tour.

The tour took Heaton to sixteen pub venues starting at the Rovers Return on Coronation Street and a quick date at Emmerdale’s Woolpack Inn.

Heaton travelled to the venues by bicycle and covered over 1,000 miles in the process, playing some of the best shows of his life. the tour highlighted the plight of local pubs as well as promoting cycling as an environmentally viable method of touring!

Heaton is giving away the following track Even a Palm Tree at the Paul Heaton website.

The single The Ladders Bottom Rung is released on September 6th, the album Acid Country is released on September 13th.

Paul Heaton Acid Country UK Tour Dates:

20 September              LIVERPOOL, O2 Academy
21 September              GLASGOW, King Tuts
22 September              NEWCASTLE, O2 Academy
24 September              MANCHESTER, O2 Academy
25 September              BRISTOL, Thekla
26 September              BIRMINGHAM, Glee Club
28 September              LONDON, Borderline
29 September              LONDON, Borderline
30 September              SHEFFIELD, Leadmill
Tickets are £16.50 except London (£17.50)
www.gigsandtours.com & www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 24 hr cc hotline 0871 2200 260/0844 826 2826

On tour with Madness:

26 November                 BLACKPOOL, Empress Ballroom
27 November                 GLASGOW, O2 Academy
28 November                 NEWCASTLE, O2 Academy
30 November                 MANCHESTER, Apollo
1 December                SHEFFIELD, O2
3 December                HALL, Arena
4 December                LEICESTER, DM Hall
5 December                LEEDS, O2 Academy
7 December                NOTTINGHAM, Rock City
8 December                BOURNEMOUTH, Intl Centre
10 December                 READING, Rivermead
11 December                 BIRMINGHAM, O2 Academy
13 December                 CARDIFF, Arena
14 December                 PLYMOUTH, Pavilions
15 December                 BRIGHTON, Centre
17 December                 LONDON, Earls Court
www.gigsandtours.com / www.ticketmaster.co.uk /
24 hr cc hotline: 0844 811 0051 & 0844 826 2826

rumer - slow ep

Only a few days away until the official release of the beautiful debut EP from Rumer, Slow will be available on Monday August 23rd, featuring two extra, as yet un-named tracks.

Taken from the album Seasons of My Soul which is scheduled for release later this year, Slow has really captured the imagination of music lovers across the country.

Selling out the Bloomsbury Theatre within hours of tickets being announced, Rumer will perform at the London venue on September 14th.

Already drawing comparisons to Karen Carpenter, will Rumer satisfy the critics with her new material? We will have to wait and see, but to get fans through the weekend here is a Paul Simon song recorded by Rumer called Long, Long Day.

Long, Long Day is free to download by visiting the Rumer website.

Rumer – Long, Long Day