ASHER ROTH G.R.I.N.D (GET READY IT’S A NEW DAY)

“G.R.I.N.D.”, the brand new track that’s been lighting up the blogs, (no 2 on Hype Machine) from Asher Roth, is released on July 26th through SRC/ Island Records. “G.R.I.N.D”, which stands for “Get Ready It’s a New Day”, was produced by a team called 1500 or Nothin, and is taken from Asher’s forthcoming as yet untitled second album which features production from the likes of Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beats, Ryan Leslie and Q-Tip. For further info on Asher’s movements and to see the cool viral video for “Muddy Swim Trunks”, and to download the tasty new mixtape “Seared Fois Gras with Quince and Cranberry”, visit http://asherrothmusic.com/. Asher Roth’s debut hit single “I Love College” and acclaimed album “Asleep In The Bread Aisle” announced him as one of the most exciting new artists in hip hop. Heavily tipped at the beginning of 2009, alongside Kid Cudi and B.O.B, as one of the freshest new artists taking hip hop in an exciting new direction, Asher charted with his first single “I Love College”. “Asleep In The Bread Aisle”, earned Roth the respect of hip hop giants such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Ludacris and Andre 3000 and showcased a more thoughtful, lyrical side to the Pennsylvanian born rhymer’s talent. The new album aims to develop that talent and take it to a new level.
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“The boy has some gargantuan talent. Not only is he one of the most gifted lyricists to emerge in a long time, he just has something special” NME
“The kid can rap” Stool Pigeon
“G.R,I.N.D. is gonna be big” The Sun

ERYKAH BADU releases her new single ”Turn Me Away (Get Munny)” on August 2nd .

Multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter-actress ERYKAH BADU, one of the best loved, most constantly challenging and uniquely creative artists currently working in popular music, releases her new single ”Turn Me Away (Get Munny)” on August 2nd . The release of the single, taken from her universally acclaimed new album New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh, comes the week after Badu blesses the Brixton Academy with a sold-out one-off UK date on Saturday July 24. The new album is the Dallas native’s follow-up to her equally critically acclaimed 2008 album, New Amerykah, Part I: 4th World War. In contrast to New Amerykah, Part I: 4th World War, which was digitally produced and political in tone, New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh features lush live instrumentation and taps into Badu’s emotional side by thematically focusing on romance and relationships. “With Part I, I was standing at an apex, looking at what was going on around me politically, socially, and economically,” Badu explained. “With Part II, I’m hovering over me, looking at what’s going on inside of me.” New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh features contributions from some of the most talented, groundbreaking, underground producers and engineers in the hip-hop game, including Grammy winners 9th Wonder and James Poyser, eclectic soul singer Bilal, and the late J Dilla. “We used a lot of analog instruments—harps, strings, drums, piano, and even a Theremin—to give the album that sonic feel,” said Badu. “There’s a strong undercurrent of bottom, a rumbling to these songs that feels good to me. It feels like a hug.” ERYKAH BADU emerged in 1997 with her masterpiece debut album, Baduizm, as a primal force of nature connecting old school soul with contemporary R&B. The album garnered her numerous award nominations, including two Grammys (Best Female R&B Vocal, Best R&B Album) and multiple top spots on critics’ Best-Of-The-Year Lists. In 2000, she followed up with the critically acclaimed platinum-selling album, Mama’s Gun. In 2003, the EP World Wide Underground was awarded Gold certification. WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“One of the most interesting and iconoclastic figures in popular music” The Daily Telegraph
“The Duchess of soul in slinky, raw and eccentric mode… What a woman” The Times
“Joyous” Metro 5*
“She’s so far ahead of the field” Daily Mirror

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals ‘Paris (Ooh La La)’ released August 15th on Island Records

Named as one of Rolling Stone’s Best New Bands of 2010,  release their racy bedroom blues single ‘Paris (Ooh La La)’ on August 15th. Doing a much better job of hotting up the summer than the UK’s reliably unreliable weather, this sultry, saucy song is Grace and the gang’s strutting tribute to getting down and dirty. A classic rock shakedown packed with guttural grunts and shrieks, it’s probably best that we hand over to Grace for a more detailed description of the tracks’s subject matter…“When I wrote ‘Paris’, I was listening to the Kinks non-stop, and I was going for something with a big primal riff, like ‘You Really Got Me’. It was the first time I ever really just said ‘I’m not going to try to tell a story, and I’m not going to try to communicate an emotion. I’m just going to say, basically, ‘I want to have sex right now.’ Produced by Mark Batson (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z), this Vermont five-piece have more than earned their chops at home in the USA, gaining a reputation as one of the finest rock’n’soul bands around. Now it’s the UK’s turn to be wowed by this group of talented musicians fronted by sass-tastic performer Ms Potter. All thrift shop furs, blonde feathered hair and fabulously faded sequins, Grace is a glorious collision of Stevie Nicks attitude and the laid back country glamour of Emmylou Harris that demands not just to be looked at, but listened to as well. ‘Paris (Ooh La La)’ is out on August 15th and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are set to release their self-titled UK debut album on August 16th.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are: Grace Potter (vocals/keys), Scott Tournet (lead guitar), Benny Yurco (rhythm guitar), Catherine Popper (bassist) and Matt Burr (drums). www.gracepotter.com

‘Paris (Ooh La La)’ released August 15th on Island Records - Self-titled UK debut album also released this summer

Little Fish ‘Baffled And Beat’ Debut album. Single to be released 9th August

Little Fish singer, writer and guitarist Juju says that the band’s recent single ‘Am I Crazy?’ is about “the pain you go through when falling in love” but the title could equally refer to the crazy ride the band have experienced in the last year or so since legendary songwriter/producer Linda Perry heard their demos, flew to the UK to see them play at a pub in Oxford, signed them on the spot and took them out to LA to produce their first album. This has been followed by a hectic touring schedule supporting a who’s who of rock bands including Placebo,Them Crooked Vultures, Hole, Juliette Lewis and, most recently, Blondie. This, plus having three songs on the Rock Band game, a song in the new Hilary Swank movie ‘The Resident’ and a host of great reviews for their live show, as well as Radio 1 play and playlisting on XFM and Kerrang! TV have brought the band to the public’s attention even before the release of this, their first album. The addition of a Hammond player to the Oxford-based two piece has enabled them to replicate the album sound on stage. The album, much of which was recorded live, is released on Custard/Island Records on August 16th. The songs on the album, titled ‘Baffled And Beat’, are about love, life, betrayal and pain according to Juju. “Our songs are about people. They write away our sickness. They define us by what we are not. They speak of chaos and confusion, relationships, their conflicts and our need for cures. The songs run alongside all that we live; our failings, our contradictions, our hungers, our excesses, our exits, our shadows. A wound opened by betrayal, love, life, is slow to heal. If we bow our head and look to the ground, it is because we are searching for the things we have lost. Mostly the songs speak of the constant strain living has on the nerves, so as to make sense of it. They speak of people with possibilities, of junk in need of hunger and of the pains within us. People waiting on street corners and in cafeterias for love and life to happen, all this knowing that one day affection will burn us and we will make it to happiness. It came to us to sing, to play as the songs ran along with us.’’ Onstage, Little Fish are sensual thunder, drawing you in with dangerous warmth. Most often Juju's self taught guitar style blazes through as Nez vigorously propels himself and beats his way through the songs. "It's like an exorcism," says Juju when the songs come. "They are based on human expression, sometimes things that can't be said are best left sung." JuJu’s voice haunts and mesmerizes in a similar way to Patti Smith. What’s in evidence throughout the band’s music is passion and intelligence, maybe even a little anger, but it’s melodic and true to the song. The Little Fish album is all real drums – half of it is live – no click track, no over dubs. Linda Perry gave JuJu a really hard time in the studio and pushed her with her writing. According to JuJu, Linda is a, “Fearless, bolshie, American rock star/super star who believes in herself.” It’s rubbed off on JuJu helping to create music with serious attitude. “She would send me away to a room and say don’t come out until you’ve got it finished. She told me she has never been so tough on any artist that’s she’s worked with, but she showed me what I have inside of me and brought the best out in me.” Listening to their music you can hear this creativity in all its glory. “I have to be by myself in a room when I’m writing so no one can hear me shouting and screaming like an exorcist. Some people can write in public, but not me. For me it’s a solitary experience, so I can unlock my lyrics and bare my soul and inspiration.” The name Little Fish is the result of Juju's daydream "Feel free, I wake up in a head spin. I am me. I am just a Little Fish. I see what I see..."

FULL TRACKLISTING
1 - Darling Dear
2 - Bang! Bang!
3 - Am I Crazy?
4 - Heroine Dance
5 - Sweat N Shiver
6 - Baffled And Beat
7 - You, Me And The TV
8 - Die Young
9 - Luck's Run Out
10 - Whiplash
11 - Hallelujah
12 - Sorry State

FURTHER FESTIVAL DATES
July 16th Cheltenham, The Trees Festival

July 23rd Surrey, Redfest

July 25th Oxford, Truck Festival
July 30th Matlock, Y Not Festival
July 31st Knebworth, Sonisphere Festival
Sep 26th Gloucester, Underground Festival

Little Fish ‘Baffled And Beat’ Debut album & single to be released August 16th, 2010
Single ……… to be released August 9th (Custard/Island Records)
www.myspace.com/littlefishmusic

Juju Sophie (Vocals/Guitar)

Nez Greenaway (Drums)

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY!
‘Soulful, groove-laden and yet voluminously abrasive’ Rock Sound
‘Strong stuff indeed’ Total Guitar
‘A gloomy but visceral post-punk thunderstorm’ Music Week
‘Little Fish has the raw rock spark that doesn’t depend on fame’ New York Times

Gabriella Cilmi's Double A Side Single ‘Defender & Magic Carpet Ride’

Gabriella Cilmi’s second album ‘Ten’ sees the just-turned-18 Australian singer-songwriter discovering her inner disco diva. Inspired by the likes of Giogrio Moroder, Blondie and Donna Summer, and working alongside the likes of uber producers Dallas Austin (TLC, Gwen Stefani, Michael Jackson), Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys), and Greg Kursten (Lily Allen, Little Boots, Flaming Lips), Gabriella has created a body of work that takes new wave and classic dance influences into poptastic future disco for the 21st century. Following on from scoring a top 10 hit with the infectious dance-floor anthem, ‘On A Mission’ and from supporting Leona Lewis on her nationwide UK tour, Gabriella Cilmi is set to release double A side single, ‘Defender & Magic Carpet Ride’ on 22nd August 2010. The ballad ‘Defender’, produced by Invisible Men (Noisettes), is one of the stand out tracks on ‘Ten’. Showcasing Gabriella’s unique vocals ‘Defender’ has all the ingredients of an anthemic power balled made to melt radio airwaves. ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ is the lead single and the featured track from new film Soul Boy, a coming-of-age drama set in the 1970s Northern Soul underground music scene starring Alfie Allen and Martin Compston (Disappearance Of Alice Creed, ‘The Damned United’). The film recently won rave reviews at the Edinburgh Film Festival. Soul Boy is out in Cinema’s on August 21st, and the Soundtrack for the film will be released on August 23rd. Gabriella Cilmi was catapulted to global fame by her worldwide mega hit, ‘Sweet About Me’, which sold over 2 million copies, was top ten in 16 countries, viewed over 20 million times on you tube, spent 37 consecutive weeks in the UK singles chart in 2008 and was recently PRS certified the most played record of 2009. Gabriella’s debut album ‘Lessons to be Learned’ went top 10 in over 10 countries, notching up over a million sales. The combination of commercial punch and genuine musical spirit in one so young - Gabriella signed her first record contract at 13 years old - quickly earned Cilmi critical admiration. She won 6 Aria awards in her native Australia (including Best Female, Best Album and Single Of The Year) and was nominated for a host of illustrious awards, including a BRIT, Q, MTV Europe, Ivor Novello and Echo award. Gabriella toured the world extensively, interspersing arena dates with festival appearances, including a Pyramid Stage slot at Glastonbury 2009. Gabriella Cilmi’s album ‘Ten’ is available now. Double A Side single ‘Defender & Magic Carpet Ride’ will be released by Island Records on 22nd August 2010. Gabriella Cilmi will be performing at both V Festival and Oxygen Festival over the summer.

Gabriella Cilmi's Double A Side Single ‘Defender & Magic Carpet Ride’ Released by Island Records on 22nd August 2010

WHAT THE PAPER'S SAY
'Ten by Gabriella Cilmi is an album bursting with ballsy pop. 4 Stars’ The Times

Check out "The Sellout" , the eagerly awaited new album from Macy Gray

Grammy award winning, 15 million album selling, singer-songwriter Macy Gray, one of the most unique and original artists to emerge in recent times.  Macy, whose eagerly awaited new album "The Sellout" is out now performed recently at "Live from Leicester Square". Macy's fans had the unique opportunity to see this global star up close at one of London's most intimate music venues. Macy's new single, "Lately", which she recently performed live on Later With Jools, was released on June 14th through Concord Records/Island Records. "The Sellout" features 12 new songs and was co-written and executive produced by Gray in Los Angeles throughout 2009. Collaborators include Bobby Brown, The Bodyrockers' Kaz James and Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum formerly of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver. "The Sellout" tells the story of how I found my salvation in just being myself instead of who other people thought I should be," says the striking singer. "I had got to a place in my career where I tried everything that was asked of me and in doing so I lost sight of who Macy Gray really is. I spent over a year making this album without any pressure or opinions and being able to choose the co-writers, producers and artists that felt good to me. As a result, it really reflects my true identity. I feel like I have finally made the album I was capable of and that my fans wanted. These are some of my favorite songs that I've written." Macy Gray first burst onto the music scene with her debut album On How Life Is and the massive hit single "I Try" both of which went number 1 all over the world. The album went on to sell 7 million copies worldwide with Gray winning a Grammy and an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist. Macy Gray has gone on to sell more than 15,000,000 albums worldwide and has been nominated for 5 Grammy Awards and 6 MTV Video Music Awards. She has collaborated on stage and in the recording studio with some of music's greatest artists including Justin Timberlake, Common, Outkast, Rick Rubin, Carlos Santana, Erykah Badu, Fergie, will.i.am, John Frusciante (of Red Hot Chili Peppers), Nas, Mos Def and Natalie Cole, among many others. She has also appeared in numerous films including Training Day, Spider Man, Idlewild and the award winning HBO Film Lackawanna Blues.
Click here to Buy "The Sellout" CD - Buy MP3 " Lately"
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
"Ace" 4* Glamour
"The wonderfully off kilter Macy is back to put all those soul diva pretenders in their place...a classic" Marie Claire

Adam Young to release first collection of songs with Sky Sailing debut album

Album Release: An Airplane Carried Me To Bed Label: Island Records Released: 26th July 2010


“Before there was Owl City, there was Sky Sailing. These recordings are a step into the past, the documented account of a shy boy from Minnesota with more hopes and dreams than he knew what to do with. I am so very excited to share it with you.” – Adam Young

Adam Young was a mere teenager in Owatonna, Minnesota when he wrote and recorded his first collection of songs under the moniker Sky Sailing. The album An Airplane Carried Me To Bed offers 11 songs that trace back the genesis of Adam Young as a songwriter and showcase a simple innocence through their sound and openhearted lyrics. Fan’s got their first peek into the world of Sky Sailing a few weeks ago when Adam quietly posted demo versions of two songs that are on the album, “Brielle” and “I Live Alone,” on MySpace. Written and recorded nearly three years ago, the songs that Adam Young did as Sky Sailing reflect the wonder and excitement of an artist when they’re going through the process of discovery and everything is new to them. During this time Adam would work the early shift as a metal worker and spend the night hours escaping through his dreams and music. With an acoustic guitar and some basic computer and recording equipment, he took himself on a fast and furious journey crafting and honing his skills as a musician and an artist. Since Adam wrote these Sky Sailing songs he has been on a tremendous life journey. His swift rise from the unknown into chart topping success with Owl City saw his debut single ‘Fireflies’ sell over 6 million copies globally and top the charts in 22 countries, including the UK where it spent 3 weeks at the No.1 spot. During the staggering rise of Owl City, Adam never forgot about Sky Sailing. First loves, after all, tend to linger and die hard. “I was so happy to be able to take time and go back and rediscover these songs,” he says. Despite their heavier subject matter and lack of effects, Adam thinks Sky Sailing will appeal to his existing fans. “I think it will catch their ears, but I also think it will be of interest to an older audience,” he says. Having travelled the world and met thousands of people over the last 18 months, the upcoming release of Sky Sailing’s An Airplane Carried Me to Bed is a homecoming of sorts, a return to a time when things were pure and simple. As much as Adam loves being out on the road, he is happy to have recently returned to the basement and is currently working on the second Owl City album – due for release in December. The basement is where he truly feels at home, a place where he can keep creating new alter egos - a singer-songwriter-superhero of sorts.
www.myspace.com/skysailing

OLLY MURS TO RELEASE HIS DEBUT SINGLE

Olly Murs will release his debut single on August 29. The track ‘Please Don’t Let Me Go’ is co-written by Olly along with Steve Robson and Claude Kelly. A major radio network has already added the single to their playlist, 9 weeks upfront of release. The single will be available as a CD and download, with b-side/extra track ‘This One’s For The Girls’. Following his appearance on the X Factor, Olly signed a deal with Epic, who are responsible for the phenomenal success for JLS, and Syco Music. Olly said “I’m so excited to be releasing this track which I co-wrote with Steve and Claude. It was important to me to be releasing an original song, and you can blast this one in the car with the windows down and the sun shining”. Olly is currently working on his debut album due for release later this year. He is collaborating with Roy Stride from Scouting For Girls, John Shanks (Take That), Eg White (Adele, James Morrison, Duffy), Claude Kelly (Jason Derulo, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson), Steve Robson (Take That), Trevor Horn (Robbie Williams, Pet Shop Boys), Wayne Hector (JLS, Westlife) and Matty Benbrook (Paulo Nutini). To hear the new single click here:  - check it out tell us what you think!

OLLY MURS RELEASES HIS DEBUT SINGLE ‘PLEASE DON’T LET ME GO’ ON EPIC RECORDS/SYCO MUSIC ON AUGUST 29  - www.ollymurs.com

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“Summery pop that has a touch of Lily Allen and a flavour of Paulo Nutini” The Sun
“Start getting excited!” Heat

Melodica, Melody and Me support Bombay Bicycle Club on July Acoustic Tour

Melodica, Melody and Me release their debut single, ‘Piece Me Back Together’ on Monday 12th July 2010 through Everybody’s Stalking and confirm lead support on Bombay Bicycle Club’s acoustic tour. Check out the beautiful new video: click here
Brixton’s original folksteppers Melodica, Melody and Me announce the release of their debut single, Piece Me Back Together, through Everybody’s Stalking on Monday 12th July 2010. The new single will be available on limited edition seven-inch vinyl and download. Huw (Vocal/Guitar), Rudi (Guitar, Charango, Kora, Melodica), Emilio (Kora, Melodica, Charango), Anna (Vocals, Melodica), John (Bass) and Greta (Drums) uniquely combine their folk influences of Bert Jansch and Victor Jara with their Dub and Reggae heroes Augustus Pablo and Lee Scratch Perry and have become Britain’s go-to band for all-night skanking and festival stomping. From their first proper gig supporting Whitest Boy Alive at Hoxton Bar Grill MMM's infectious live set has been creating waves across the UK touring with the likes of Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn and Mumford and Sons. Whilst finishing university and school in London, Manchester, Brighton and Leeds they have built up large pockets of adoring fans, selling out venues in each respective city with the underage scene and student crowds eagerly adopting the band as their own. MMM have had spot plays on Radio 1, 2, BBC London and 6Music. Significant support has come from Tom Robinson who has included them several times on his weekly podcast, his 'Best of' Podcast and his 'Fresh on the Net' show. The band have been interviewed for his introducing show and after performing a live session in the 6music hub he announced they were the “Freshest most original sounding groups we have had in the studio... absolutely terrific”. Huw was also interviewed on Steve Lamaq's introducing show and he has continued to spot play Piece me back Together which was also recently played on NME radio's New Noise show. Rob da Bank hailed the band “fantastic” when he played Ode to a Mountain on his Radio 1 show and has booked them previously for Camp Bestival and Bestival which led them to playing to over 1000 fans at a rammed headline slot in the Club Dada Tent. Other festival highlights include Electric Picnic, Great Escape, Secret Garden Party and Shambala and La Nuit Blanche in Amiens, France. Whilst nurturing their live set and waiting for the perfect time to release a recorded single they have commanded an ever-growing fan-base and a genuine word-of-mouth phenomenon. (200,000 MySpace plays and over 3200+ friends already). Above the babble of hype, and the chains of forced expectation, this is a band people have fallen in love with without being told to. Melodica, Melody and Me are set to appear at the following upcoming events:
www.myspace.com/mmmelodic

CLICK HERE FOR BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB LATEST NEWS & JULY TOUR DATES

Tom Jones single ‘Burning Hell’ / ‘What Good Am I’ plus new album ‘Praise and Blame’

Tom Jones teams up with producer Ethan Johns (Laura Marling, Kings of Leon, Paulo Nutini, Rufus Wainwright) to release a remarkable new album on 26th July on Island Records. Entitled ‘Praise and Blame’, the album is a captivating collection of songs drawn from the American spiritual repertoire. Tracks include interpretations of works by Susan Werner, Bob Dylan and John Lee Hooker, alongside takes on traditional songs previously rendered by the likes of The Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Tom and producer/player Ethan Johns lead a small band of players - drummer Jeremy Stacey and bassist Dave Bronze, through tracks that were recorded wholly live in singular performances at Real World Studios in Bath. Further guest contributions come from Booker T. Jones, Chris Holland, Gillian Welch and Orin Waters. ‘Praise and Blame’ is an evocative collection, with Tom going back to his roots on stripped down interpretations of gospel, blues, traditional and country songs, wearing his heart on his sleeve, emotionally raw and true. Tom has quite simply delivered his tour de force. It’s him bearing his soul, singing from the heart, telling it like it is. June 7th (Tom’s 70th birthday) brought on a taster of the forthcoming collection with a limited edition 7” split single comprised of John Lee Hooker’s ‘Burning Hell’ coupled with Bob Dylan’s ‘What Good Am I’.

The full track listing for ‘Praise and Blame’ is
1. What Good Am I
2. Lord Help
3. Did Trouble Me
4. Strange Things
5. Burning Hell
6. If I Give My Soul
7. Don’t Knock 
8. Nobody’s fault But Mine
9. Didn’t It Rain
10. Ain’t No Grave
11. Run On

To view footage of Tom and Ethan Johns in the studio and to listen to Burning Hell & What Good Am I. head to Tom’s myspace. www.myspace.com/tomjones

‘Burning Hell’ / ‘What Good Am I’ and ‘Praise and Blame’ are released on Island Records.