Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Grammy award winning, 15 million album selling, singer-songwriter Macy Gray, one of the most unique and original artists to emerge in recent times, has her new album “ Covered ”, a collection of all new recordings of songs handpicked and reinterpreted by the US star in her own inimitable fashion, has been released. To coincide with the release of the album Macy plays two sell-out nights at London’s Jazz Café on June 27th and June 28th. Produced by Hal Willner (Lou Reed, Metallica), “Covered” tackles material largely drawn from the indie scene from the last decade—interpretations Macy’s fans will be familiar with as she’s been performing them live over...

Celebrating the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP 'You Know You Like It' on Tri Angle records, the ever musically forward-thinking home of artists like oOoOO, Holy Other and Evian Christ, AlunaGeorge unveil the new video for EP single 'Just A Touch'. Aluna Francis and producer George Reid have captured the attention of futuristic pop heads across the blogosphere with the most immediately arresting combination of a singer and producer since Timbaland first pulled up a studio chair for Missy Elliot. Drawing on everything from Flying Lotus, Chris Clark and Hudson Mohawke to Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey, AlunaGeorge manage to take the soulfulness of American R&B while remaining utterly quirky, futuristic, fun, left field and still totally, instantly classic British pop. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE 'You Know You Like It' EP Tracklist 01. You Know You Like It - 02. Just A Touch - 03. Put Your Hands up Remixes include the hugely popular B...

Fresh from his sold out UK tour, including a London show at The Forum last month, Mac Miller releases his new anthemic single ‘Party On Fifth Ave’ on July 23rd, the second release from his debut album ‘Blue Slide Park’. Mac, one of the most exciting young emcee’s of the moment continues to give a nod to old skool hip hop. With over 11 million views on YouTube, ‘Party On Fifth Ave’ samples DJ Kool’s classic ‘Let Me Clear My Throat’, or depending on your generation, DJ Mark the 45 King’s ‘The 900 Number’.Only six months into the year and Mac Miller has already worked with a slew of massive names. Earlier this year he dropped ‘Macadelic’, the seventh mixtape of his career, which features cuts from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Lil’ Wayne. He also delivered an outstanding verse on the remix of Justin Bieber’s new single ‘Boyfriend’. Not to forget his forthcoming EP, ‘Pink Slime’, a collaboration with Neptunes legend Pharrell Williams. Still only 20 years old, in his early teens Mille...

After a breakthrough start to the year, Angel, aka Sirach Charles is set to continue onwards and upwards as he gears up to release brand new single 'Wonderful' on July 29 th . With fans ranging from Michael Kiwanuka through to Cheryl Cole, Angel, once dubbed the UK R&B/Pop's biggest secret has effortlessly made the transition into one of its most promising new assets on the rise collecting the coveted accolades of HMV's Next Big Thing and MTV's Brand New Award nominations along the way. Highlights also include Angel’s debut release ‘Go In, Go Hard’ featuring Wretch 32 being announced as the title track to successful independent British film Streetdance 2 in addition to it notching up over 1 million YouTube views, supporting Dappy on his nationwide sell out tour, and selling out his own headline show (that sold out within 2 hours of being announced). At only 24 years old and hailing from Shepherds Bush, Londoner Angel has many strings to his b...

Grammy award winning, 15 million album selling, singer-songwriter Macy Gray, one of the most unique and original artists to emerge in recent times, has her new album “Covered”, a collection of all new recordings of songs handpicked and reinterpreted by the US star in her own inimitable fashion, released on June 25th. To coincide with the release of the album Macy plays two sell-out nights at London’s Jazz Café on June 27th and June 28th. Produced by Hal Willner (Lou Reed, Metallica), “Covered” tackles material largely drawn from the indie scene from the last decade—interpretations Macy’s fans will be familiar with as she’s been performing them live over the years. Featured tracks include Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” or My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers” which Gray subversively overhauls into something wholly her own. Also included are tracks by Radiohead, Yeah Yeah Yeahs as well as short skits featuring J.B. Smoove, Nicole Scherzinger and a guest appearance by Idris Elba. In addition Ma...

To mark the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence Island Records are releasing a huge box set entitled ‘Sound System – The Story Of Jamaican Music’ on June 25th . ‘ Sound System ’ will feature 8 CDs of glorious music and a deluxe hard backed book by acclaimed writer Chris Salewicz (author of biographies of Bob Marley, Joe Strummer and ‘Rude Boy – Once Upon A Time In Jamaica’) and featuring hundreds of photos by legendary photographer Adrian Boot. Compiled by Ramus (musical factotum at Chris Blackwell-era Island, Mango and Palm Pictures) and Paul ‘Groucho’ Smykle (dub producer who’s worked with PiL, Grace Jones, David Bowie, Jah Wobble, BAD and many more), ‘Sound System’ features 120 songs randomly programmed to ape the way a Sound System DJ might select his set on any given night. It features a wonderfully eclectic mix of R&B, mento, ska, blue beat, reggae, dub and funk and celebrates the incredible musical gift this small island has given to the world. When it comes to ...

Fresh from the release of the soulful Running, Jessie Ware is proud to announce the release of 110% through PMR Records. The new track is produced by Julio Bashmore. Currently cementing herself as one of the freshest talents to emerge from the UK underground, Jessie’s album is set to drop late Summer – herself and Dave Okumu (The Invisible) have been working on the eagerly anticipated debut at Red Bull Studios for the past seven months. After a hugely successful debut London show at The Nave recently, Jessie is also pleased to announce a homecoming gig at Brixton's Plan B venue on August 15th. Jessie will be playing festivals over the Summer throughout the UK & Europe finishing up with the Plan B show (full dates below). 06/07 - Pitch Festival, Amsterdam 07/07 - Nova Festival, Pulborough, West Sussex 13/07 - Melt Festival, Berlin 15/08 - Plan B, London 17/08 - Beacons Festival, Yorkshire 18/08 - Pukkelpop, Belgium 08/09 - Bestival, Isle of Wight   myspace.com/jess...