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

D.A.I.S.Y. Age . The concept first introduced by the legendary De La Soul, it stands for “Da inner sound ya’ll”. Welcome to the sound of Rizzle Kicks, the duo that are here to provide 2011’s “inner sound”. At 19 years-old, Jordan and Harley are two of the UK’s most exciting young talents. Having known each other since they were little kids, they’ve grown up together, shared the same friends, same experiences, same schools and above all a passion and taste for music that’s taken over both their lives. Having already turned heads (and made many a crowd bounce) with the recently released ‘Prophet’ – a track that was instantly embraced by Radio 1 who booked the duo to play at the Big Weekender as soon as they heard it – Jordan and Harley are now ready to drop their summer “anvil”, the brilliant ‘ Down With The Trumpets ’. With the single already a huge favourite with their fanbase – the original version was first posted on their ever-active YouTube profile last year – it’s now getting it’...

‘Live For What I’d Die For’ is the first single from our newest star in the making, Jess Mills. Having signed to Island records earlier this year, Jess introduced us to her enticing solo material in April with her ‘Vultures EP’. This impressive package came complete with her cover of The Cure’s ‘A Forest’ and a heavyweight line up of remixes from MJ Cole, Nu:Tone and Photek. Also produced by Breakage, ‘Live for What I’d Die For’ goes further to illustrate Jess’s desire to combine classic song writing with her experiences and influences from her love of dance music, long summers spent in Ibiza and her many trips to the likes of Glastonbury from a very early age.Working together on her solo material, Jess and Breakage drew up a widescreen list of reference points that included The Cure, Portishead, Massive Attack and Radiohead – but knew from the start that Mills's songs would inevitably, absolutely, contain two feelings any seasoned club kid would understand on a cellular level: a s...

Music megastars, the Black Eyed Peas are set to play at the Alton Towers Resort on 6th July, and tickets are buy one get one free ! The event is a fantastic opportunity to see the Grammy Award winning group in 2011 play a full length 90 minute set performing alongside a selection of recently announced support artists including multi-talented musician Labrinth, electro hop duo LMFAO and brand new five piece girl band Parade! Music fans will be able to enjoy an action-packed day full of adrenalin-pumping rides at the Alton Towers theme park before seeing will.i.am, Fergie and co. take the stage on the Resort's front lawns, set in front of the iconic Towers. Make sure you make the most of this incredible deal! FIND TICKETS Offer: Buy 1 get 1 free(normally up to £62 each). Tickets must be bought in pairs.

Jon Fratelli will release his new single ‘Baby We’re Refugees’ on the Island label on July 11th. Taken from his forthcoming new album “Psycho Jukebox”, it rocks, rolls and rumbles and builds to a big singalong chorus: “Carry me home, carry me home, won’t somebody chase this pain from my door!” . Prepare to hear it ringing out across the land! Says Jon: “’Refugees’ was the last song I wrote for the album and we recorded it at the eleventh hour, but it’s one of my favourites.” Jon Fratelli’s debut solo album is called Psycho Jukebox and like any jukebox worth its salt it’s chock full of the kind of solid gold easy action that makes you want to throw the windows wide to annoy the neighbours. It was recorded at The Sound Factory in Los Angeles with producer Tony Hoffer (Beck , Air, Depeche Mode), who first worked with Jon in 2006 on The Fratellis’ debut album, Costello Music, which featured ‘Chelsea Dagger’, ‘Henrietta’ and ‘Flathead’, and established Jon as a writer of crunching, dyna...

Ren Harvieu is brand new, just out of her teens, realer than real ale. She sounds one way and looks and acts completely differently. Very little is known about her, virtually no online presence, no Brit School training, no showbiz connections, just a young girl with a truly remarkable voice and a set of songs that will stir your soul and break your heart. The youngest of three girls, her dad sang in pubs in and around Manchester, while Ren sang in the odd local talent show, one called ‘Salford Superstar’. 20 year old Salford born singer Ren Harvieu, has her debut single “Through The Night” released on July 4th through Kid Gloves/Island Records. Co-written by Ren, Chris O’Neill and Ed Harcourt and produced by Jimmy Hogarth, this beautifully orchestrated slice of classic yearning is taken from the album, also entitled, ”Through The Night” which will be released in September. Ren has just been confirmed to appear on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury on Saturday June 25 and has als...

New Island Records signing Alex Clare, whose Diplo & Switch produced tracks “Up All Night” and “Too Close” have generated a genuine buzz across radio, press and the blogosphere, has his eagerly awaited debut album ”The Lateness Of The Hour” released on July 11th. Diplo & Switch, who are very particular about who they work with, are on fire at the moment, with Switch producing 7 tracks on the new Beyonce album while Diplo has produced the next Chris Brown single feat. Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, which is shaping up to be a monster. In addition Beyonce has sampled Major Lazer “Pon The Floor” for her comeback single. “The Lateness Of The Hour” was recorded in New Orleans, Jamaica, Los Angeles and London and was produced in the main by Diplo & Switch, with Eg White (Adele) adding a couple of tunes. Featured tracks on the 11 song set which introduce Clare as an exciting new talent very difficult to pin down, include “Relax My Beloved”, Hummingbird”, “Whispering”, “Hands Are ...

Fresh from touring with Jessie J and supporting NDubz on their sold out Arena tour, Encore are ready to make their mark on contemporary British pop music with release of the remarkable ‘Tit For Tat’. ‘Tit For Tat’ is released on July 17th 2011 and, true to Encore’s trademark blend, manages to combine a banging baseline and a gritty production with soulful vocal melodies, edgy rhymes and sweet harmonies. Encore are Pierre Joseph, Cairo Woodword and Mark Asari, initially three solo artists who were already making a mark in their own right on the urban music circuit. A preliminary collaboration session in the studio, after meeting at an open mic night in early 2009 eventually led to the creation of Encore; an urban boy band with a distinctively pop edge. Creatively the boys emerge from all walks of their deferring musical lives. Mark is a noted songwriter, Cairo a producer and Pierre a rapper. Together they create the perfect blend of smooth vocals, head bopping beats, individual lyrics ...

Alex Clare's tour runs throughout July and his next single ‘Treading Water’ is out on July 4th. Also checkout Alex’s rendition of the Prince classic ‘When Doves Cry’ http://www.myspace.com/alexclare Alex Clare - Recent Posts