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

Since the fantastic response to his special release last month (Love for $ale Feat Roots Manuva), Jamie Cullum is pleased to announce the full details of his sixth studio album, ‘Momentum’, released on 20th May 2013 via his new record label Island Records . Having sold over ten million records worldwide, performing to sold out tours across the globe, working on a variety of unique projects that have seen him collaborate with a range of artists from Stevie Wonder, Pharrell, Sander Kleinenberg, Rizzle Kicks to The Roots, Jamie continues to enjoy an incredible creative roll. The album, titled ‘Momentum’ for good reason, is bursting with ideas and inspirations which almost have a life of their own. Indeed, Jamie approached this record in a completely different way to his previous LPs, for the first time using DIY home demos as a blueprint for the majority of its tracks… and for a while, using everything from iPhone apps, charity shop keyboards and cassette recorders as his ‘go-to’ instr

A top 5 album, three top 10 singles, No.1 collaborative single with Olly Murs, a sold out headline UK tour, a certified gold selling debut album and a BRIT award nomination; Rizzle Kicks have well and truly cemented themselves at the top of the UK charts . Landing on the music scene in 2011 the duo instantaneously shook things up with their very own nu school hip hop sound. With DIY beats and killer hooks, effortless swag and an abundance of charm the band breathed a breath of fresh-air into the airwaves. Rizzle Kicks represent a new breed of UK artists, self-created with unruly imaginations, the bands care-free lyrics and fun loving attitude has propelled them to the forefront of the UK music scene picking up a wealth of fans and support from fellow artists along the way. ‘ Traveller’s Chant ’ is a laid-back melodic track full of contemplative anecdotes; it perfectly reflects the humbling journey of coming of age. The track follows a succession of hits from the debut album ‘Stereo Ty

Mayer Hawthorne, one of the most exciting artists in the new soul movement , played an amazing SOLD OUT headline show at The Scala earlier this month. Mayer releases a new version of ‘The Walk’ featuring chart-topping duo Rizzle Kicks, on May 7th. Watch video ere; Mayer’s debut album ‘How Do You Do’ is released on May 14th .· Check out the original video, watched by over 1 million people, here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmfcYli6vV4 - Do you recognize any of these fans? - www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF6qZBJo0YU Get ready to meet Mayer Hawthorne and say “How Do You Do”. www.mayerhawthorne.com  Loved by Justin Timberlake, John Mayer and Snoop Dogg, who features on the album, has declared him as his “favourite new artist”.

With two top 10 singles, a top 10 album and a number 1 record courtesy of their hook up with Olly Murs , it's fair to say that Rizzle Kicks had a bit of a whirlwind summer. Although with the album now out and the summer warmth firmly behind us, Jordan and Harley are now fully focused on the next single - and this time they've brought back up. 7 th Dec - Pro Green / Rizzle Kicks - Rock City, Nottingham 9 th Dec - Pro Green / Rizzle Kicks - O2 Academy, Birmingham 10 th Dec - Pro Green / Rizzle Kicks - The Engine Shed, Lincoln 11 th Dec - Pro Green / Rizzle Kicks - UEA, Norwich 13 th Dec - Pro Green / Rizzle Kicks - O2 Academy, Bournemouth 14 th Dec - Pro Green / Rizzle Kicks - O2 Academy, Bristol 15 th Dec - Scala, London 16 th Feb - Junction, Cambridge  SOLD OUT 18 th Feb - Plug, Sheffield  SOLD OUT 19 th Feb - Waterfront, Norwich  SOLD OUT 22 nd Feb - The Ironworks, Inverness 23 rd Feb - ABC, Glasgow (Venue upgrade) 24 th Feb - Pi

Labrinth, Tinchy, Chipmunk and Wretch 32 Come Together To Help BBC Children in Need and release official single ‘Teardrop’ . The official BBC Children in Need single will get one of its most credible makeovers to date this year as the likes of Labrinth, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Wretch 32 and Tulisa from NDubz present their own re-interpretation of Massive Attack’s timeless single ‘Teardrop’, with the new lyrics adapted by Wretch 32, Gary Go and Mr Dialysis. The song was released through Island Records on November 13th with all proceeds going to the charity to support some of the most disadvantaged children right here in the UK. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey Grammy nominated superstar Drake , whose 2010 debut “Thank Me Later” established the Canadian as one of the breakthrough artists of the year, marks his return with the highly anticipated release on November 14th, of his brand new Young Money/Cash Money album “Take Care”. The debut album has landed; Rizzle Kicks present ‘Stereo Typi

It was Popjustice who recently wrote, “Here’s something one doesn’t really think about much, until one day you notice it and you can’t unremember it: popstars do have a habit of making things looks like such hard work. The Thing About Rizzle Kicks is that they make it all look very easy.”And, it’s hard to disagree. In just a few short months Jordan and Harley have had a top 10 hit with ‘Down With The Trumpets’ (selling over 250,000 singles), reached the top of the charts with Olly Murs, supported Dizzee Rascal and The Streets in concert, headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading/Leeds, recorded with Fatboy Slim, featured on this year’s Children In Need single and been nominated for 3 MOBO awards…! With a rare combination of talent, charisma and foresight – especially at such a young age – Rizzle Kicks are doing things on their own terms, and winning. In fact it wasn’t so long ago that Jordan and Harley were at school together (they’ve known each other since they were toddlers), s