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 operating in music today, returns with her brand new album, Talking Book on October 29th. The album is Macy’s love letter to its creator Stevie Wonder and is released in time for the 40th Anniversary of this timeless masterpiece. Gray says, “Talking Book is one of my top five favourite albums of all time, and Stevie is my favourite. This is my own personal gift to Stevie Wonder, for all that I learned from him and for his miraculous songs that change my life every time I hear them. This is not a tribute album or concert, it’s a love letter and a big thank you card on record and on stage.” Track Listing: 1. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life 2. Maybe Your Baby 3. You And I (We Can Conquer The World) 4. Tuesday Heartbreak 5. You’ve Got It Bad Girl 6. Superstition 7. Big Brother 8. Blame It On The Sun 9. Looking For...

Icelandic alternative folk sensation Of Monsters and Men have emerged as the breakthrough international act of 2012.The bands debut album ‘My Head is An Animal’ reached #3 in the UK album charts, #1 on iTunes and topped charts in Iceland, Ireland, Germany, Canada and America. Of Monsters and Men are pleased to announce new single ‘Mountain Sound’ coming out 5th November on Island Records. Crafting epic songs inspired by their amazing homeland, fairy tales and personal history, Of Monsters and Men have gone from battle of the bands winners and a must-see act at SXSW to internationally and critically acclaimed superstars. The bands first single ‘ Little Talks ’ to date has received over 22 million views on YouTube. New single ‘Mountain Sound’ is full of spirited harmonies and insatiable energy, which will undoubtedly captivate fans in the same way ‘Little Talks’ has done. Emotional lyrics, lush and diverse instrumentation are all powered by hand claps and sing-a-long hooks.Of Mon...

Bob Dylan's first eight groundbreaking albums are exclusively available now.

Jessie Ware's hugely anticipated debut album 'Devotion' yesterday capped a flurry of critical praise with a much coveted nomination for this year’s Mercury Prize. Having previously gone straight into the album chart Top Five, this accolade confirms Jessie as one of the UK's brightest new stars. With album single 'Wildest Moments' going on to the BBC Radio 1 A-list and recently receiving an intimate rendition on BBC One's Breakfast Show, now comes new single 'Night Light'. True to its name, 'Night Light' sees Jessie's powerhouse vocal shining with stirring emotion to a backdrop of swirling guitars, majestic piano flourishes and addictive down-tempo rhythm. Released ---- on PMR Records, ‘Night Light’ is equal parts modern soul and timeless pop that demonstrates yet again that Jessie Ware is in a class entirely of her own. Along with this, Jessie Ware will be embarking on her first UK and Ireland headline tour in November, with dates in L...

In June, the London duo of producer George Reid and singer Aluna Francis released their debut EP, 'You Know You Like It' on the experimental Tri Angle Records. The three tracks seamless marriage of UK glitch and bass culture and sample based production with futuristic R&B sheen and British pop sensibilities packed a contagious punch, winning the accolades of everyone from the NME and The Guardian to Pitchfork and Spin, quickly highlighting AlunaGeorge as one of 2012's brightest hopes. Hot off the heels of that resounding opening gambit, AlunaGeorge now announce their new single, ‘Your Drums, Your Love’. Picking up where 'You Know You Like It' left off, ‘Your Drums, Your Love’ continues the duo’s streak of cutting-edge club pop with an enticingly downbeat R&B ballad. Reid’s elusively liquid synths, rumbling low-end bass and hip-gyrating electronic sway provide a glistening backdrop to the sweet allure of Aluna’s voice, soaring with the arching, fragile ref...

Keane's new album 'Strangeland' entered the UK charts at Number one to make it their fifth consecutive number one album, equaling Coldplay and Radiohead, and beaten only by The Beatle s. 'Strangeland' has debuted in the top ten in twenty countries around the world. It is their fourth studio album, after 'Hopes & Fears' (2004); 'Under The Iron Sea' (2006); 'Perfect Symmetry' (2008) and the 'Night Train' EP (2010) which also topped the UK Album Chart. The critics hailed ‘Strangeland’ as one of Keane’s classic records and the once-heard, never-forgotten chorus of ‘Disconnected’ puts this classic sound centre stage once more. The Beatles-esque production of the song courtesy of producer Dan Grech (Radiohead, Lana Del Ray, The Vaccines, Howling Bells), colours the heartbreaking lyrics with a deceptively breezy pace, harmonies tugging at the emotional chords as only you could expect from one our biggest bands in the world. Cu...

LOWER THAN ATLANTIS have announced that due to manufacturing issues, their major label debut album “Changing Tune” will now be released on 1 October 2012 via Island Records. The first single from the album, “Love Someone Else” is currently available via iTunes and has a radio impact date of 1st October. The album artwork can be seen below. LOWER THAN ATLANTIS will embark upon a headline tour in October and the dates are as follows: Tune into Zane Lowe BBC Radio 1 from 7.00pm Monday 1st October Exeter Phoenix Tuesday 2nd October Southampton Mo’Club Wednesday 3rd October Bristol Trinity Thursday 4th October Nottingham Rescue Rooms Friday 5th October Glasgow Garage Sunday 7th October Manchester Club Academy Monday 8th October Norwich Arts Centre Tuesday 9th October Birmingham Academy 2 Wednesday 10th October Leeds Cockpit Thurs...