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

Miraa May, songwriter, performer, artist and sheer force of nature follows her critically acclaimed Dark EP, co-write on Jorja Smith’s Top 10 hit “Be Honest” and recent paean to her new-born son, “Baby”, with her the video for her new Island single “Say Yeah”. The video features WSTRN and Harry Pinero. You can catch a glimpse of the making of the track on the new episode of Miraa’s YouTube mini-series ‘Miraa & Friends’ which features Haile. “Say Yeah’ is the third new song Miraa has released in 2020, following “Woman Like Me” & ‘Baby’ and is the start of a new chapter as she embarks on the journey of motherhood. Miraa recently featured in a new documentary created by The Face magazine called ‘Voices of Jamaica’ which followed 15 artists on a week-long writing retreat put together by UK producer Cadenza. The film features Jorja Smith, Miraa May, Amine, Proteje and legendary producers Dre Skull, Guilty Beatz, & P2J amongst others. Miraa has also been busy filming, and now rel...

Island Records are proud to announce the release of the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to the acclaimed girlhood drama ROCKS which opens in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on September 18th. The 30-track album will feature a brand new Ray Blk song "Warriors", written specifically for the film as well as music from among others Jorja Smith, Little Simz, Stefflon Don, Mae Muller, Lola Young and Mabel ft. Not3s. Speaking about her involvement in the film Ray Blk says: "Rocks is such an incredible movie that so many people, myself included can relate to. I love the story of resilience, strength, and friendship and I believe it will resonate with so many young people so I'm really proud to have been a part of this powerful movie."   Uniquely crafted by a majority all-female creative team in collaboration with mostly first-time actors. ROCKS was written by Theresa Ikoko (winner of the Alfred Fagon award in 2015 for her play Girls) and Claire Wilson (Little Dr...

Skip Marley, who recently made history with his global hit "Slow Down" , alongside Grammy© Award-winning artist H.E.R., which reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Adult R&B chart – a first for a Jamaican-born artist, follows up by dropping the video for ‘‘Make Me Feel’. The video which stars Skip, hip hop legend Rick Ross & fast rising R&B songstress Ari Lennox, is now live. WATCH HERE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KXZOupLJkQ     Both songs feature on Marley’s debut Tuff Gong/Island Records EP, HIGHER PLACE, a 7-track project which is a call to action to Skip's generation, fans, and listeners to inspire people to ascend to a higher place of love and level of consciousness. The project includes new ideas and experiences as well as wisdom that has been passed down through the Marley lineage that Skip likes to call "Marley Mantras." On the release, Skip states, "It is a joy and a blessing for me to share this music with the world. When we s...

Following on from their latest high-octane track ‘Put a Record on’ which highlights their vibrant get-up-and-go attitude towards life, fuelled by good vibes music comes the official remixes from two of the hottest UKG bassline DJ/producers, Sammy Virji and Bushbaby. “Loved working on this remix, putting a 2-step spin on it. Noisy are a really unique and talented band and ready for big things” – Sammy Virji “Sammy and Bushbaby are two of our favourite DJs, having them remix our track was such a buzz” - Noisy Listen to both ‘Put a Record On’ Remixes here> Earlier this year the trio, supported and loved by BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, headlined a sold-out Camden Assembly, following the release of their debut EP ‘Press Space To Play’, which featured single ‘Bring The Drums Back’, an ode to homegrown dance styles in the UK. This paved way to a great deal of opportunities including an invitation to perform at the prestigious Abbey Road studios this month for the Barclaycard Share the S...

Skip Marley, whose history-making global hit "Slow Down" with Grammy© Award-winning artist H.E.R. reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Adult R&B chart in the spring – a first for a Jamaican-born artist – releases his hugely anticipated debut EP, HIGHER PLACE , via Tuff Gong/Island Records. (Full track listing below.)  The 7-track project was named Higher Place as a call to action to Skip's generation, fans, and listeners to inspire people to ascend to a higher place of love and level of consciousness.  The project includes new ideas and experiences as well as wisdom that has been passed down through the Marley lineage that Skip likes to call "Marley Mantras."  On the release, Skip states, "It is a joy and a blessing for me to share this music with the world. When we say 'Higher Place,' we mean good vibrations. Positivity. Conscious influence of the heart and the mind and the soul. Music with a message is the music we love....

NOISY release the official video for ‘Put A Record On’, following BBC Radio 1 Jack Saunders midnight drop and a performance at the prestigious Abbey Road studios for the Barclaycard Share the Stage Series alongside artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Easy Life, Mabel and Celeste. Model Miki Davies stars in the high-octane video for ‘ Put A Record On ’, recorded during lockdown in their home studio in Worthing, highlighting their vibrant get-up-and-go attitude towards life, fuelled by good vibes music even when it seems like the world is against them. “We went on a different direction for this video and decided to not be in it ourselves. We worked with an amazing woman called Miki and our aim was to capture the feeling of the relief music can have on someone’s life, despite any ups and downs, you can always lose yourself in a song” – Says Cody   Watch Put A Record on here> Watch the Barclaycard performance here> Listen to ‘Put a Record On’ here > Earlier this year...

Live streaming today, Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, 1Xtra's Jeremiah Asiamah & Island Records join forces to bring you a day of dancehall & DJ sets, to help celebrate what would have been.   With artists including reggae royalty Skip Marley, Queen of Afrobeats Tiwa Savage and the original dancehall Superstar Sean Paul performing, it's set to be a day of pure vibes and the next best thing to being on the streets of West London this weekend. Live streamed from 1-7pm on Jeremiahasiamah.com the carnival spirit will be alive and kicking in your living room, back yard or garden.Scroll down for schedule; DATE: MONDAY 31ST AUGUST 1-7PM ---------------- LIVE STREAM LINK: Jeremiahasiamah.com 👀👀👀 SCHEDULE: 1:00PM - Welcome by Jeremiah Asiamah LIVE 1:05PM - DJ Nate LIVE 1:45 PM - DJ Larni + PA From IQ LIVE 2:30 PM: - Kenny Allstar + PA From Afro B LIVE 3:15 PM: - DeeJay Why LIVE 3:45 PM - House Gospel Choir LIVE 4;00 PM: - Sef Kombo LIVE 4:30 PM: ...