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

NEW YORK, NY (October 30, 2020) – Today, 22-year-old singer, songwriter, actress, model and activist Paris Jackson makes her solo debut with a song and music video entitled “Let Down.” This notably marks her inaugural solo release for Republic Records. It also paves the way for her first full-length album, Wilted, arriving on November 13, 202 Written by Paris herself and produced by Manchester Orchestra's Andy Hull, “Let Down” tells a story of heartbreak through alternative-folk and singer-songwriter sounds and influences. Asserting herself as a creative chameleon, the track shows yet another side of the singer. Glassy acoustic strumming gives way to her lilting delivery as the soundscape envelopes airy synths and lithe guitar leads. Pensive lyrical poetry takes hold as Paris paints a picture of “eyes painted black, tragic paperback,” before she admits, “You were my all, and now, I fall to the ground.” The music video translates this spirit in a nostalgic vignette punctuate...

Ray Blk who has established herself as one of the UK's most challenging and important female voices, drops her new Island single "Lovesick", the first release from the South London artist's eagerly awaited debut album. "Lovesick" comes hot on the heels of Ray's track "Warriors", the lead song from the universally acclaimed girlhood drama ROCKS. Ray wrote the powerful anthem specifically for the film and both these new tracks show an artist at the height of her creative powers and bode well for the album which will be released in 2021. Speaking about the inspiration behind "Lovesick" Ray says: " Lovesick is a revenge song. It's about taking control and reclaiming your power after being disrespected in a relationship and getting even. I'm always trying to empower women not to take disrespect sitting down but to keep a distance from people who don't make them feel good about themselves and boss up because success is the...

A 7” singles box set comprising all of Amy Winehouse’s memorable singles from the Frank, Back To Black and Lioness: Hidden Treasures albums, will be released on November 20th.  Featured tracks include ‘Stronger Than Me’, ‘Rehab’ and ‘Love Is A Losing Game’, all of which won the Ivor Novello Award for Amy in 2004, 2007 and 2008. The set also includes the Grammy Award winning ‘Body and Soul’, a duet with the legendary Tony Bennett. The singles will be housed in individual picture sleeves and pressed on black vinyl. The deluxe box also features a 20-page lyrics booklet and a set of art cards.  The following week November 27 th , The Collection, a  5CD collection featuring the albums Frank, Back To Black and Lioness: Hidden Treasures, will be released via UMC/Island.   Frank was Amy’s debut album, originally released on 20 th October 2003 and features the hit single ‘Stronger Than Me’ for which Amy won an Ivor Novello Award in 2004. Back To Black, widely regarded ...

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...