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

Codeine Velvet Club is a new musical collaboration featuring Jon Lawler, lead singer and chief songwriter of The Fratellis and singer-songwriter Lou Hickey, that celebrates their shared love of ’60s girl-boy duets, dramatic orchestral pop, and dark post-war Hollywood and Las Vegas romanticism. “Soaring strings, biting brass, sweet as sugar guitar licks and a healthy dose of noir drama… Add the kind of retro glamour that conjures up late nights in Vegas or Hollywood , stir in the kind of songwriting that oozes class and sophistication then freight in a few world-beating pop hooks. That’s the recipe for the sensational new sound of Codeine Velvet Club” News Of The World, Scotland 13th Sept. ’09. Since their fantastically well reviewed debut headline shows in Glasgow at the Classic Grand and at London’s Bush Hall Codeine Velvet Club are heading out on a full UK tour throughout November and December to coincide with their releases.  Debut single “Vanity Kills” – November 16th Debu

London-born soul singer Dionne Bromfield releases her debut album on October 12 through Lioness Records/Island. “Introducing Dionne Bromfield” is the first album issued by Lioness, the new label created by Amy Winehouse. Amy is also godmother to 13 year-old Dionne and says of her protégée, “She’s so much better than I was at her age.” “Mama Said” , Dionne’s debut single, will be released on November 2nd. Introducing Dionne Bromfield features covers of 12 classic songs that reflect her love of vintage soul music and ‘60s girl groups. Tracks include “Mama Said”, Motown anthem “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, which Dionne has recorded as a duet with fellow Lioness artist Zalon, and “Foolish Little Girl”, originally a hit for The Shirelles in 1963. The full tracklisting is as follows : Tell Him Mama Said Foolish Little Girl My Boy Lollipop Beachwood 45789 Two Can Have A Party He’s So Fine With A Child’s Heart Until You Come Back To Me Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Am I T

Taio Cruz, whose single “ Break Your Heart ” crashed into the UK singles chart this week at no. 1, firmly establishing the 26 year-old Londoner as a genuine solo artist in his own right, has his hugely anticipated second album, ” ROKSTARR ”, released on October 12th through Universal Records. The album features the number 1 smash as well his Top 3 collaboration with Tinchy Stryder “ Take You Back ”. Special guests on the album will include superhot rising US star Ke$ha and Tinchy Stryder. Written, produced and arranged by the multi-talented Cruz the twelve track set also features “Dirty Picture”, “I’ll Never Love Again”, “Only You”, “Feel Again “and the UK Bonus track “The 11th Hour. Although “Break Your Heart” is his first solo release this year, Taio has already enjoyed an extremely productive and successful 2009. As well as completing work on “Rokstarr”, the follow up to the 150,000 selling debut “Departure”, Taio has been writing and producing for Cheryl Cole’s feverishly anticipa

Top pop duo the Yeah You’s have just released  their debut album “Looking through You” on Island Records. The Yeah You’s take the unusual step of releasing a greatest hits compilation as their first album release when their eagerly awaited debut album ‘Looking Through You’ is released on  Island Records. The album was written in keyboard player Mike Kintish’s bedroom in London and recorded in LA with Greg Wells (Mika, Katie Perry & Rufus Wainwright). The Yeah You’s have been tipped for greatness by Popjustice, The Guardian, The Sun and the News of the World amongst others. The album is preceded by the band’s second single “Getting Up With You” sees duo, Nick Ingram and Mike Kintish, at their anthemic song writing best, once again producing a hook filled melody and sing-along chorus that will stick in your head for days.. “ Looking Through You ” contains 12 new songs, including their debut hit single “15 Minutes”, a wry look at pop stardom that, ironically, propelled the duo onto t

‘Soundclashing whirlwind’ V V Brown will release her brand new single “Game Over” on September 21st through Island Records.   V V, whose beautiful debut album ” Travelling Like The Light ” has just been released to huge critical acclaim, has had a busy summer wowing festival crowds at Glastonbury, T In The Park, Lovebox, Camp Bestival and Secret Garden Party.   She will also bring her unique brand of exhilarating pop to V Festival in August and Bestival in September. V V first came to the world’s attention after landing an upfront slot on ‘Later With Jools Holland’.   Her performance on the show won her a lot of admirers including Damon Albarn who invited her to perform on his Africa Express adventure in Lagos , which provided inspiration for the song ‘Game Over’.   Says V V: “ The Africa Express trip inspired me to get more involved in African music so we experimented with African sounds and beats and came up with a lyric about the ending of a relationship. I got the opportunity to pl

Mumford & Sons release their debut album, ‘ Sigh No More ’ through Gentlemen Of The Road / Island Records on the 5th October 2009 . It will be preceded by a new single, ‘ Little Lion Man ’, on the 28th September. Fresh from a series of acclaimed festival appearances throughout the Summer, Mumford & Sons deliver their eagerly anticipated debut album as one of Britain ’s most beguiling young acts in years. Creating a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills & Nash with the might of Kings of Leon, the incredible energy of Mumford & Sons draws us quickly into their circle of songs: to the warmth of their stories and to this magical community of misty-eyed men. Since the band formed in late 2007, their primary goal has been to make music that matters. Mumford & Sons are Marcus Mumford (vocals, guitar, bass drum, and tambourine strapped to his left foot and right), Ben Lovett (keyboards), Country Winston (banjo, dobro, electric guitar) and Ted Dwane

NATALIE IMBRUGLIA RETURNS WITH A BRAND NEW SINGLE & ALBUM HER FIRST LONDON SHOW FOR 4 YEARS AT THE LUMINAIRE ON AUGUST 12 SOLD OUT BEFORE IT WAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED. Natalie Imbruglia is set to return to the charts with her highly anticipated new studio album ‘ Come To Life ’ released on Island Records on October 5. It will be preceded by the single ‘Want’ on September 28. The album was produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, Elbow, Depeche Mode), and features three writing collaborations with Coldplay including the first single ‘Want’, which Natalie co-wrote with Chris Martin. One of the tracks is produced by Brian Eno and Markus Dravs. Four years after her last studio album “Counting Down The Days” debuted at No 1 in the UK, Natalie’s total album sales now amount to 8 million worldwide, whilst her single sales total over 2 million. “Come To Life”, though, charts an entirely new path for this vastly under-rated artist. The opening salvo of “My God”, “Lukas” and “Fun” immediately establ