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

Fashion icon, V V Brown whose beautiful debut album ” Travelling Like The Light ” has just been released to huge critical acclaim is to take to the road on tour at the beginning of November She will be performing at the following dates:    Buy Tickets                                                         Nov 4 Manchester Club Academy Manchester Nov 5 Sheffield Academy 2 Sheffield Nov 6 Northampton Roadmender Northampton Nov 9 Birmingham Academy 2 Birmingham Nov 10 Glasgow King Tuts Glasgow Nov 11 Newcastle Academy 2 Newcastle Nov 13 Leeds Cockpit Leeds Nov 14 Bristol Thekla Bristol Nov 16 Nottingham Rescue Rooms Nottingham Nov 18 Brighton Concorde 2 Brighton Nov 19 Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach Cardiff Nov 23 London ULU London

Frankmusik is a unique proposition in 2009, multi-talented, ferociously productive, a motor-mouth, thinking, making, doing at high speeds. In 09 Frankmusik is the future of pop futuristism. Which other male newcomer this year would have the drive to have written/produced a brilliant debut album, tracks for other Top 10 stars, remix The Pet Shop Boys and his whole album into a ‘night’ version. His creativity is all-night compulsive. In terms of raw talent Frankmusik is exceptional, his output prodigious. ‘ Complete Me ’ , available now is the debut album by Frankmusik and an introduction to a major new British pop star. - Buy Tickets Frankmusik Tour November Monday 2nd   Phoenix    14+    Exeter Tuesday   3rd Thekla   14+   Bristol Wednesday 4th Rescue Rooms   14+   Nottingham Friday   6th   Cockpit 16+/14 acc Leeds Saturday 7th   Plug 14+   Sheffield Sunday 8th   Academy 2   16+/14 acc   Birmingham Monday   9th   Other Rooms   16+/U18 acc N ewcastle Wednesda

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