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

Paul Weller releases his tenth studio solo album “ Wake Up The Nation ” on April 12th on Island Records. After an unparalleled career, characterised by constant musical experimentation, we should be used to Paul Weller’s relentless desire to chop and change his musical pack. But after the triumphant, Brit-bagging success of 22 Dreams (his third solo number one) Wake Up The Nation album sees rock’s most iconic songwriter come up trumps once more. Lean, mean and as uncompromisingly focused as it’s maker, Wake Up The Nation also brings Paul Weller full circle: twenty-eight years on from The Jam’s split, two tracks feature the former bassist Bruce Foxton . The album also sees contributions from My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields , The Move’s Bev Bevan and legendary session drummer Clem Cattini. Passion, progression, and, as ever, spine-tingling rock’n’roll –Paul Weller has, yet again delivered the perfect soundtrack as we embark on a new decade. Buy Wake up the Nation from Paul Well

Multi-platinum selling global artist, Gabriella Cilmi will join Leona Lewis on her forthcoming UK tour . The recently turned 18 Australian-Italian songstress burst onto the scene in 2008 with her critically acclaimed debut album ‘Lessons to be Learned’, featuring the worldwide mega hit, ‘Sweet About Me’, and has recently scored a top 10 hit with her infectious dance-floor anthem, ‘ On A Mission ’. ‘On A Mission’ was the first release from Gabriella Cilmi’s second album ‘Ten’, which sees her discovering her inner disco diva. Inspired by the likes of Giogrio Moroder, Blondie and Donna Summer, and working alongside the likes of uber producers Dallas Austin (TLC, Gwen Stefani, Michael Jackson), Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys), and Greg Kursten (Lily Allen, Little Boots, Flaming Lips), Gabriella has created a body of work that takes new wave and classic dance influences into poptastic future disco for the 21st century. Gabriella is set to release her ‘Hearts Don

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals Debut UK single ‘Tiny Light’ Released June 6th on Island Records. The act named as one of Rolling Stone’s Best New Bands of 2010 will release their debut UK single on June 6th. The powerful, spine-tingler of a track, ‘Tiny Light’, comes from Grace Potter and the Nocturnal’s forthcoming, self-titled album. Produced by Mark Batson (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z), the song kicks off with a moody AOR tinged kind of melancholy that wouldn’t seem out of place next to the more downbeat moments on Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Tusk’ . Hope and redemption come in the shape of a soaring chorus as well as through Grace’s cathartic, powerhouse wails at the climax of the song. Inspired by the worldwide financial crisis of the past few years, the song’s intensity should come as no surprise, but what is a shock - albeit a pleasant one – is the way Grace’s vocals morph from honeyed huskiness into a full throttle, Janis Joplin -worthy siren screech. Impressively howling and crooning h