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

Five years on from his acclaimed debut album, Tom Vek is back. The self-taught recording artist's process and musical output is loaded with cryptic contradictions; his scrappy, chopped-up, beat rock sounds are housed in contrasting clean and precise artwork; this new era's trademark, the obsessively refined pair of British made Anglo American glasses, sit unworn on the cover of the focused new 12-track album. Even its title, Leisure Seizure, is an intriguing juxtaposition.Vek spontaneously released his first album just as the digital age was dawning, guest starred on The O.C. and then disappeared. British-born, his references are rooted in American culture, ranging from mid 90s alt-rock, cable access TV shows and post-war fiction. Raised in south-west London, Vek originally trained in graphic design at Central Saint Martin’s. During this time he wrote and recorded his debut album, We Have Sound. The album was released on the cusp of the information age with social-networking s

Last year saw East Londoner Kwasi Danqua , aka Tinchy Stryder deliver the biggest underground-crossover hit of 2010. The sensational “Game Over” featured a stellar array of the finest UK MC’s: Giggs, Professor Green, Tinie Tempah, Devlin, Example and Chipmunk who all collectively shaped a track that celebrated the best in UK urban talent and created the biggest hype of the year. And now Tinchy Stryder has reunited with multi-platinum selling N Dubz’ Dappy to bring you a new smash - the new hotly anticipated single ‘Spaceship’ scheduled for release 13th June 2011. Fashion entrepreneur Tinchy Stryder spent the first half of this year developing his eminent brand and accessories brand Star In The Hood. Due to phenomenal demand, Star In The Hood has expanded greatly, it is available nationwide and is now being stocked overseas in stores all across Europe. In addition to overseeing his rapidly growing business, Tinchy also recently partook in the well documented Jamie Oliver series Dream S

Ren Harvieu is brand new, just out of her teens, realer than real ale. She sounds one way and looks and acts completely differently. Very little is known about her, virtually no online presence, no Brit School training, no showbiz connections, just a young girl with a truly remarkable voice and a set of songs that will stir your soul and break your heart. The youngest of three girls, her dad sang in pubs in and around Manchester, while Ren sang in the odd local talent show, one called ‘Salford Superstar’. 20 year old Salford born singer Ren Harvieu, has her debut single “Through The Night” released on July 4th through Kid Gloves/Island Records. Co-written by Ren, Chris O’Neill and Ed Harcourt and produced by Jimmy Hogarth, this beautifully orchestrated slice of classic yearning is taken from the album, also entitled, ”Through The Night” which will be released in September. Ren has just been confirmed to appear on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury on Saturday June 25 and has als

New Island Records signing Alex Clare, whose Diplo & Switch produced tracks “Up All Night” and “Too Close” have generated a genuine buzz across radio, press and the blogosphere, has his eagerly awaited debut album ”The Lateness Of The Hour” released on July 11th. Diplo & Switch, who are very particular about who they work with, are on fire at the moment, with Switch producing 7 tracks on the new Beyonce album while Diplo has produced the next Chris Brown single feat. Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, which is shaping up to be a monster. In addition Beyonce has sampled Major Lazer “Pon The Floor” for her comeback single. “The Lateness Of The Hour” was recorded in New Orleans, Jamaica, Los Angeles and London and was produced in the main by Diplo & Switch, with Eg White (Adele) adding a couple of tunes. Featured tracks on the 11 song set which introduce Clare as an exciting new talent very difficult to pin down, include “Relax My Beloved”, Hummingbird”, “Whispering”, “Hands Are

Fresh from touring with Jessie J and supporting NDubz on their sold out Arena tour, Encore are ready to make their mark on contemporary British pop music with release of the remarkable ‘Tit For Tat’. ‘Tit For Tat’ is released on July 17th 2011 and, true to Encore’s trademark blend, manages to combine a banging baseline and a gritty production with soulful vocal melodies, edgy rhymes and sweet harmonies. Encore are Pierre Joseph, Cairo Woodword and Mark Asari, initially three solo artists who were already making a mark in their own right on the urban music circuit. A preliminary collaboration session in the studio, after meeting at an open mic night in early 2009 eventually led to the creation of Encore; an urban boy band with a distinctively pop edge. Creatively the boys emerge from all walks of their deferring musical lives. Mark is a noted songwriter, Cairo a producer and Pierre a rapper. Together they create the perfect blend of smooth vocals, head bopping beats, individual lyrics

  15 year old London-born soul singer Dionne Bromfield, whose wickedly infectious new single “Yeah Right” has re-introduced her as one of the brightest young talents the UK has produced in years, follows up with the release on July 4th of her hotly anticipated new album ”Good For The Soul” . The album, released via friend and mentor Amy Winehouse’s Lioness label, is a collection of all new songs co-written by Dionne and some of the UK’s premier songwriters, and looks set to establish her as a writer and genuine star in her own right. Co-written by Dionne and writer/producers Steve Booker (Duffy) and Paul O’Duffy (Amy Winehouse, Dusty Springfield), “Good For The Soul” features 14 all new tracks including debut single “Yeah Right” which features Diggy Simmons, future singles “Sweetest Thing” and “Foolin’”, “Too Soon To Call It Love”, “A Little Love”, “Time Will Tell” and the title track. Dionne Bromfield came to the attention of the world’s media when she became the first signing to Amy

CocknBullKid, one of the most acclaimed young British artists to emerge in recent years has just released her hotly anticipated debut album ‘ Adulthood ’. The album, co-written by Anita alongside a host of talents including the eccentric, electronic piano man Gonzales, who worked on half the record, is a full functioning pop odyssey that looks set to soundtrack the summer of 2011. Recent Post: Fully grown and ready to blow: that's CocknBullKid, 2011.  CocknBullKid supports Duran Duran on their arena tour on the following dates: 28/5 O2 Arena London 30/5 Brighton Centre 31/5 Bournemouth International Centre 1/6 Cardiff International Arena 3/6 Manchester M.E.N Arena 4/6 Sheffield Arena Buy Cocknbullkid " Adulthood" CD Adulthood (Deluxe Edition) - Cocknbullkid