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

Grammy nominated superstar, GQ US Man Of The Year, and without question one of the most interesting rap artists to emerge in years, Drake is releasing his brilliant new single “Headlines” on October 24th through Young Money/Cash Money Records . The single is released on Drake’s birthday, the same day as his highly anticipated new album “Take Care”, the follow up to his 2010 debut “Thank Me Later” which established the Canadian as one of the breakthrough artists of the year. “Thank Me Later” went Gold in the UK, no mean feat considering the absence of a top ten hit, and went on to sell steadily throughout the year, easily outselling the last Kanye West album. The anticipation “Take Care” has reached fever pitch with the two recent leaked tracks, “Club Paradise” & “Free Spirit”, holding the number 5 and 6 slots on Hype Machine, while Drake is 150,000 likes shy of 20 million on Facebook, has well over 3 million followers on Twitter, has combined Youtube views in excess of a staggerin

Modern indie soul maven MAYER HAWTHORNE unveils HOW DO YOU DO, his anxiously awaited full-length debut for UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC RECORDS, available exclusively on the iTunes Store this week. The album will be available at all retailers on its official release date, October 11th. Among other gems the first single from HOW DO YOU DO, "The Walk," shimmers with seductive soul. It gives a nod to a classic vibe while infusing just the right amount of contemporary energy. Coming off electrifying performances at Lollapalooza 2011 Coachella, SXSW, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Austin City Limits, and a summer tour with Bruno Mars, he's been winning over audiences everywhere. Right now crowds can experience his unique live experience on the road with electronic funk mavericks Chromeo. He continues to wow tastemakers as well. Rolling Stone wrote, "Hawthorne emerges with a jaw-dropping collection of classic soul." Acclaim for Mayer’s sound has come from publications such as Spin,

James Morrison, whose album ‘The Awakening’ is number 1 in the album chart this week, will play a headline UK tour in January and February 2012. The album features the single ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ which went into the UK singles chart at number 5. It also features James’s collaboration with Jessie J, ‘Up’ which will be the next single – released November 27. Tickets for the tour go on sale at 9am on Friday October 7, but fans will be able to order them via this pre-sale link from Wednesday October 5: http://tickets.jamesmorrisonmusic.com UK Tour dates  as follows JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 Sunday 29 Jan  - Dublin Olympia Wednesday 1 Feb - Manchester O2 Apollo Friday 3 - Cambridge Corn Exchange Saturday 4 - Southampton Guildhall Monday 6 - Leicester De Montford Hall Tuesday 7 - Birmingham O2 Academy Thursday 9 - London Hammersmith Apollo Sunday 12 - Southend Cliff Pavilion            Monday 13 - Bristol Colston Hall Wednesday 15 - Glasgow O2 Academy Friday 17 - Leeds O2 Acad