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

The X Factor may be over but Kelly Rowland is back, empowered and more assertive than ever with new single, ‘Lay It On Me’, released on February 6th through Island Records. The up-tempo, feel good track is the perfect fusion of old school feel with a modern twist and just the right amount of sexy. ‘Lay It On Me’, taken from Kelly’s third studio album, ‘Here I Am’, was produced by American Grammy Award nominated producer, Hit-Boy and features US rapper, Big Sean. The video sees Kelly unleash her inner naughty as she glistens in a sea of sparsely-clad male dancers and features a cameo from baby elephant Susie. Kelly oozes sex appeal - if there was ever a video that was ‘classy, dirty’, this is it. ‘Lay it On Me’ sees Kelly come into her own as a solo star. With lyrics that will leave you hot under the collar, it’s clear that Kelly is in a confident and sassy place and the sexiest we’ve ever seen her. 2011 was a defining year for Kelly - debuting as a new judge on ITV1's The X F

Ben Howard releases his new single, ‘The Wolves’ on the 27th February 2012 through Island Records. It is taken from Ben’s top 10 debut album, ‘Every Kingdom’. 2011 was a hugely successful introduction to the music of Ben Howard. The young Devonshire singer-songwriter wrote his own story based on twelve months of relentless European and British touring, a string of radio-friendly, folk-informed singles, and an acclaimed debut album. Where his peers have become very British successes, Ben has been building a solid, fanatical fanbase across Europe, appearing on France’s hugely respected Taratata television programme alongside Coldplay, and selling out every show announced (including venue upgrades). In 2012 Ben will launch his music in America with ‘Every Kingdom’ finding a release in the Spring through Communion Records, with appearances at SXSW in Texas and a US tour already confirmed. Regularly compared to the likes of John Martyn, Donovan, and Bon Iver, Every Kingdom (produced by the

Having already topped the charts in 5 countries and with nearly 40 million hits and counting on YouTube, Gotye will release the much anticipated single ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ in the UK on 6th February via Communion / Island Records. 2012 looks set to be a very exciting year for hotly tipped Belgium born Melbourne based multi-instrumentalist and producer, Gotye. Following two sold out London shows in October, his album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall has sold out and his newly announced show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire looks set to do the same, proving that the current swell of worldwide support has its sights set firmly on the UK. Upon its online release in June the video for the stunning track Somebody That I Used To Know triggered an overwhelming worldwide response. Just three weeks after Gotye posted it on YouTube the song had received nearly four million hits (this number has now nearly reached 40 million, currently averaging more than 1 million hits a day), topped the cha