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

Fresh from the release of the soulful Running, Jessie Ware is proud to announce the release of 110% through PMR Records. The new track is produced by Julio Bashmore. Currently cementing herself as one of the freshest talents to emerge from the UK underground, Jessie’s album is set to drop late Summer – herself and Dave Okumu (The Invisible) have been working on the eagerly anticipated debut at Red Bull Studios for the past seven months. After a hugely successful debut London show at The Nave recently, Jessie is also pleased to announce a homecoming gig at Brixton's Plan B venue on August 15th. Jessie will be playing festivals over the Summer throughout the UK & Europe finishing up with the Plan B show (full dates below). 06/07 - Pitch Festival, Amsterdam 07/07 - Nova Festival, Pulborough, West Sussex 13/07 - Melt Festival, Berlin 15/08 - Plan B, London 17/08 - Beacons Festival, Yorkshire 18/08 - Pukkelpop, Belgium 08/09 - Bestival, Isle of Wight   myspace.com/jess

Melodica, Melody and Me have already achieved a great deal for what is still the bands very early days and their individual early years. Their first two singles Piece Me Back Together and Come Outside were play-listed by XFM and enjoyed repeated outings on Radio1, Radio2 and 6Music. While the early internet buzz soon bubbled into the print sphere, with glowing coverage in - to name only a few- NME, Sunday Times Culture Magazine, Songlines and Guardian. Having toured with Laura Marling, Monford & Sons , Bombay Bicycle Club and Johnny Flynn MM&M have, in the past, been filed under nu-folk. However as their new single Imperfect Time - and the forthcoming debut album from which the track is taken - will prove, the sound of MM&M is something far bigger, wider reaching and adventurous. Growing up in Brixton, they were raised on the sounds of thier multi-cultural neighbours spanning countless continents and genres. The songs of MM&M therefore seamlessly marry Latin Amer

‘My Head Is an Animal’, the debut album from Icelandic alternative folk sensation Of Monsters and Men- #1 in the US iTunes charts, is scheduled for UK release on the 23rd July through Island Records. Of Monsters and Men began as the solo project of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir however it quickly grew with the additions of friends Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson (co-singer/guitarist), Brynjar Leifsson (guitarist), Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson (drummer), Árni Guðjónsson (piano/accordion player) and Kristján Páll Kristjánsson (bassist) Crafting epic songs inspired by their amazing homeland, fairy tales and personal history, the band went from battle of the bands winners to the breakthrough act at this year’s Iceland Airwaves and SXSW festival. The bands self-released, first single ‘Little Talks’ to date has sold an impressive 400,000 copies and received 3 million views on YouTube. Of Monsters and Men continue to make waves among fans and tastemakers alike. ‘My Head is an Animal’ has already e