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

J essie Ware is a proper pop star. With her soulful, melancholy vocal, effortlessly elegant songwriting skills and, of course, that striking slicked-back hair, she marks a new era for pop. Her outstanding debut album Devotion combines the ultra-modern feel of downtempo R&B and British electronic music. South London born Jessie started singing at school, inspired by the romance of her mother's Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald Sings Cole Porter tapes, appearing in musicals and picking up some classical training along the way. Jessie cut her teeth as a vocalist when she wrote the track Nervous with SBTRKT. She then hooked up with Sampha, who had also sung on Nervous, to write Valentine, one of last year's sweetest tracks, all breathy vocals and beautiful simplicity. Armed with those two songs and riding a growing wave of hype, she was snapped up by brand new label PMR. With her name on everyone's lips, the time seemed right for an album. But, despite another big guest

Childish Gambino, whose two sell-out London dates earlier this year were among the rawest, most electrifying hip hop shows for many a year, has his brand new Glassnote/Island single “Firefly” released on August 6th. The single is taken from Gambino’s recently released and universally acclaimed first album proper “CAMP” which established the actor/comedian/writer as one of the most challenging, exciting and lyrically interesting talents to emerge in hip hop. “Camp” was produced by Swedish composer and long-time collaborator Ludwig Göransson, and the 13 tracks also include “Bonfire”, “Backpackers”, “L.E.S.”, and standout closer “That Power”. Born Donald Glover, Childish Gambino got his hip hop name from the Wu-tang name generator, but is best known in the US as an actor starring in the NBC hit show “Community” alongside Chevy Chase. Glover has also recently been lauded by Rolling Stone as one of America’s best young comedians and on his recent sell-out I AM DONALD TOUR played to ove

Having recently played a sell out run of shows in New York and Toronto and currently playing a few European dates as well as gearing up for some festival appearances, Paul Weller released a new single “The Attic” on July 23rd. “The Attic” is the third single from the outstanding critically acclaimed No. 1 album “Sonik Kicks” and will be released as a Digital EP and will be backed by brand new track The Piper and the full length version of album track Sleep Of The Serene. “The Attic” motors along in a space-age rockabilly style, with Paul Weller crooning like a pining teen idol for his lover. “Lyrically, it’s a bit lovelorn” he says. After playing his shows in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Luxembourg last month, Paul performed live from Jodrell Bank on 24th June along with Graham Coxon and Baxter Dury. He then played  headlined the Sunday night at Latitude. his only UK festival this year, TRACKLISTING : Attic The Piper Sleep Of The Serene (Full Length Version) Just some of th

The UK has never been more ready for Cleo Sol and it's certainly been a long time since we were proud to champion a real UK pop soul diva that deserved the props. Set to launch her attack on the UK airwaves, Cleo released her debut single 'Never The Right Time' on June 18th through Island Records. After years of singing for family and friends ‘Cleo Sol’ was born (the Sol paying homage to her sunny Spanish heritage) a moniker she created at aged 16. She then posted a few tracks on MySpace and was spotted by veteran underground producer Davinche (Kano’s P’s & Q’s). This relationship proved to be instrumental in putting her in the frame with some of the most impressive names on the UK Urban scene including Tinie Tempah (she featured on ‘Tears’), Wretch 32’s ‘Dancefloor’, Bashy's ‘Riding for Love’ and of course Davinche’s ‘Hero’. In 2010, Cleo also featured on ‘Give a Little Love’ with Roll Deep and Wretch 32. 'Never The Right Time' is Cleo Sol's statement

Keane released their new single 'Sovereign Light Café' on 23rd July 2012, through Island Records. Keane's new album 'Strangeland' entered the UK charts at Number one to make it their fifth consecutive number one album, equaling Coldplay and Radiohead, and beaten only by The Beatles. 'Strangeland' has debuted in the top ten in twenty countries around the world. It is their fourth studio album, after 'Hopes & Fears' (2004); 'Under The Iron Sea' (2006); 'Perfect Symmetry' (2008) and the 'Night Train' EP (2010) which also topped the UK Album Chart.You could say that 'Sovereign Light Café' is the theme to 'Strangeland'. It was the first song that Tim wrote for the album - the idea came to him in a taxi in Sao Paulo. The title name checks the seafront café in Bexhill where, as teenagers cycling from nearby Battle, he and Keane drummer Richard Hughes would “spend hours sunbathing underneath cloudy skies.” Once a

Following the 200,000+ sales of his top 10 debut album Every Kingdom in the UK alone, two sold-outs tours of the US (multiple, and contemplating a hectic Summer of festival appearances ahead of his biggest, UK tour to date, Ben finds himself positioned as one of the most successful young singer-songwriters from the UK and Europe in years. Old Pine is a woozy, languid song, both cathartic and quietly euphoric. A long-standing live favourite, Ben’s percussive perfection is matched with the driving intricacies of his guitar playing and, smoky controlled voice. Originally released in the Spring of 2011 as an introductory EP through Communion Records, Old Pine has already played a crucial part in introducing Ben to a bigger, broader audience. He has since played to over 80,000 thousand fans at over 120 sold out performances. His UK tour later this year has now sold in excess of 50,000 tickets alone, culminating in three sell-out nights at London's Brixton Academy. Ben How

Devlin is pleased to announce details of a UK tour for later this year. The Dagenham born rapper will play four shows in November in support of his forthcoming second album, A Moving Picture, released on the 29th October. The dates kick off in Birmingham on the 9th November, and conclude at London’s Scala on the 13th November. Tickets are £11.50 (London £13.50) on pre-sale from 17th July, and on general sale from 20th July through www.livenation.co.uk and www.gigsinscotland.com . As previously announced, Devlin’s forthcoming single (All Along The) Watch Tower Ft. Ed Sheeran is out on the 20th August through Island Records. Watch the video here: Devlin Live: 19th August – V Festival, Stafford 24th August – Ibiza Rocks, Ibiza 1st September – Jersey Live, Jersey 9th November – Institute Library, Birmingham 10th November – Classic Grand, Glasgow 11th November – Academy 3, Manchester 13th November – Scala, London www.officialdevlin.com