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

Guitar and voice as one on this fabulous tune. Just watched KT Tunstall's fabulous acoustic version on "Later" with Jools Holland, Pre-order on iTunes new album Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon (Deluxe Version) - KT Tunstall   Here's an acoustic version

Having steadily built a name for themselves as purveyors of a standard of music production way beyond their tender years, Disclosure have spent a solid couple of years honing their prolific output, which includes two Top 10 singles so far in 2013. Now they are delighted to announce that their debut album, ‘Settle’, will be released on June 3rd through PMR Records (home to, among others, Jessie Ware and Julio Bashmore). For a while it seemed like the chain-of-command in Britain’s dance establishment was forever set in stone. The Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx and Fatboy Slim would headline festivals from now until the end of days. The only way a new UK dance act could reach millions of people was to get a song on Masterchef . But in less than a year, Disclosure have turned all that on its head. The most successful British dance act in a generation, they’ve not only soared to the top of the charts and sold out venues across the world – they’ve also changed the nature of British

Since the fantastic response to his special release last month (Love for $ale Feat Roots Manuva), Jamie Cullum is pleased to announce the full details of his sixth studio album, ‘Momentum’, released on 20th May 2013 via his new record label Island Records . Having sold over ten million records worldwide, performing to sold out tours across the globe, working on a variety of unique projects that have seen him collaborate with a range of artists from Stevie Wonder, Pharrell, Sander Kleinenberg, Rizzle Kicks to The Roots, Jamie continues to enjoy an incredible creative roll. The album, titled ‘Momentum’ for good reason, is bursting with ideas and inspirations which almost have a life of their own. Indeed, Jamie approached this record in a completely different way to his previous LPs, for the first time using DIY home demos as a blueprint for the majority of its tracks… and for a while, using everything from iPhone apps, charity shop keyboards and cassette recorders as his ‘go-to’ instr

Dave Grohl is drumming for them, Pharrell Williams is writing with them, Beastie Boys right hand man Mario C is remixing for them and everyone from The Fader to NME and Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and Zane Low are talking about them . Introducing RDGLDGRN (pronounced Red Gold Green) the Washington DC based trio who gained widespread recognition when they self-released a song called ‘I Love Lamp’ on YouTube late last year. Within just a few weeks the video had 100,000 views and they were on their way to begin recording their debut album at the historic Sound City Studios in California . It was there, in the same studio where Nevermind was created, that the band caught the attention of Foos frontman and rock legend Dave Grohl , who was so impressed he offered to play drums on the album. And it’s not just rock royalty that are into RDGLDGRN, the hip-hop community is also taken by the band’s unique sound, with genre-bending artist and producer Pharrell Williams (N.E.R.D., The Neptunes), co

Rising star John Newman, who has already written and fronted both the glorious Rudimental number 1 single, “Feel The Love”, and the follow up smash “Not Giving In”, steps out on his own with the release on July 1st of his debut solo single “Love Me Again” . John, who is currently wowing audiences across the country as special guest, and featured singer, on friends Rudimental’s sell-out UK tour , will play his first headline UK show at The Lexington in London on July 11th . Tickets will be made exclusively available for this intimate show to members of John’s mailing list on May 15th. Fans can sign up ahead of the on-sale date now at http://johnnewman.co.uk . A rousing and uplifting anthem, “Love Me Again”, was written and produced by the young artist and looks set to give Newman his first solo smash. Fans of the multi-talented writer/artist/producer/singer have been hearing John premiering tracks from his forthcoming debut LP on the Rudimental’s tour. The Yorkshire born, London bas

Tribes returned late 2012, only 11 months after their debut album ‘Baby’, with a free download of ‘Wrapped Up In A Carpet’. Intended as a taster for fans of their upcoming second album, the track got an amazing response and ended up being picked up by radio, including Radio 1, 6 Music and an XFM evening playlist add Their second album, ‘Wish To Scream’, which was recorded at the famed Sound City Studio in LA, where Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ were made, is due for release on Island on May 20. You can see the video for ‘Wrapped Up In A Carpet’ here: The first part of Tribes 2013 touring plan sees them head out on a regional tour in April, full dates below finishing up at The Roundhouse, London. UK Tour 21/5 Oran Mor, Glasgow ( Tickets ) 22/5 Academy 3, Manchester ( Tickets ) 23/5 Institute Library, Birmingham ( Tickets ) 28/5 Thekla, Bristol ( Tickets ) 29/5 The Roundhouse, London ( Tickets ) Wish to Scream album – May 20: 1.      

Off the back of storming the UK charts once again with latest single ‘White Noise feat AlunaGeorge’, Disclosure are extremely excited to announce their debut album, ‘Settle’, out June 3rd on PMR Records. It will be preceded by new single ‘You & Me’, which is available to buy from iTunes and physically from June 3rd. The first taste of new material from the album, ‘You & Me’ features Eliza Doolittle and, as you’d expect, yet again proves Disclosure’s ability in bringing the best out of their vocal collaborators, with Eliza’s lustrous vocal immersed among Disclosure’s trademark 2-step garage rhythms, once again showing beyond doubt their capacity in delivering yet another anthem alongside previous singles ‘Latch’ and ‘White Noise’.Having steadily built a name for themselves as purveyors of a standard of music production way beyond their tender years, they’ve spent a solid couple of years honing their already prolific output into what’s sure to be one of the debuts of 2013 – in

Tribes are back with their second album, ‘Wish To Scream’ on May 20. Preceded by the single ‘Dancehall’ on 20th May, which follows the instant anthem of first single ‘How The Other Half Live’ , released just 11 months after their debut album ‘Baby’. ‘Dancehall’, a hands in the air festivals classic in waiting, kicks off the upcoming second album ‘Wish To Scream’, which was produced by Kevin Augunas and recorded at the famed Sound City Studio in LA, where Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ and F leetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ were brought to life. Tribes are about to head out on a UK tour, many of the venues having sold out or been upgraded due to demand, dates below: Tribes Live: 4th May – Live At Leeds 18th May – The Great Escape (Paganini Club), Brighton 21st May – Oran Mor, Glasgow 22nd May – Academy 2, Manchester 23rd May – Institute Library, Birmingham 28th May – Thekla, Bristol 29th May – The Roundhouse, London 29th June – Hard Rock Calling, Olympic Stadium, London 6th July – Hyde

'Love Cards' is the brand new single by Devlin, featuring rising newcomer Etta Bond. It is released on the 20th May through Island Records. This single is taken from Devlin's acclaimed second album ‘ A Moving Picture ’. Produced by Raf Riley, it follows Devlin's previous two top 10 hits off the album - (All Along The) Watchtower feat Ed Sheeran and ‘Rewind’. Love Cards is arguably the most sonically compelling track on the record, finding the 23 year old at his most acerbic and incisive, and looks set to become another huge anthem for this gifted and widely respected young artist. Devlin preceded the release of ‘Love Cards’ with a headline show at London's Koko on the 30th April and this is followed by Summer festival appearances at Reading and Leeds (headlining the 1Xtra Stage), Isle of Wight, Wireless (supporting Jay Z), and Beachbreak.  Devlin Live:   15th June - Isle of Wight Festival  21st June - Beachbreak Festival, Cornwall  13th July – Wirele

Undisputed Hip Hop Queen, and Global superstar, Nicki Minaj, one of the hottest, most colourful and exciting stars to emerge in music in recent years, has her new single “High School” released on May 6th through Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Records. In the US the single has given Minaj, a relative newcomer, her 44th Hot 100 hit, equalling the record of fellow 'American Idol' judge Mariah Carey. "High School", featuring friend and label mate Lil Wayn e, is taken from Minaj's recent album " Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up," and Wayne also appears in the accompanying video. Nicki’s original multi-platinum Pink Friday album entered the UK chart at no. 1 and she followed that feat with a triumphant sell-out UK Arena tour. With more than 3 million albums sold globally, almost 30 million likes on Facebook, over 16 million followers on Twitter, and her own signature perfume “Pink Friday” launched, this 5’ 2” phenomenon is unquestionably one of

Since it’s release in summer of last year, Jessie Ware’s debut album ‘Devotion’ has become one of the most acclaimed records of the past twelve months, earning the singer fans from all quarters and recognition from the Mercury Prize panel and the Brits. A special album was re-released on April 15, with the addition of four bonus tracks including two previously unheard cuts – ‘Imagine It Was Us’ and ‘Wildest Moments (remix) Featuring A$AP Rocky’. Teaming up again with album collaborator Julio Bashmore, ‘Imagine It Was Us’ has one eye firmly on the dancefloor whilst retaining the sultry soulfulness that Jessie’s voice has garnered so much praise for. One person who has been vocal in his admiration for the South London singer is A$AP Rocky, who earlier this year announced that he was a big fan of hers and wanted to work on something together. This has led to ‘Wildest Moments (remix) Featuring A$AP Rocky’, in which the New York rapper adds his characteristic slow-paced drawl to the trac

LOWER THAN ATLANTIS have announced the release of the single, Something Better Came Along. The track is the third single to be taken from their major label debut, Changing Tune.   Changing Tune (Deluxe Edition) - Lower Than Atlantis available on iTunes Something Better Came Along - Changing Tune available on iTunes

Kid Cudi, Grammy Award winner, producer, song writer, acclaimed actor and one of hip hop’s most challenging and consistently innovative artists returned, with his highly anticipated third studio album, “Indicud” on April 15th. ‘Girls’, the forthcoming single featuring Too $hort is released on May 6th. “Indicud”, the follow up to 2010’s “Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager” comes loaded with features from the cream of today’s hottest artists, including A$AP Rocky and Haim. On ‘Solo Dollo Part II’ Cudi enlists the skills of hip hop heavyweight Kendrick Lamar, giving a new twist to part one, ‘Solo Dolo’, from his 2009 debut album “Man on the Moon: The End of Day”. Over the course of the album, Cudi expands his hip hop galaxy through mystical production, colourful soundscapes, and airtight rhyming. In less than 24 hours of going live, “Indicud” stormed up the US iTunes album charts, showing as the highest charting pre order on both the main album & hip hop album charts

Canadian trio Half Moon Run are pleased to announce details of their debut single. ‘Full Circle’ which was released through Communion on the 8th April 2013. Fronted by Devon Portielje, Half Moon Run arrive from their Montreal rehearsal rooms with a debut album, local adoration, and endless links of hefty blog praise across the globe. Full Circle is a teasing example of why this acclaim has already become an tangible response. It’s the sound of hazy 60’s folk, imbued with three-part harmonies and warm, psychedelic undertones. Canadians rely on their finest musical exports to deliver the complex, the dynamic, and the interesting (Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, The Band, Metric), and Half Moon Run infuse their music with some of the finer points of all four. Percussive, rhythmic, and mightily impressive, Half Moon Run are a beguiling listen from their opening notes, but with a hugely impressive album due imminently, ‘Full Circle’ barely scratches the surface of what to expect.

Willy Moon  released his debut album ‘Here’s Willy Moon’ through Island Records on 8th April 2013. ‘Here’s Willy Moon’ was written, recorded and produced all on his own (with a few tracks being produced by Pulp's Steve Mackey) and he doesn’t blend different sounds; he smashes them together. There’s no middle ground. It’s as if rock’n’roll had been deep-frozen in 1965, just before the Beatles discovered acid, and abruptly reanimated 45 years later by a laptop hip hop producer. Willy Moon doesn’t like to waste time. His debut album, ‘ Here’s Willy Moon ’, is less than 29 minutes long. Only one of its 12 songs lasts more than three minutes and not a single note is squandered. No bets were hedged during the making of this record. "My album is short like my songs. I always loved the relentlessness and excitement of that first Ramones album and there's something of that spirit in there. I think it will surprise people who've only heard Yeah Yeah, there's some slower,

Woodkid, the Grammy-nominated French director/artist/producer/musician behind acclaimed videos for Lana Del Rey’s global hit Born To Die, Drake & Rihanna’s Take Care and Katy Perry‘s Teenage Dream, steps out from behind the camera with the release on Island Records of his debut album ”The Golden Age”. The eagerly awaited album follows Woodkid’s 2011 EP Iron, the video for which attracted more than 25 million views. In fact Kendrick Lamar one of the hottest and most lauded rappers to emerge in recent years, samples Woodkid’s “Iron” on his track The Spiteful Chant. Sonic images from the song were also used by the makers of Assassin’s Creed:Revelation for their blockbuster launch. The collaboration continued for the launch of Assassin’s Creed 3 when they used Woodkid’s second single “Run Boy Run” in their global advertising campaign. “The Golden Age” was written and produced by Woodkid and featured songs on the 14-track set include “Run Boy Run”, “I Love You”, “The Shore”, “Falli

Since the release of ‘Your Drums, Your Love’, AlunaGeorge have rapidly established themselves as one of the UK’s brightest prospects. The London duo’s latest offering has arrived in the form of ‘Attracting Flies’, available now on iTunes , via Island Records. Amidst a flurry of hyped shows and putting the finishing touches to their highly anticipated debut album Body Music, due on July 8 th , the duo have been picking up fans left, right and centre. Alongside their own incredible achievements AlunaGeorge’s recent collaboration with Disclosure on ‘White Noise’ quickly racked up over a million plays online and reached number two in the UK charts. Also nominated for the prestigious BRITs Critic’s Choice Award, another accolade to add to their number two spot in BBC’s Sound of 2013 poll, and their achievement of being the UK’s most blogged about artist at the clo se of 2012. AlunaGeorge recently played yet another sold out show, at London’s XOYO, and only a handful of tickets to their b

Matt Costa, the self-titled fourth album from the acclaimed, eclectic singer/songwriter is set for April 22nd via Brushfire Records. “Good Times”, the lead single from the album, was released on April 4th. Matt Costa is a 10-song collection of new songs recorded in Scotland with long-time Belle & Sebastian/Mogwai collaborator Tony Doogan. On the new release, Costa thoughtfully mines elements of the past, while exploring new territory. His penchant for melodic exploration is on full display throughout the new offering. The songs, sounds, lyrics and overall vibe of the album have elevated Costa to a new artistic plane. Matt Costa initially set out to make an album of folk/roots-inspired songs, but when he arrived in Glasgow, something else transpired and changed the direction of the recording. Perhaps it was the magic of Scotland, the studio (Castle of Doom), Doogan or the incredible musicians he collaborated with, which include Belle & Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson, Chris Geddes

Hot on the heels of supporting US star Trey Songz on his sell out Hammersmith Apollo shows (at his request), the UK’s new R&B pop prince Angel released his sensational new single ‘The World’ on April 8th ahead of the release of his debut album ‘About Time’ on April 15th. 2012 saw Angel rise from underground producer and songwriter (penning songs for the likes of Pixie Lott, Jason Derulo and Roll Deep among others) to R&B Renaissance man and artist in his own right. Earmarked as one to watch by MTV and HMV and crowned ‘the new face of UK R&B’ by Radio 1 at the top of the year, Angel went on to release top-10 summer anthem ‘Wonderful’, support One Direction at the iTunes Festival, and receive two nominations for the 2012 MOBO Awards (Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Act). Having rapidly become the name on everyone’s lips, Angel has been asked to write for Rihanna, been in the studio with Dizzee Rascal and Lewis Hamilton, and collaborated with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Gig

Disclosure are back. Returning on March 17 with new single ‘White Noise’, featuring vocals from one half of another of the UK’s most exciting new acts Aluna Francis of AlunaGeorge. Within one week of launching the new track as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record on Radio 1, ‘White Noise’ has racked up over 750,000 plays online - topping both the Hype Machine and Elbo.ws music charts, has been playlisted at Kiss Radio and enjoyed over 30 plays between Radio 1 and 1Xtra, had support from 6Music and XFM, as well as landing Zane’s ROTW this week – all 8 weeks upfront of impact. This incredible and instant reaction to this young duo’s latest offering prove that Disclosure are well on their way to owning 2013. ‘White Noise’ follows the amazing success of Disclosure’s last single ‘Latch’, which was a-list at Radio 1, 1Xtra and Kiss, peaking at number 11 in the UK charts, staying in the top 30 for 15 weeks and going silver (sales in excess of 330,000 worldwide). ‘Latch’ also notched up several numbe