Παρασκευή 29 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong (Official Video)


Andreya Triana
An experimental and self taught singer and songwriter originally hailing from South East London, Andreya Triana grew up submerged in a multicultural atmosphere. A unique vocalist, Andreya begun singing at the tender age of 7 taking influence from the sights and sounds of inner city London. Her early love and passion for music would see her locked in her bedroom for hours on end writing poetry, making home-made mix tapes and recording tracks - utilising two battered cassette decks to record harmonies.
Her early love of improvisation would warp and change over the years, hugely influencing her 'Freeflo Sessions' - a hypnotic one woman show using a sampler to loop vocals, percussive sounds and beats live. To date she has taken her Freeflo Sessions worldwide, dazzling audiences far and wide with her cutting edge and soulful performances.

2006 saw her selected from thousands to take part in the Red Bull Music Academy in Australia where she further developed her style for improvisation and secured links with some of the best producers and musicians on the music scene.

Multiple collaborations ensued daily at the Academy, 'Tea Leaf Dancers' a collaboration with glitchy hip hop producer Flying Lotus (released on Warp Records) was a product of this and has been her most successful musical venture to date. Hailed as a classic while getting rave reviews from Benji B and Gilles Peterson while getting airplay on Annie Mac's Radio One show. It was this track that also caught the attention of Ninja Tune stalwart Bonobo.
2009 has been an eventful year for Miss Triana, touring America and Canada with the Bonobo live band, playing on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury showcasing new material and signing a three album deal with Ninja Tune Records.

2010 will see the release of her album Lost Where I Belong, produced by jazzy beat master Bonobo. Fellow Ninja Tune Records singer and superstar songwriter Fink also stepped up to co-write two tracks for the album. Lost Where I Belong is a beautifully honest album combining Soul, Folk, Jazz and Bonobo's cinematic magic for a highly anticipated and hotly tipped debut, released on Ninja Tune in August 2010.
www.last.fm
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Τετάρτη 27 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Ladi6 - Walk Right Up


Biography

Ladi6 is a contemporary R&B singer and rapper who made her solo album debut in 2008 after years of group and collaborative activity. Born Karoline Tamati and based in Auckland, New Zealand, she began her career as a member of the all-girl hip-hop group Sheelahroc. Active during the early 2000s, the group had a minor hit with "If I Gave You the Mic." During the mid-2000s she was a member of a different group, Verse Two, a contemporary R&B band with a hip-hop edge. In addition to this group activity, she collaborated with a wide range of artists over the years, among them Shapeshifter, Scribe (her cousin), Fat Freddy's Drop, and 50Hz. At long last, Ladi6 made her solo album debut in 2008 with Time Is Not Much. Produced by Parks and Mu of Fat Freddy's Drop, Time Is Not Much was a Top Five hit on the New Zealand albums chart and was released in Australia as well. The album includes the single "Walk Right Up." The non-album single "Go Get It" was released by the renowned German electronica label Compost Records around the same time. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi by Answers.com
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Δευτέρα 25 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Gregory Isaacs 1951 - 2010

Gregory IsaacsCover of Gregory Isaacs

Reggae legend Gregory Isaacs has died after a battle with cancer.

Isaacs, who was 59 years old, died on Monday morning at his home in London where he spent part of his time.

He leaves behind a wife and children.

Close friends told BBC Caribbean that he had originally been diagnosed with lung cancer which had then spread.

The Jamaican reggae singer, who was nicknamed the Cool Ruler, was best known for the song 'Night Nurse'.

Earlier this year, the reggae legend was featured in the BBC's Caribbean Masters series.

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Gregory Isaacs[/artist] (born on 15 July 1950 in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica and died on 25 October 2010 in London) is a Reggae singer/songwriter, Gregory Anthony Isaacs is known as "The Cool Ruler" for his seductive crooning vocal style. Gregory attributes his greatest musical influences to R&B greats Sam Cooke and Percy Sledge, in addition to Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis and Ken Boothe.

In the late 1960's, Gregory first performed in a vocal trio called The Concords, after being encouraged by Byron Lee; but 1970 the group had split up and the singer songwriter would form his own imprint, African Museum.

In the late 1970s, he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. He released a number of self-produced singles on his own African Museum (JA) label with Errol Dunkley. Much of Isaacs' output reflected the 'conscious' themes of Roots Reggae, but Isaacs was equally adept at interpreting more mainstream Lovers Rock material. Early hits include "My Only Lover", "Sinner Man" and "Mr. Cop", recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio.

A period in the 1970s with the GG's label and its producer Alvin Ranglin produced hits like "Border" and "Number One".

Personal problems affected him, particularly battles with a cocaine addiction and possession charge; which prevented him from touring in North America for a significant part of his career, until a pardon could eventually be secured.

Isaacs recorded with a number of producers, including the Riddim Twin's ([artist]Sly & Robbie[/artist]) Taxi Records, who gave them their first hit with 1979's "Soon Forward" , After a series of releases with Sly & Robbie, Gregory built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. In addition to these local Jamaican labels, The Cool Ruler had had releases on Trojan, VP, Virgin's Front Line and English producer Tad A. Dawkin's Tad's Records. Isaacs would would eventually sign with Chris Blackwell's Island Records which resulted in the international release of Night Nurse (1982) and Out Deh! (1983). Perhaps his most popular recordings in his native Jamaica are ""All I Have Is Love", Mr. Brown" and "Hard Drugs", the latter being an anti-drug anthem that dominated radio in the late 1980s and was released as a hidden track on England's Tad Records [album artist=Gregory Isaacs]All I Have Is Love, Love Love[/album] LP.

In the 1990s Gregory's African Museum label continued to release all of Gregory Isaacs' music, and that of artists he produced. He continues to record and perform live in the 2000s, and it has been estimated that Isaacs has released over 500 records in his career, which includes singles and compilations.

Isaacs, who was 59 years old, died on 25. October 2010 at his home in London where he spent part of his time.
by last.fm


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Τετάρτη 20 Οκτωβρίου 2010

LOOPA SCAVA meets CAYETANO "UP & DOWN"

LOOPA SCAVA meets CAYETANO "UP & DOWN" by CAYETANO
Ilias Mimilidis a.k.a. "Loopa Scava" - the serial producer.- Taught by old-school musicians the art of music and sound for many years, he continues his musical trip next to fresh and talented ones.

His debut album "Up and Down"... Written at an interval of years, ideas from the past and nowadays, selected between loadz of tunes from Loopa Scava's coffer, and finally recorded at Sala Sonora recording studio when he actually "met" Cayetano.

Pelina Stefou, an amazing singer and Ilias' old friend, came to transform the whole form of those promising tunes with her incredible voice!

Kostis Mimilidis a.k.a. "Constantine", Loopa Scava's brother, wrote a bunch of amazing tunes with his one-less-chord guitar (!).. you can hear some of those in "Future Memories", and more of them in forthcoming releases!

Loopa Scava is already "crafting" his next work, by combining new live instruments, dirty phat beatz, a bunch of fresh tunes and more... ;) Stay tuned!
by last.fm
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Τρίτη 19 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Rough Out There - Noiseshaper



by Biography


After seven years, three albums, a whole heap of 12-inches and numerous remix projects, this new Noiseshaper release sees the band reviewing their past. That doesn’t mean that “Real To Reel” is just another sampler or “best of” compilation: this album looks forward just as much as it does back. It takes us back to the early days of this truly outstanding band, it unearths long lost, ultra rare material and looks to the future with several brand new tracks. Not even the re-released tracks are taken straight from the archives: everything on “Real To Reel” has passed through the genius hands of dubmaster Adrian Sherwood, has been chased through the nooks and crannies of his magic mixing desk in London. And for dub, that’s the musical equivalent of being knighted. It…s also well-earned recognition for the band’s many years of hard work
In 2001, the band released the album …Prelaunch Sequence… on the renowned Different Drummer label. “Rise” “The Only Redeemer” (feat. Vido) and “Moving Together” (feat. Wayne Martin) are the stand-out tracks on the album and are featured on “Real To Reel”.
It was more than two years before Noiseshaper released their second album, “The Signal”, which is represented on “Real To Reel” by “All A Dem A Do”, “You Take Control”, “Jah Dub” and “Dunk”. Featuring the G-Corp-MC singer Juggla, a sound system veteran from Birmingham and a perfect vocalist for Noiseshaper, it toned down the house elements in favour of a deep, conscious reggae sound.
The album “Rough Out There”, represented here by the TVS remix of “Walls Of Silence”, Kid Kenobi’s remix of “Bushmaster” and two versions of the title track, was released in 2005 and is arguably Noiseshaper’s most mature album. Juggla became a permanent member of the band, giving them a real front man and a highly distinctive vocalist.
Noiseshaper’s remixes effortlessly transport this message. The most prominent musicians to get a Noiseshaper remix so far have been Sly & Robbie, which is another giant accolade. The band worked their magic on “Vice Vanity”, giving it a decisively different spin. Another remix that displays the band…s sheer class is their version of Ari Up’s wired “Me Done”, which they chiselled into a stomping blues rock-reggae track. And that brings us back to the title of this CD: where others have to constantly assert their “realness”, Axel Hirn and Florian Fleischmann simply are “real”. And as Noiseshaper they capture this on tape: From Real To Reel.
Written by Andreas Müller, a music journalist (Spex, Riddim,…). As Admiral Tuff he presents the “Dancehall” and “Dubsolution” shows on rbb Radio Eins.
by last.fm
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Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate 'Kala Djula'



Review

Biography

Due to the international success of In the Heart of the Moon, Mandé lineage griot Toumani Diabaté wanted to make a follow-up with fellow Malaian, the legendary guitarist Ali Farka Touré. The first record had been cut in Niafunke, Touré’s home village in the north of Mali, Diabaté contacted World Circuit's Nick Gold about doing the follow-up in London, where the pair was due to play a couple of concerts. Gold agreed and suggested they include Cuban bassist Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez on the session. There was some urgency: Touré was dying. The sessions were cut over four days in June of 2005; this is his last recording. The contents are made up of improvisations and new versions of old songs from both men’s regions. Opener “Ruby” is a gorgeous improvisation, where Touré doesn’t play the role of guitar slinger, but of a guitarist playing only for his own enjoyment, softly, gently, with his trance-like hypnotic rhythm, allowing Diabaté to let his kora flow over the modal pattern. Cachaito makes the first of five appearances here. “Sabu Yerkoy” is a proper entrance. It is Touré’s take on Cuban salsa (with his son on congas). The rhythmic interplay between drums, bass, and acoustic guitar is intricate and subtle with its gentle, seductive approach. “Doudou” is a completely new take on an old Mandé song, weaving together a Senegalese mbalax rhythm and the kora’s harmonic palette. Along the lines of the intricate melody, Touré layers one atop another from one of his own songs, with “Singya” on top. It’s easily among the most beautiful thing here. Touré’s rhythmic approach shines on “Samba Gerladio,” another new version of a very old folk song. Touré introduces it and Diabaté eventually encounters him on the chorus, weaving a new melody based on Touré’s blues. “Sina Mory” is the very first song Touré learned to play on the guitar -- this may have been the last time he played it. “Kala Djula,” a griot’s hymn, closes the set as a celebratory song. Its rhythmic feel -- held down by Cachaito -- is cut-time, but the pace is graceful, easy, relaxed. Diabaté’s soloing is breathtaking, full of humor and warmth. Touré interjects his own slippery guitar pattern, creating a second-line melody. This self-titled album is a fitting tribute to Touré’s and Diabaté’s genius and friendship, and is a beautiful farewell. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
Tracks

Track Title Composers Performers Time
Ruby Ali Farka Touré Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (5:55)
Sabu Yerkoy Ali Farka Touré Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (4:08)
Be Mankan Toumani Diabaté Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (5:06)
Doudou Traditional Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (4:47)
Warbé Ali Farka Touré Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (4:51)
Samba Geladio Ali Farka Touré Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (3:17)
Sina Mory Traditional Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (4:28)
56 Ali Farka Touré Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (6:57)
Fantasy Toumani Diabaté Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (2:18)
Machengoidi Ali Farka Touré Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (5:05)
Kala Djula Traditional Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté (3:27)
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by Answers.com

Δευτέρα 18 Οκτωβρίου 2010

BONOBO


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Bonobo


Artist Biography

BONOBO

Simon Green aka Bonobo returns with his third album and the kind of quantum leap in quality that very few artists make. “Days To Come” has the feeling of a classic all over – a big, brooding, emotional and uplifting record that you can dance to, do the dishes to, or sit and really study.

Green has always been expert at welding together music dripping with atmosphere, combining his own musical and technical talents in such a way as to make utterly organic-sounding machine music. This is not just a knob-twiddling producer but a multi-instrumentalist at work, who writes, plays and then manipulates almost every note of music he releases. And “Days To Come” shows a new structural awareness growing from this, a feeling for the song form and the gradual build which raises it way above the work of many of his contemporaries and cries out for him to achieve the kind of mainstream success that has talent has long hinted at.

Bonobo’s debut album, “Animal Magic,” was released by Brighton label TruThoughts just as the journalistic vogue for “chill out” music began to peak, the Observer said “anyone in search of the ultimate summer chill-out album should buy this debut.” Having rejected the advances of more than one major label, Green decided to sign with Ninja Tune and for them he produced “Dial M For Monkey,” a brooding and intricate record which not only continued his move away from traditional sampling techniques, but broadsided the idea that he only made music for people to listen to in transcendental bubble bath yurts. The Independent labelled him a “name to watch”. Now, with “Days To Come,” the processes and techniques he developed on the transitional “Dial M…” have reached fruition, mainly (though not solely) because “Days…” could be seen as a collection of songs.

Rather than turning himself into a producer-for-hire on his own record and delivering a compilation album, Green found one main singer to work with, and her voice certainly adds that crucial edge to proceedings. Bajka (pronounced ‘Biker’) grew up as part of Embryo, a travelling music commune, whose journies took them through Afghanistan, Nepal and Pakistan. Now based in Germany she has released records on labels such as Ubiquity and Compost. A smokey, soulful singer, she sounds as at home on the big band soul-jazz of “Between The Lines” as on the more melancholic “Nightlite”, which Zane Lowe has already started playing on his Radio 1 show as a sunsetter anthem. Green is also joined by labelmate and fellow Brightonian Fink on the beautiful come-on “If You Stayed Over,” a gem of emotional pop that sees both of them at the top of their game.

Green hasn’t abandoned the instrumentals, though. “Ketto” arrives with a dreamlike intensity, “On Your Marks” hits with the all the force of early-era Shadow, while Part 2 of “Transmissions94” is amongst the most beautiful and transcendent music that this quiet and self-effacing producer has yet crafted.

With his fantastic band (in which he plays bass and with whom he has headlined the Big Chill and the Glade at Glastonbury) set to transform these studio pieces into living, breathing music, the stage is set for Simon Green to step up. The days to come look bright indeed, but sad and beautiful and lovely, too. Don’t miss them.

by Beatportal

Τετάρτη 13 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Papa Blue En Velo 12"


Read full review of En Velo - Papa Blue on Boomkat.com ©
Papa Blue - En Velo

Originally released in 1998, En Velo was a solo 12" from producer Jaakko Salovaara. Expect wonderfully dusty, downtempo jazz loops from cuts like 'Matusalem' and the neatly edited, shuffling title track, while Maurice Fulton guests on 'Luana En La Pampa', helping inject a housey feel towards the end.


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Bobby Jackson – The Cafe Extra-Ordinaire Story

Bobby Jackson – The Cafe Extra-Ordinaire Story

by Aaron Coultate on 19.07.2010 at 11:31am
Bobby Jackson – The Cafe Extra-Ordinaire Story
Artist: Bobby Jackson
Title: The Cafe Extra-Ordinaire Story
Label: Jazzman
Genre: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Format: 12", CD, Digital

As part of Jazzman’s ongoing series of Holy Grail LP reissues comes this incredibly rare album from Minneapolis jazz hero Bobby Jackson. The stories surrounding Jackson are just as riveting as the album itself – a local evangelist of the power and glory of jazz music, he seemingly put his life on the line in a variety of ways to bring luminaries such as Freddie “Red Clay” Hubbard, Roland Kirk and Elvin Jones to Minneapolis and play. Despite all the travails, he managed to record a single album that didn’t even see a release until eight years after its recording. Given all this history, it’s perhaps fitting that Jazzman have reissued it.

Not that Cafe Extra-Ordinaire is a charity case – indeed far from it, the tunes absolutely leap out at you as soon as the needle drops. The frantic, red-raw pace of “Bobby’s Blues” is one of the most unruly yet together jazz vamps you’re likely to hear – essentially a duel between Bobby Lyle’s piano and the drummer conducted at lightening speed. Slower, modal mapping comes through on “Ya Kum Ba” though, which features elegant trumpet and Jackson’s own basswork. “Understanding” is even slower and heartbreakingly beautiful, the slow pace allowing Jackson’s bass to cut through the mix a little more. Though he was only a spirited amateur, he could clearly hold his own among professional company. “Peepin” allows Lyle a chance to shine, while the natural echo that comes off the trumpet during “Fluck Flick” is possibly one of the highlights of the whole record. It’s little things like this that make it clear why Jazzman decided to excavate this LP from the archive – the recordings sound incredibly unique, with a lo-fi quality that gives the drums especially a distinctive edge. For the history, the tunes and the sound, this is a very worthy reissue indeed.Oliver Keens


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Τρίτη 12 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Another Message to Rudy (Fort Knox Five Edit)

Another Message to Rudy (Fort Knox Five Edit) by fortknoxfive



The FORT KNOX FIVE is a leading force in the international funk and breaks scene. Having released an arsenal of floor rocking singles and remixes, the FORT KNOX FIVE has the midas touch for producing heavy hitting records.

Sid Barcelona, Jon Horvath, Rob Myers and Steve Raskin are the masterminds behind the FORT KNOX FIVE. They established Fort Knox Recordings in 2003 to release party-rocking music that crosses tempos and defies genres. Their world renowned ‘Fort Knox Sound’ has overtaken dance-floors with its distinct interweaving of live instrumentation with funky electronic breakbeats. In 2006 they released the critically acclaimed ‘The New Gold Standard’ to showcase the groundbreaking sounds from their premier funk and soul label.

The FORT KNOX FIVE’s talent for organic hooks has made them highly sought after producers and remixers. They have over 20 remixes to their credit, including monster mixes for A. Skillz and Krafty Kuts, Kraak & Smaak, Ursula 1000, Dynamo Productions, and Mo’ Horizons, as well as remixes for the legendary Tito Puente, Louis Armstrong, and Bob Marley. The FORT KNOX FIVE has coined the term ‘Reminted’ to represent their signature remixing style. They released the first ‘Reminted’ CD showcasing some of their favorite productions in a continuous DJ mix in 2007.

Further cementing the FORT KNOX FIVE’s reputation, Afrika Bambaataa—the godfather of hip-hop—asked them to produce four tracks on his latest album Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light released on the legendary Tommy Boy Label.

Tapped by URB Magazine for its annual “Next 100” list, the FORT KNOX FIVE’s music has been featured on major compilations including the highly regarded Hôtel Costes Sept — and has been licensed to numerous films, television shows, commercials and video games. Most recently their music has been featured in the FRINGE tv show on Fox, and video games Tiger Woods 2009 & Facebreaker. They also finished exclusive production on six original interactive tracks in the Fort Knox style for EA Sports’ Skate 2 & Skate It game soundtracks.

As DJs, they know how to rock a party with infectious grooves that effortlessly move from funk, reggae, and hip-hop to prime time beats & breaks. Their unique DJ style has proven irresistible to clubgoers worldwide. They have performed on 5 continents, and in over 25 different countries. The Fort Knox Five have spun at some of the most prestigious venues in the world such as Madison Square Gardens in NYC, the Hollywood Bowl in LA, La Paloma in Barcelona, Fabric in London, and Die Registrateur in Munich just to name a few. Their music & skills caught the attention of Gwen Stefani, who asked the FORT KNOX FIVE to be her tour DJs for her Harajuku Lovers tour with the Black Eyed Peas. The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino hired the FK5 to provide musical direction for Eyecandy Sound Lounge. During their tenure at the club, it was the 3rd highest grossing venue out of all of the MGM/Mirage properties.

For their highly anticipated debut album, RADIO FREE D.C., the FORT KNOX FIVE took things back to their roots, and kept the vibe centered around the city they love, Washington D.C. Home to many pioneering artists like Marvin Gaye, Chuck Brown and Fugazi, they draw upon their city’s rich musical heritage of funk, soul, punk and hip-hop for their inspiration. The FORT KNOX FIVE invited their close friends from around the Nation’s Capitol, including Asheru (Unspoken Heard), Mustafa Akbar, Rootz & Zeebo (See-I), Sleepy Wonder, Javier Miranda, and Ian Svenonius (Nation of Ulysses/The Make Up) to help them create a record that captures DC’s musical diversity.

Keep a close eye and ear peeled for The New Gold Standard 2 available on November 3rd. This compilation will feature 15 new songs including new tracks from The Fort Knox Five, See-I, Nappy Riddems, International Velvet, Empresarios, Speedy Consuela and Liftoff.

In support of the release of The New Gold Standard 2, the FORT KNOX FIVE will tour as Djs, with 4 turntables and live visuals with Kraak & Smaak this Fall.


Read more:http://www.myspace.com/fortknoxfive#ixzz125YWFjVT
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Παρασκευή 8 Οκτωβρίου 2010

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Δευτέρα 4 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Dry & Heavy- Dawn Is Breaking


Dry & Heavy- Dawn Is Breaking
Ανέβηκε από aakira009. - Μουσικά videos, συνεντεύξεις καλλιτεχνών, κονσέρτα και άλλα.

Biography

Reggae/dub will forever be associated with Jamaica, but the emergence of Japan's six-piece Dry & Heavy in the late '90s has proven once and for all that this liberating musical form is truly universal. The group is a side project of reggae experimentalists Audio Active, and they take their moniker from the nicknames of their drummer Shigemoto Nanao (aka Dry) and bassist Takeshi Akimoto (aka Heavy). Although the band formed in 1991, it wasn't until 1997 that their self-titled debut saw the light of day. Further releases included 1999's One Punch and 2000's Full Contact, while 2001 saw a compilation of D&H remixes by reggae veteran King Jammy, entitled King Jammy Meets Dry & Heavy in the Jaws of the Tiger. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi

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ALICE RUSSELL- Citizens



Alice: Hollering

One listen to Alice Russell’s voice will send shivers down your spine and leave goose bumps on your neck. Alice’s lavishly soulful voice is both timeless and up to the minute modern. Live or on record, she always performs with her trademark self assurance and sass. Listening to Alice, you’d naturally think she grew up on the streets of Detroit, just around the corner from Motown’s legendary recording studios. “No, although I wish I had,” admits the blue-eyed, blonde-haired lass from Brighton, U.K. Her singing career actually began as a young girl singing in her church choir. “Our singing was more of the traditional SATB [soprano, alto, tenor, bass] parts you hear in the great classical halls and cathedrals.

Although her style is predominantly bluesy and soul lament it also encompasses everything from funk to gospel to jazz and beyond. “Growing up, I was surrounded by different types of music and you know, you just get taken by something, don’t you? It hits you in the right place and you think, ‘Yeah, Baby, I like that!’ That gospel stuff is wicked, isn’t it? And artists like Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin… I was really small, playing with my Lego, taping this stuff off of the radio. I just fell in love with soul music, quite honestly. Just hearing that music hit the spot.” She comes from a musical family, her father was a classical music teacher, and her sisters were classically trained. It wasn’t until Alice was around nine that she began formal music lessons on the cello for a few years. But the only training she ever had with her voice was “with my ears” and just “by picking things up.”

Today Alice has developed a burgeoning career as one of the hottest UK soul singers with growing audiences around the world. While comparisons have been made to other popular British vocalists likeJoss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele, one listen and look at Alice and you can immediately tell she's in a class all by herself. She has performed alongside well respected company that includes Roy Ayres, The Roots, Lonnie Liston Smith, De La Soul, Quantic, and The Quantic Soul Orchestra to name a few.

Alice has built quite an impressive discography since bursting onto the scene. Alice’s first album, Under the Munka Moon was an amalgamation of various projects (singles, remixes, collaborations) and a great introduction to new listeners. Then came My Favourite Letters, her debut studio album created by Alice with co-writer, producer, guitarist and musical soul mate Alex Cowan (a.k.a. TM Juke). The album received prestigious press accolades and proved she was an unstoppable voice to be reckoned with. Her third release,Under the Munka Moon II compiled her most recent collaborations, remixes, and cover versions including her popular interpretation ofWhite Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” for another satisfying listen.
The dynamic duo of Alice and
TM Juke have been touring together for the past two years with their hand-picked band, wowing audiences in the U.K., Europe, Australia, the U.S. and in other countries. Last year, when not busy turning heads with their dynamic stage performances, Alice and “her boys”—as she affectionately refers to her group—were busy in the studio, recording her brand new album,Pot of Gold.

“Ah, my dear friend Alex. I just love working with him,” Alice says of her co-writer and producer for Pot of Gold. Both had lived in Suffolk when they were growing up and would occasionally see each other at parties, but since Alice is “the granny, just a little bit older” they didn’t work professionally together until both were in Brighton, where theTru Thoughts record label is located. Alice sang on several tracks for TM Juke’s first album. “So that was the beginning of our lil’ friendship and creative birth,” she smiles. “Our working relationship is always evolving and ever-changing as things that are alive should always be moving and growing. It’s like; we’ll push each other into different places. And for writing music, that can sometimes be very good.”
Pot of Gold was very much a collaborative effort between them. “Alex might have had a musical idea and I’d say, ‘Hold on, let’s have a go with it this other way instead’ and we’d change things ’round. It’s like holding up a mirror to each other, sometimes saying, ‘Well, what if we did that?’ or ‘let’s look at things a different way.’ It just seems to work for us.”
“Music is communication,” says Alice. “Even though I grew up in the countryside in England, the music helps you to understand the issues that a song expresses—be it love, prejudice, not being able to pay your bills, happiness, sorrow, racial inequality, your aspirations, dancing, mourning … life itself. Music is an expression of human life and we are all drawn to different types. I’m moved by all the world’s many genres of music. But soul music is what resonates most strongly in my heart.”

Hot on the heels of the release of Pot Of Gold comes a double CD of remixes featuring, some radical, some faithful and some inspired re-workings of Pot Of Gold originals from the likes of Mr Scruff, DJ Vadim, Shawn Lee and The Heavy. And in addition to this prolific musical output, Alice’s live performances continue to flourish with her ability to captivate an audience and to hold their attention throughout, expertly tugging at the heartstrings. Pot of Gold was shaped on the road and now comes full circle as Alice and her band tour worldwide to support these new releases.

Pot Of Gold is released in the UK on October 5th 2009

Pot Of Gold Remixes is released worldwide on October 5th 2009