Beware of Ware

27-year-old Londoner Jessie Ware is undoubtedly the next best thing since Sade or Aaliyah. Her debut album Devotion, produced by Dave Okumu, will be out this summer.
Ware attended Alleyn’s school in south London, where she became best mates with Jack Peñate, and preformed in musicals with Florence Welch. Music was not immediately Ware’s first love though, and she went on to pursue an English degree at Sussex University with the idea of becoming a journalist. But when Peñate got her to sing backing vocals at a BBC Maida Vale session, and took her along on tour, Jessie was introduced to SBTRKT and his vocalist Sampha. This led her to provide vocals on Right Thing To Do and Valentine, and on DJ Joker’s The Vision. Now she is ready to do things her own way. With influences ranging from Cole Porter to Barbra Streisand and Diana (Ross) and Chaka (Kan), her way tends more towards RnB slash neo-soul. Strangest Feeling, her solo debut released last November, and her current single Running go in that direction. Make sure you check the Disclosure Remix of the latter. What You Won’t Do For Love (listen below) stays far away from pumping electro beats and is the perfect example of pure Soul. Aren’t we lucky Ware found her way!

Dayglo sees the light

June 12th is nearing, when Bobby Womack’s new and highly anticipated album The Bravest Man In The Universe will see the light of day. XL Recordings already let us have a look behind-the-scenes of the recording sessions, confirming rumors of a Lana Del Rey collaboration, with a snippet to tease.
This week the full version of Dayglo Reflection surfaced. Bobby’s soulful, grainy vocals and Lana’s warm voice laid over a contemporary RnB melody work darn well. Both this track and the lead single Please Forgive My Heart instigate the expectation, and believe, that this new album ensures a spectacular return for the Soul Legend.
July 14 Bobby is headlining Ghent Jazz Festival, together with D’Angelo. Yes, D’Angelo. If you are around, make sure you don’t miss out.

Time is Ticking

Kylie is celebrating her 25th year in music this year. As a thank you to her fans, miss Minogue is showering you with special gifts, all year. K25 kicked off in January, when Kylie made a specially recorded version of Finer Feelings available online. Since then Kylie has made a new exclusive video available on the 25th of each month. This week sees the release of a brand new song, and video: Timebomb.
Over the years Kylie has taken her career to a different level with the release of each album. This track is no exception. Producers Matt Schwartz and Paul Harris have gone for an electro-pop sound. Check out the official video above, and a live performance on The Voice UK below. The hypnotic beat and catchy chorus guarantee another chart buster for KM. There’s no stopping the little girl from Down Under.

Houston Sparkles

Sparkle, Whitney Houston’s fourth and final feature film, is set for release this Summer. Alas Whitney died this February, three months after filming ended.
Directed by Salim Akil, this movie is a remake of the 1976 original film entitled Sparkle, which centered on three singing teenage sisters from Harlem who form a girl group in the late 1950s, a plot inspired by the success story of The Supremes. The remake starring Whitney (Houston), Jordin Sparks and Cee Lo Green ao, is set in Detroit, Michigan in the 1960s during the Motown era.
Sparkle features songs from the original film written by the legendary Curtis Mayfield, as well as new compositions by none other than R Kelly. In the official trailer you’ll recognize a classic En Vogue cut. American Idol winner Jordin Sparks makes her debut as an actress, and feature on the official Theme Song Celebrate, alongside Houston.
Both musically and artistically, this film could fall right in line with The Bodyguard and Waiting To Exhale, and could even exceed their success.

Tribute: Robin Gibb (1949 – 2012)

Hot Mess

Director Andreas Anastasis gives us his take on Madonna’s Justify My Love in his work on the latest SIRPAUL video Body Connection. Anastasis also directed other SIRPAUL videos such as Addicted, Colors and Do U.
SIRPAUL, a New York City boy, got his big break in 2008 with Do U. Another noteworthy Electro beat is Going Down In La-La Land, title track to the soundtrack of a Casper Andreas movie going by the same title, which portrays an uncensored look at Hollywood. Body Connection, featuring Loco Ninja, is the new single taken from his current album The Horse, already his 8th full-length player.
In the latest video, inspired by Tom Ford’s controversial ads, the singer finds himself all suited up, surrounded by beautiful naked bodies, and the controversial novel “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E. L. James, a New York Times #1 bestselling erotic fiction paperback, at hand.

Sparro, You’re So Gangsta

While The Magician remix of Happiness -see above- is being bombarded to Summer Jam status, Sam Sparro has just debuted his brand new video for I Wish I Never Met You. Sparro gets in a Gangsta role, doing his impersonation of a Smooth Criminal. The song is quality pop with a Soulful sound to it. The single taken from the forthcoming album Return To Paradise will be out June 4th. Sparro, you’re so Gangsta.

The Carmen in Lana

Hotty Lana Del Rey is turning out videos like cup cakes. With Blue Jeans freshly offered, and Summertime Sadness which is going to premiere this month still, a video for Carmen was released at the end of April. Not sure what to make of this one to be honest.
In sync with Lana’s debut video, Carmen is a montage of vintage footage and old videos. Though Blue Jeans may be no innovative clip, at least it has class and fits the term music video perfectly. Let’s hope the next one coming will stay away from scratchy retro. Watch the video as discussed below.

Tribute: Donna Summer 1948 – 2012

 

Waiting On You, Boy

Once bursting onto the music scene with the Nu-Soul classic “…you’re Free to do what you want to do…”, Ultra Naté has evolved to become a true Disco Queen. With monster jams such as Love’s The Only Drug, Automatic and Twisted (Got Me Goin’ Round), she got a bunch of Gay followers -and other Dance Divas- hooked. The new single Waiting On You, with Michelle Williams on board, is another dance floor stomper. The song, a first single taken from the forthcoming sixth full-length album Hero Worship, has been around for a while, but now an official video is on offer. Not showing more than the usual glitter, and  fancy dress, it is still worth checking for the music it promotes. For more freak-on videos check Naté’s official page.