New album ‘Here You Are’ out 13th May on Aqua Music

‘Sounding remarkably fresh, but staying true to his old-school roots’ Pride Magazine

The most successful black recording star in Britain is back with his new album ‘Here You Are’.

Grammy, Brit and Mobo award winning Billy Ocean has sold over 30 million records in his lifetime and has collected a pile of Gold and Platinum records across the world. Having hit the number one spot worldwide on pop charts including the USA, Australia, Germany, Holland and the UK, Billy has achieved extraordinary success as both an artist and a songwriter.

This 10 track album presents songs which have influenced Billy over his musical career including tracks such as ‘No Woman, No Cry’ by the legend Bob Marley, ‘You Send Me’ by Otis Reading and ‘It Was A Very Good Year’ by Frank Sinatra.

His reggae infused soulful voice is as strong and distinctive as it was when he struck worldwide success back in the 1970s. Billy had his first break when he signed to GTO records, for whom his second single was the Motown-ish ‘Love Really Hurts Without You’, which reached No. 2 in the UK charts and No. 12 in the US. Two top twenty singles followed; ‘Love on Delivery’ and ‘Stop Me’, then ‘Red Light Spells Danger’ became a smash in both the UK and the US.

‘Here You Are’, the title track, was written by Billy to reflect the influences of the music that has inspired him throughout his life. A powerful song full of emotion and passion, the lyrics describe how his dreams have come true.

Back in 1993, Billy decided to take a break to spend some well earned time with his family. This break ended up extending to 15 years and in 2007, with the kids all grown up, Billy went back out to perform his hits again, this time with his daughter Cherie on backing vocals, taking in the UK and Europe, USA, Canada, and the Caribbean.

The tour was a great success and culminated in Billy getting the bug once more for writing and recording. 2008 saw him back in the studio recording his brand new album ‘Because I Love You’ - which was released in 2009.  2010 saw Billy back on the road again with his band in the UK, Europe and the US and the release of ‘The Very Best of Billy Ocean’, which entered the UK album charts at number 17 and sold 72,000 copies in 4 weeks.

Now in 2013, ‘Here You Are’ aims to match his early success and bring back his infectious blend of Caribbean soul, funk, pop and R’n’B. Billy will be on an extensive tour of Britain in April and May.

‘Here You Are’ Tour

Friday 19th April                 Liverpool Philharmonic

Tuesday 30th April            Towngate Theatre, Basildon

Friday 3rd May                   Warrington, Parr Hall

Saturday 4th May              GordonCraigTheatre, Stevenage

Sunday 5th May                 The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury

Wednesday 8th May        St George’s Hall, Bradford

Thursday 9th May             Rothes Hall, Glenrothes

Friday 10th May                 NewcastleCity Hall

Sunday 12th May               O2 Apollo, Manchester

Wednesday 15th May     Harlow Playhouse

Friday 17th May                 Chatham Central Theatre

Tuesday 21st May             CheltenhamTown Hall

Thursday 23rd May           Eastleigh Concorde Clyub

Friday 24th May                 Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall

Wednesday 29th May     Garrick Theatre, Lichfield

For more information contact info@republicmedia.net / 020 3213 0135 

‘Tangled Up’, the first single from ‘The Shocking Miss Emerald’ is currently riding high in the airplay chart and last week Caro performed live ‘In Concert’ on Radio 2. She recently sold out a short tour of Britain (including the Royal Albert Hall) and has announced an extensive September tour.

‘Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor’ and ‘The Shocking Miss Emerald’ are released on GrandMono/Dramatico

For more information contact info@republicmedia.net / 020 3213 0135

Caro Emerald

‘The Shocking Miss Emerald’

Album release May 6th 2013

Dramatico / Grandmono

www.caroemerald.com @caroemerald

Including the top 20 airplay hit ‘Tangled Up’

‘Tangled Up’ video: http://bit.ly/YQwzfl

‘The Shocking Miss Emerald’ is Caro Emerald’s long awaited second album. Where Caro’s multi-platinum selling debut album, ‘Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor’, took its inspiration from the Hollywood cinema and the glitz and glamour of the jazz scene, ‘The Shocking Miss Emerald’ is inspired by the epicentre of style, romance, excitement and dangerous liaisons – Paris.

Picture Man Ray and his Bohemian friends roaming the streets of Montparnasse, famous hotels, shady cabarets and bars where fashionable dames, struggling artists and foreign visitors mingle. Caro takes part in it, reminisces about her life in the spotlight, but never fails to take her listeners backstage, away from the stage, to where the work is done, the tears are shed and the credits are earned, not just cashed in.

The main theme, if you will, of ‘The Shocking Miss Emerald’ is style. Style has always played an important role in the Caro Emerald world, and this album emphasizes Caro not only as a great singer, but also a sophisticated and timeless style icon. The first single, the hooky, hip-hop tango ‘Tangled Up’, is stylish, classy and sassy pop - Caro’s trademark - and is a delicious appetiser for the new album. ‘Tangled Up’ is written by Vince Degiorgio, David Schreurs and Guy Chambers, with production by Caro's steady production team of Schreurs and Jan van Wieringen.

Smouldering, charismatic and with an appealingly aesthetic eye for presentation, Caro Emerald is a truly original pop star.  ‘Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor’, so joyful and overflowing with retro-loveliness, sold more than 1.3 million copies across Europe, dominating the charts for 30 weeks in Holland, and in Britain spent nine weeks in the top 10 and was certified platinum. Caro performed on UK TV shows including Jools Holland’s Hootenanny, Strictly Come Dancing and BBC’s Children In Need and her music became a permanent fixture on the airwaves with Radio 2 adding all five singles to the A List and making the record Album Of The Week. Caro’s live performances included an astonishing set in London’s Hyde Park and at the Isle of Wight Festival and her sold out headline UK tour garnered rave reviews.

Caro has also dominated the German music scene, and recently picked up the prestigious Golden Camera Award for ‘Best International Music Artist’, the ‘International Newcomer Award’ at the Echo Awards and  was nominated for the Swiss Music Award ‘Best Breaking Act International’. More recently, America has discovered Caro and in January she played sold out shows in Los Angeles and New York to great acclaim. Her live performance is not to be missed - reviewing the show at The Roundhouse, The Times declared the atmosphere to be “part carnival, part high-school prom”, praising her “magnificent vocals” and concluding that “When she finally bounced off stage, punching the air, it felt like a whirlwind had hit North London.”

In March Caro previewed the new album at three shows including a sold out night at Royal Albert Hall (“Last night’s show was a finger-clicker of the highest order” – Evening Standard). ‘Tangled Up’ has already become a favourite on the airwaves, currently in the top 20 airplay chart with impressive national exposure including on Radio 2 and Smooth.

For further information please contact info@republicmedia.net / 020 3213 0135

Sample Press quotes:

"Deleted Scenes From the Cutting Room Floor is so thoroughly joyous and cleverly thought out it's almost impossible not to be seduced by it ... a great album" - BBC Music

“The musicianship is immaculate and the vocals superb” "Easy to like, hard to resist: a real find" - **** – Daily Express

 “A sassy, hip swinging va va voomstress” – Daily Mirror

“Emerald’s carefree sense of fun is, ultimately, disarming” – The Independent

“This is pop that’s meant to be popular” – The Arts Desk

"A truly classy piece of work"- **** - Mail on Sunday

 “The lipsticked siren who has conquered her native Holland and the rest of Europe” – You magazine

“Dutch sensation Caro channels the slinky, sexy vibe of jazz and salsa clubs in days gone by…” "A cross between Lily Allen and Jessica Rabbit this is sassy stuff. Don't miss out! Retro loveliness" - *****– Star magazine

‘Fun, frisky and fabulous’  **** - Star Magazine (about Tangled Up)

“Caro’s jazz cadences are creamily executed”. "A lovely little find" - **** - Boyz

“She came armed with a series of irresistible melodies that burrowed into your consciousness and refused to leave” – Evening Standard

“Caro Emerald caresses our ears with that velvety voice” “Emotion drips from every note she lets pass through her lips and her tunes transport us to another age…” – Perez Hilton

“unbelievably phenomenal vocals. Elegant, smooth and soothing.” – Popzine

“terrific” “Would I see Caro Emerald again? Absolutely.”  - Popdose

“Her jazzy sound is one part American Standards, one part Motown with a little bit of electronica mixed in.” -EllenWood 

New single ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ released May 13th

From the album ‘Back In The Room’ released October 2012 on Basstone Recordswww.brucefoxton.com / www.twitter.com/brucefoxton

Bruce Foxton (The Jam/From The Jam/Stiff Little Fingers) returns this year with the second single from his 2012 album ‘Back In The Room’. Soulful and energetic, Uncut Magazine says, “Foxton proves himself adept at Steely Dan smooth jazz on ‘Don’t Waste My Time’”.

Guests on this track include Spandau Ballet’s Steve Norman and ‘60’s soul guitar god’ Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG’s/The Blues Brothers). Cropper adds his distinctive guitar to the track creating a slice of Motown via Woking, Record Collector commenting, “Steve Cropper’s guitar brings an element of urbane cool to the slick jazzy strut of ‘Don’t Waste My Time’”. Also joining Bruce on this single and throughout the album are Big Country’s Mark Brzezicki and Bruce’s song writing partner, ‘From The Jam’ frontman Russell Hastings.

The album boasts a very special guest on three songs in Paul Weller, who had Bruce as a guest on his 2010 album ‘Wake Up the Nation’ and at a show at the Royal Albert Hall in the same year. Commenting on working again with Paul Weller and having Steve Cropper guesting Bruce said: “It was such a pleasure to work and hang out with Paul again. What an honour to have both Paul and Steve play on the album, I’m at my best when I am part of a band. That’s why making ‘Back In The Room’ has been such a blast.”

Bruce performed some of his new tracks during the set of his very successful ‘From The Jam’ Tour which is still ongoing with extensive dates in the UK. Performing all across Britain including a sold out show at KOKO the new music got a great response from fans. "I still get a buzz from performing live” said Bruce.

Bruce released his album ‘Back In The Room’,via the fan funding site PledgeMusic in October 2012. The classic The Jam sound is alive and well on the album but there is more to Bruce’s solo work. Ranging from a rock ‘n’ roll beat to a surprising folk sound with a pinch of 60’s psychedelia, the soulful jazz at the heart of ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ adds to the mix in the delightfully varied album.

“There’s welcome shades of The Jam, sweet sax, a sincere touch and lashings of fiery rock and roll”

– Guitar and Bass Magazine

“His new album ‘Back In The Room’ is simply brilliant” – Loaded Magazine

 ‘From The Jam’ is touring throughout the UK this year:

19/04/13 The Factory, Porth

20/04/13 Bedford Corn Exchange

21/04/13 Isle of Arts Festival Ventnor, Isle of Wight.

25/04/13 Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth University,Ceredigion.

26/04/13 Robin 2 Bilston, Near Wolverhampton

27/04/13 The Phoenix Theatre, Beaconsfield Street, Blyth. Northumberland.

28/04/13 The Great British Alternative Festival Minehead along with The Blockheads, The Fall, Boomtown Rats, Eddie and The Hot Rods, Selector, Neville Staples, The Members, The Lurkers, Toyah and many more

02/05/13 The Queens Hall, Nuneaton

03/05/13 Manchester Academy

04/05/13 Edinburgh Liquid Rooms

05/05/13 Aberdeen Lemon Tree

11/05/13 The Village, Dublin with special guest Simon Townsend

For more information please contact Republic Media – info@republicmedia.net  020 3213 0135

The first joint activity brings together Deutsche Grammophon, Universal Music's iconic classical label, and B&O PLAY, Bang & Olufsen's new brand that lets music aficionados enjoy outstanding acoustics in even more places. B&O PLAY has recently introduced a new generation of award-winning design products specially created for digital enjoyment and mobile lifestyles – with uncompromising dedication to premium sound.

Universal Music's next "Yellow Lounge London" event will take place today on April 8, 2013 at Fabric in Shoreditch, and B&O PLAY will be making a significant product introduction to all Yellow Lounge attendees. Founded in Berlin, Universal Music's Yellow Lounge movement has brought classical music to new audiences in new locations in a number of major urban centers.  Yellow Lounge London guests will be the first to try out a brand new B&O PLAY product, and compare for themselves how the performances sound both live and in a Deutsche Grammophon recording – played on the latest B&O PLAY equipment.Subsequent B&O PLAY launch events are planned around the world at outside venues. In the USA, an event will be held May 8in New York City to support the product introduction.

Bang & Olufsen CEO Tue Mantoni notes that the collaboration is a first for Bang & Olufsen. "We are extremely proud to join forces with Universal Music, and to make common cause for excellent sound with a global leader in recorded music. Universal Music works with some of the greatest artists and labels of all time, and they share our mission of bringing people musical experiences that are as close to the original as possible."

Both companies will introduce further aspects of the new collaboration later this year, including exclusive Bang & Olufsen Yellow Lounge events in four major European cities during 2013 – all in the cause of musical excellence.

"We're very pleased to be teaming up with Bang & Olufsen," says Max Hole , chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group International.  "Our artists are driven by excellence in creating their music while Bang & Olufsen stand for excellence in listening to and enjoying music; we're very excited about what we can achieve by working together."

Bang & Olufsen was founded in Struer, Denmark, in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen , two innovative, young engineers devoted to high quality audio reproduction. Since then, the brand has become an icon of performance and design excellence through its long-standing craftsmanship tradition and the strongest possible commitment to high-tech research and development.

Still at the forefront of domestic technology, Bang & Olufsen has extended its comprehensive experience with integrated audio and video solutions for the home to other areas such as the hospitality and automotive industries in recent years. Consequently, its current product range epitomizes seamless media experiences in the home as well as in the car and on the move. For more information on Bang & Olufsen, please visit www.bang-olufsen.com.

Images are available free of charge from the Bang & Olufsen media centre: http://mediacenter.bang-olufsen.dk. If you are a first-time visitor, please follow the instructions and register as a new user.

Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the global music leader, with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's premier music publishing operations worldwide.

Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol Records, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, I.R.S., Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, Manhattan, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group and Virgin Records, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division and Bravado, its merchandising company.

Universal Music Group is a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.

Yellow Lounge London – learn more at http://yellowlounge.co.uk/

TOUR DATES:

Mar 6th - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

Mar 8th - Liverpool Echo Arena Liverpool

Mar 9th - Manchester Arena

Mar 13th - Glasgow SECC Glasgow

Mar 14th - Birmingham LG Arena

Mar 15th - London The O2 

Tickets go on sale 9am on Friday 14 December from www.aeglive.co.uk

In November, Ne-Yo released the fantastic album R.E.D. which was Ne-Yo’s first album for Motown. The first single ‘Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)’saw Ne-Yo bag not only his fourth solo UK #1 single but also Motown’s first #1 single in 20 years.

R.E.D.’s title is an acronym for Realizing Every Dream.  The title, said NE-YO, “came from me stepping outside myself, looking at my life as it is today and realizing that every dream I’ve had from the day I decided I wanted to do music, every dream that I’ve had from then til now, I’m definitely on the way to realizing it.”  In January 2012, NE-YO was also named Senior Vice President of A&R for the legendary label Motown.

Buy R.E.D here - http://po.st/XBpfXq

Boy band, Union J and Clark were left head to head in the Sing Off in tonight's X Factor Results show, as the other acts, James Arthur, Christopher Maloney, Jahmene Douglas, made it through on the public vote.

In The Sing Off, Nicole Scherzinger's act, Rylan, sang Athlete's 'Wire'. Whilst Louis Walsh's act, Union J, sang Snow Patrol's 'Run'.

The Sing Off followed yesterday's (November 24) 'ABBA versus Motown' theme.

The show started with The X Factor Final Five singing Coldplay's 'If I Ruled The World'. Other performances came from Bruno Mars and Rihanna.

Aviator shade-wearing Bruno Mars sang his new single 'Locked Out of Heaven'.

Rihanna performed the UK exclusive of her new single, 'Diamonds'.  Show host, Dermot O'Leary quipped about the "British weather content" onstage after she got drenched by rain whilst singing.

Tulisa sent Rylan home. Scherzinger supported her act by sending Union J home. Louis Walsh sent Rylan home. Gary Barlow unsurprisingly sent Clark home. 

Watch Rylan's first audition for The X Factor below:

The 'Mama Do' songstress is gearing up for the release of her third studio album next year, and has explained the inspiration behind her new music.

Lott revealed to new! magazine: "I'm making my album at the moment so I'm in the studio every day writing new songs. It has a bit of a vintage-soul sound reminiscent of Motown because that's my favourite kind of music.

She added: "We're nearly finished so it's definitely going to be out next year."

Lott recently unveiled her new jewellery and accessory range for Rock N' Rose and revealed she turns to model boyfriend Oliver Cheshire for style tips, explaining:

"We definitely tell each other when we don't like what the other is wearing. But Oliver is as much into his fashion as I am so he loves all that kind of stuff. I do ask him for his opinion on what I should wear or if something makes me look bad."

The R&B star was named as the new Senior Vice President of A&R at Motown Records earlier this year and he told the Daily Star that he believes that some of today's acts won't be remembered like some of the Motown stars of past.

Motown Records launched acts like The Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder and Ne-Yo said that Lady Gaga and Co. won't be regarded as music "icons" in the future. He said:

"Who was the last real icon to come out of the music industry? Everybody thought it was going to be Lady Gaga, but where is she right now, what's going on with her?"

He continued: "Not to take anything away from her because she's ridiculously talented, but artists who stand the test of time - you just don't see those any more."

Speaking to Rolling Stone backstage at the iHeartRadio festival, Cyrus explained that fiancé Liam Hemsworth was working on a movie in Louisiana and she spent time there with him only to find herself drawn to the Motown genre:

"My boyfriend was filming a movie in New Orleans, so I got into the older Motown Sound vibe, which is really fun to mix with this country pop sound. I listened to a lot of Irma Thomas and tried to get that old soul into it, too."

"When you're making a record you never think of what weird direction you're going to go, but that was something that popped up in a few of the sessions we've been working on, and it's been really fun."

She added that the first single from her new project is hopefully set for November release: "I'm thinking hopefully November for a single. It's just whenever we feel we've got that [song] we feel really confident in being the first single."

"I've got songs right now I feel like could potentially be singles, [but] it's been two years that I haven't said anything, and I want that to be the right thing we say."

The 21-year-old, who recently hinted at plans to record a new Motown-inspired album, admits she regularly relies on her mother for support and advice when away from her boyfriend, Oliver Cheshire:

"My boyfriend, Oliver, is a model and often just as busy as me, so mum still comes along when I travel. It's no fun being in a hotel on your own - I get lonely.

“She looks after my scheduling because I'm rubbish at that. She's also honest and tells me straight if I'm doing something wrong. She always has my best interests at heart."

The ‘All About Tonight’ star, who previously admitted she is always careful not to upset her family with her career, also revealed that she still seeks her mum's approval during her day-to-day life:

"I'm just the same now as when I was a teenager. Drugs don't interest me but I like to go out with my friends and have a good time. I've thought about having a tattoo, but I don't think mum would like it."

The singer is quoted by the Belfast Telegraph saying that she often feels that some people simply disregard her and don't realise that she has worked hard in the music industry for years. She said:

"People who haven't bought my album or seen me live, they think things like I don't write my own music or [don't know] I worked my way up since I was 13 to get into the music industry."

Lott is also quoted speaking about her forthcoming new album - something that is set for a "Motown and soul" feel. She said:

"I'm going to start putting some ideas together soon. I just want to go back into the Motown and soul vibe. I would like to make the album with that whole sound, because that's the music that I love."

Based in New York, the multi-platinum, three-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist Ne-Yo will continue to work on his eagerly awaited fifth studio album, expected for summer release as his Motown debut.  At the same time, Ne-Yo will take on A&R duties at Motown, serving as a producer and mentor to the label's artists, as well as seeking out and signing new talent to the label.  Ne-Yo, who has a co-starring role in Red Tails, the new George Lucas WWII movie about the U.S. Army Air Corps' Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots, will also be seen on NBC television's upcoming season of The Voice, as a mentor for Cee-Lo Green's team.

"Ne-Yo is an enormously talented artist, songwriter, and producer," said Mr. Weiss, "In fact, he's one of the greatest songwriters of our times.  His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark.  But this move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo, as both an artist and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012."

"We are honored and humbled to have Ne-Yo as a part of the Motown family, as both a recording artist and in an A&R role," said Ms. Habtemariam, who has recently taken the reins at the historic label.  "We are committed to discovering, developing and nurturing R&B/Soul superstars here at Motown and in Ne-Yo we have both a global superstar and arguably one of the best songwriters in music. His presence on the executive team only strengthens our commitment to the very best in R&B."

"I'm a combination of excited, honored and terrified all at once!" said Ne-Yo.  "Excited about a new beginning here at Motown, honored that I've been given such a prestigious title and trusted with such responsibility, TERRIFIED because I know that playing this role, in the fashion of one of my idols and career role models Mr. Smokey Robinson, these are big shoes to fill.....but trust, I can handle it."

Ne-Yo's most recent album, 2010's Libra Scale (his final album for Def Jam) was the follow-up to the RIAA platinum Year Of The Gentleman (2008), his third consecutive album to enter the Soundscan chart at #1.  In addition to containing a trio of RIAA platinum hit singles, "Closer," "Miss Independent," and "Mad," Year Of The Gentleman generated five Grammy nominations in 2009 – with "Miss Independent" winning for Best R&B Song (song­writers award) and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.  Previously, Ne-Yo established himself as a core member of the Def Jam family with Because Of You (2007), which won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and In My Own Words (2006) – both #1 debuts on the Billboard 200 and R&B Albums charts.

In addition to this exciting news, the record company added that the 'Beautiful Monster' star will also be given a creative role and is set to be appointed senior VP of A&R. This new position will see Ne-Yo produce and mentor the label's existing talent while discovering and recruiting future stars. 

Barry Weiss, Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown chairman/CEO, explained:

"His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark. But this move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo as both an artist and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012."