UK Charts

Owl City make it two weeks as the UKs No.1 single managing to keep the cr*p that is ‘Glee’s version of ‘don’t stop believin’ of the No.1 spot (thank you UK public!)
Paolo Nutini’s fantastic album ‘Sunnyside up’ deservedly goes back to No.1

Top 5 U.K. Singles:
5: Sidney Samson – ‘Riverside’
4: 3OH!3 & Katy Perry – ‘Starstrukk’
3: Iyaz –Replay’
2: Cast of ‘Glee’ – ‘Don’t stop belivin’’
1: Owl City – ‘Fireflies’

Top 5 U.K. Albums:
5: Lady Gaga – “The fame monster”
4: Andre Rieu – ‘Forever Vienna’
3: Florence + The Machine – ‘Lungs’
2: Alicia Key’s – ‘The Element of Freedom’
1: Paolo Nutini – ‘Sunnyside up’

Nelly & Kelly Rowland

Nelly has revealed that he and Kelly Rowland have recorded the follow-up to their massive No.1 duet ‘Dilemma’
Nelly revealed that he hooked up with Kelly last month to complete the new track titled ‘Gone’, a second installment to ‘Dilemma’, (which was No.1 on both sides of the Atlantic upon release back in 2002)
He said: “We were in the studio in Miami and I called K (Kelly) and she was in the bed and just shot down to the studio...
“We know we can't in no way shape of form (sic) can we outdo part one. There's no way. You're in a lose situation if you go in trying to do that. What the new song is doing is a continuation of the story”
Can’t wait to hear it! Click to hear the fantastic ‘Dilemma’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSM0-7DHN8E

Haiti charity appeal

Simon Cowell has confirmed that the charity single he’s organized in aid of Haiti will be released on download from 7th February.
The song (a cover of REM's ‘Everybody Hurts’), will also be available to buy on CD from 8th February.
Simon said that the single had been “an absolute priority for us all”
Cheryl Cole explained that she wanted to “help the people of Haiti rebuild their lives” and Rod Stewart said that he could not think of “a more fitting song than ‘Everybody Hurts’ to convey the unimaginable tragedy that is Haiti”
JLS band member Oritse Williams, who lost relatives in the earthquake, also said that: “The tragedy is very close to my heart. It's great to be working with such talented artists all pulling together to make a difference through song.”
Massive stars like Alexandra Burke, Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Michael Bublé, Jon Bon Jovi Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Take That, Mika, Westlife and James all perform on the single
The proceeds from the single will be split between ‘The Sun's’ Helping Haiti fund and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has confirmed that her new album will be released after two more singles.
Sophie has also included her Freemasons dance classic ‘Heartbreak (Make me a dancer)’ on the upcoming record, she went onto say “I think we're going to do two singles and then the album. In fact, it'll be almost three, because I've got ‘Heartbreak’ on there as well,”
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, (who recently confirmed that her new single is called ‘Bittersweet’), also revealed that she is currently making plans for the video.
“I'm hoping to get my first lot of video treatments in today and I will be filming a video at the beginning of February,” ... “The scheduled release for the single is the beginning of April. We're just choosing photographers for the artwork and doing a brief for the direction and that sort of thing. Fun stuff.”

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera’s new album ‘Bionic’ has been postponed, according to a statement by RCA Records.
Christina’s fourth album was originally scheduled for release in March but has now been put back to April (at the earliest).
‘Glam’, her first single from the album is however still expected expected to hit radio airwaves in February.
Christina Aguilera has worked with Goldfrapp and M.I.A on this album.
I can't wait, her last album was just quite simply a master piece!

US Charts

Ke$ha spends her sixth week at the No.1 spot in the singles chart in America despite strong competition from Taylor Swift’s new release.
The ‘Hope For Haiti Now’ charity album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 171,000 sold

Top 5 U.S Albums:
5: Various Artist – ‘2010 Grammy nominees’
4: Spoon – ‘Tranference’
3: Lady Gaga – ‘The Fame’
2: Susan Boyle – ‘I dreamed a dream’
1: Various Artist – ‘Hope for Haiti now’

Top 5 U.S Singles:
5: Justin Bieber feat... Ludacris – ‘Baby’
4: Young Money – ‘Bedrock’
3: Lady Gaga – ‘Bad Romance’
2: Taylor Swift – ‘Today was a fairytale’
1: Ke$ha – ‘Tik Tok’

Cheryl Cole

Cheryl Cole has been announced as support for the extra Black Eyed Pea’s gig in the UK.
The Black Eyed Peas added a new date to their nationwide UK tour at London's O2 Arena on 28th May ~ Tickets are due to go on sale this Friday (tomorrow).

Radiohead

Radiohead are reportedly planning to record a cover of Peter Gabriel's 1982 song ‘Wallflower’.
They are taking part in Peter Gabriel's ‘song swap’ project, returning the favour after he recently included a rendition of Radiohead's ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’ on his latest album ‘Scratch My Back’.
“Thom wanted to do a version of ‘Wallflower’ which I'm very curious to hear,” Gabriel revealed during a podcast on his official website... “I think that was an important track for him when he was 14.”
No release date has yet been issued for the cover's release.

Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams announced yesterday that his next single will be the official song for Sport Relief 2010
His song called: ‘Morning Sun’ will be released on 8th March just before the Sport Relief weekend. (Which takes place from March 19 to March 21).
Robbie said of the news: “I am very happy to donate my time to help Sport Relief and I thank my co-writers for doing the same... Please join us in helping this very worthwhile cause.”
All proceeds from the single will be donated to the charity.

AC/DC

AC/DC have been announced as the first headliner of the 2010 Download Festival
In addition their will other bands that include: Deftones, Stone Temple Pilots, Bullet For My Valentine, Megadeth, Motörhead and Wolfmother.
AC/DC sparked rumours that they are due to appear when they made an announcement on their official website last month, (only for the post to be taken down hours later).
Further additions to the lineup will be made over the coming weeks in the run-up to the festival, which takes place at Donington Park, Leicestershire from June 11 to June 13.

UK Charts

Owl City climbs one place this week to snatch the UK No.1 single from Iyaz, Owl City can now add the UK to the countless counties where this single has been No.1 (Including America, Ireland, The Netherlands and Australia)
Florence + The Machine hold on to the No.1 album for a second week.

Top 5 U.K. Singles:
5: Sidney Samson – ‘Riverside’
4: 3OH!3 & Katy Perry – ‘Starstrukk’
3: Cast of ‘Glee’ – ‘Don’t stop belivin’’
2: Iyaz –Replay’
1: Owl City – ‘Fireflies’

Top 5 U.K. Albums:
5: Lady Gaga – “The fame monster”
4: Justin Bieber - My Worlds
3: Lostprohets - The Betrayed
2: Paolo Nutini – ‘Sunnyside up’
1: Florence + The Machine – ‘Lungs’

Scouting for Girls

Scouting for Girls have announced that they will release their new single on 29th March titled: “This Ain't A Love Song”
The track is taken from their second album ‘Everybody Wants To Be On TV’ which will be released on 12th April.
Scouting for Girls was originally scheduled to release the follow-up to their self-titled debut last year... “We had the album written, but decided it just wasn't good enough. So we trashed it and started over again. I just wanted to write the perfect pop song. We are perfectionists!”
they previously said that the new album was inspired by reality TV shows including ‘The X Factor’
Can't wait! ~ Their last album was really good!

Click to listen to ‘she's so lovely’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVLqo7C-WwA

Haiti charity appeal

REM's manager has confirmed that the band's single from 1993 ‘Everybody Hurts’ has been chosen for Simon Cowell's Haiti charity appeal
Bertis Downs told a national newspaper that the band would waive their royalties on the 1993 single, “We are deeply touched the song has been chosen for this Haiti campaign.
“It means a lot that the song the guys wrote all those years ago will be used for such an important appeal.”
Simon Cowell added: “We are all working hard to make this single a success and to raise lots of money for Helping Haiti.
“We have a short time to do this and the people in Haiti need as much help as we can give them as soon as possible.”
“I'd like to make this record with as many different types of singer as we can and I hope everyone in the industry comes together to get involved. The initial response has been fantastic.”
Artists lined up for the release include Leona Lewis, JLS, Rod Stewart and Michael Bublé, with George Michael, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Take That and Robbie Williams also in talks to appear.
Sony have donated free studio time for the track, which will be produced by Steve Robson. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has confirmed that the single will be on sale free of VAT.

So com’on folk lets get this to No.1 when it’s released to raise load of much needed cash for the Haiti appeal!

US Charts

Ke$ha spends her fifth week at the No.1 spot in the singles chart in America and New Yorkers ‘Vampire weekend’ debut their 3rd album straight at No.1 after selling over 120,000 copies (Which i have and can confirm that it’s brilliant)

Top 5 U.S Albums:
5: Alicia Keys – ‘Element of freedom’
4: Lady Gaga – ‘The Fame’
3: Ke$ha – ‘Animal’
2: Susan Boyle – ‘I dreamed a dream’
1: Vampire Weekend – ‘Contra’

Top 5 U.S Singles:
5: Izay – ‘Replay’
4: Young Money – ‘Bedrock’
3: Jay Z & Alicia Keys – ‘Empire state of mind’
2: Lady Gaga – ‘Bad Romance’
1: Ke$ha – ‘Tik Tok’

Click to watch / listen to Vampire Weekend's fantastic single 'Cousins': http://www.muzu.tv/vampireweekend/cousins-music-video/519554?country=ie

Gorillaz

Gorillaz have announced details of their album called ‘Plastic Beach’, (which is due for release on 8th March).
The animated band's creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett told a music mag that the album is now complete and will feature collaborations with: Lou Reed, Mos Def, Snoop Dogg, De La Soul and Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys. The Clash duo Mick Jones and Paul Simonon will also feature on the record's title track.
“Leeching is the wrong word now, isn't it?” said bassist Murdoc Niccals of the record's guest appearances.
“It's not like I've drawn blood or anything. No, I think the word 'coerced' sings the deal a little better. Although, yes, the coercion did come via chloroform and rohypnol.”

... Can't wait - Love 'em!

'Plastic Beach's' full tracklisting is as follows:
'Orchestral Intro'
'Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach' (feat. Snoop Dogg)
'White Flag (feat. Kano & Bashy)
'Rhinestone Eyes'
'Stylo' (feat. Bobby Womack and Mos Def)
'Superfast Jellyfish' (feat. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul)
'Empire Ants' (feat. Little Dragon)
'Glitter Freeze' (feat. Mark E Smith)
'Some Kind Of Nature' (feat. Lou Reed)
'On Melancholy Hill'
'Broken'
'Sweepstakes' (feat. Mos Def & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
'Plastic Beach' (feat. Mick Jones & Paul Simonon)
'To Binge' (feat. Little Dragon)
'Cloud Of Unknowing' (feat. Bobby Womack)
'Pirate Jet'

MGMT

Bad news folks ... MGMT have announced that they will not release any singles from their upcoming second album ‘Congratulations’.
They claim that the new record is a complete body of work without any standout singles.
“We'd rather people hear the whole album as an album and see what tracks jump out rather than the ones that get played on the radio - if anything gets played on the radio!” Ben Goldwasseer told a music magazine...
“There definitely isn't a ‘Time To Pretend’ or a ‘Kids’ on the album. We've been talking about ways to make sure people hear the album as an album in order and not just figure out what are the best three tracks, download those and not listen to the rest of it.”
MGMT are expected to release the new record in early spring....’Time to pretend’ & ‘Kids’ are just classic master piece’s in my opinion that may have been over looked if they hadn’t of been released as a single! Please lads ... Give us at least your best track!

Click to listen to ‘Time to pretend’: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x562vd_mgmt-time-to-pretend-video_music

Brit Awards 2010

Below are the full list of nominees for the 30th Brit Awards 2010
The awards will take place on Tuesday 16th February.

The shortlists for the Brit Awards 2010 have been unveiled. Here they are in full:

British male solo artist
Calvin Harris
Dizzee Rascal
Mika
Paolo Nutini
Robbie Williams.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Paolo Nutini

British female solo artist
Bat For Lashes
Florence And The Machine
Leona Lewis
Lily Allen
Pixie Lott

Alan Whiteman predicts: Florence + The Machine

British breakthrough act
Florence And The Machine
Friendly Fires
JLS
La Roux
Pixie Lott.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Florence + The Machine

British group
Doves
Friendly Fires
JLS
Kasabian
Muse.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Muse

MasterCard British Album
Dizzee Rascal - Tongue n'Cheek
Florence And The Machine – Lungs
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You
Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Paolo Nutini

British single
Alesha Dixon - Breathe Slow
Alexandra Burke featuring Flo Rida - Bad Boys
Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love
Joe McElderry - The Climb
JLS - Beat Again
La Roux - In For The Kill
Lily Allen - The Fear
Pixie Lott - Mama Do
Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart
Tinchy Stryder featuring N-Dubz - Number 1.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Tinchy Stryder featuring N-Dubz - Number 1.

International male solo artist
Bruce Springsteen
Eminem
Jay-Z
Michael Buble
Seasick Steve.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Michael Buble

International female solo artist
Lady GaGa
Ladyhawke
Norah Jones
Rihanna
Shakira.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Lady Gaga

International breakthrough act
Animal Collective
Daniel Merriweather
Empire Of The Sun
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Lady Gaga

International album
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D.
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On Dream
Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3
Lady GaGa - The Fame.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3

British producer
Jim Abbiss
Paul Epworth
Ethan Johns
Steve Lillywhite.

Alan Whiteman predicts: Ethan Johns

Critics' choice
Ellie Goulding.

Outstanding contribution to music
Robbie Williams.

Brits performance of 30th year
Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive/How Deep Is Your Love (1997)
Bros - I Owe You Nothing (1989)
Coldplay - Clocks (2003)
Eurythmics and Stevie Wonder - Angel (1999)
Girls Aloud - The Promise (2009)
Kanye West - Gold Digger (2006)
Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head (2002)
Michael Jackson - Earth Song (1996)
Paul McCartney - Live & Let Die (2008)
Pet Shop Boys - Go West (1994)
Robbie Williams & Tom Jones - Full Monty medley (1998)
Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama (2005)
Spice Girls - Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are? (1994)
The Who - Who Are You? (1988).

Alan Whiteman predicts: Michael Jackson - Earth Song (1996)

Brits album of 30 years
Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Dido - No Angel
Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
Duffy – Rockferry
Keane - Hopes & Fears
Oasis - What's The Story Morning Glory
Phil Collins - No Jacket Required
Sade - Diamond Life
The Verve - Urban Hymns
Travis - The Man Who

Alan Whiteman predicts: Keane - Hopes & Fears

Kelis

I was happy to read this morning that Rapper Kelis is back in the studio and is reportedly been working with British duo La Roux on her new album.
“Kelis was over in London and heard the La Roux record, which she loved,” reports a national newspaper, it goes on to quote “She hooked up with Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid to write and is hopeful the tracks will make her record.”
Kelis recently signed a new record deal with ‘will.i.am Music Group’, (a sub-division of Interscope Records)

Can’t wait, lets hope it’s as good as ‘Milkshake’. Click to listen: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1yszu_kelis-milk-shake_music

UK Charts

The massive American No.1 from Owl City enter’s the UK Charts at No.2 meaning Iyaz spends his second week at the top spot!
Florence + The Machine climb one place to take the No.1 spot in the album chart 7 months after it’s release.

Top 5 U.K. Singles:
5: Cast of ‘Glee’ – ‘Dont stop believin’’
4: 3OH!3 & Katy Perry – ‘Starstrukk’
3: Sidney Samson – ‘Riverside’
2: Owl City – ‘Fire Flies’
1: Iyaz –Replay’

Top 5 U.K. Albums:
5: YouMeAtSix – ‘Hold me down’
4: Lady Gaga – “The fame monster”
3: Vampire Weekend – ‘Contra’
2: Paolo Nutini – ‘Sunnyside up’
1: Florence + The Machine – ‘Lungs’

Cheryl Cole

Cheryl Cole's next single will be fantastic slower song ‘Parachute’,
The track, produced by Reggie Perry and will.i.am, will be released in the UK on 15th March
Cheryl’s record label posted on their Twitter feed: “Cheryl's new single 'Parachute' out March 15th - video shoot next week - more news announced soon!”
‘Parachute’ has already made an appearance in the UK singles chart last year No.65 (on downloads) after Cheryl performed it on her December ITV1 show, ‘Cheryl Cole's Night In’.
Cheryl’s first solo single, ‘Fight For This Love’, went straight No.1, then her follow-up ‘3 Words’ peaked at No.4 last month. Her album, also called ‘3 Words’, was also No.1 and has since sold more than 600,000 copies.

Click to listen / watch Cheryl perform the ‘Parachute’ on Cheryl Cole's Night In’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGRQOCroqL4

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash's final studio album will be released next month to mark what would of been the singers 78th birthday.
Recorded during the same sessions that brought the posthumous ‘American V: A Hundred Highways’ in 2006, the Rick Rubin-produced ‘American VI: Ain't No Grave’ will be available from 26th February.
Rubin said: “Johnny said that recording was his main reason for being alive. I think it was the only thing that kept him going.
“He had tremendous faith, he didn't really have fear and he already was dealing with pain; I think he had acceptance. When he knew he was going to die, he was calm and matter of fact about it, and... that was it.”
Johnny Cash died on 12th September 2003, four months after the passing of his wife and musical collaborator June Carter Cash.

The full tracklisting of the last chapter in the ‘American Recordings’ series is as follows:

‘Ain't No Grave’
‘Redemption Day’
‘For The Good Times’
‘First Corinthians’
‘Where I'm Bound’
‘Satisfied Mind’
‘It Don't Hurt Anymore’
‘Cool Clear Water’
‘Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream’
‘Aloha’

Kate Nash

Kate Nash has announced that she has completed work on her second album, the follow up to the No.1 ‘Made of Bricks’
Kate worked with former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler on her new album which will be released in the next couple of months.
Tracks already confirmed for the album have the working titles ‘Doo Wa Do’, ‘Paris’, ‘Kiss That Girl’ and ‘Don't You Wanna Share The Guilt’.
Kate Nash revealed that one song, ‘I Hate Seagulls’, was inspired by her current relationship with The Cribs's star Ryan Jarman.
“I had never been in a serious relationship before - it changes a lot of things,”...
“It's like [on the song], 'I hate seagulls, I hate groupies and I hate being sick'. Sometimes there are things where you're like, 'F**king hell, I hate all this bulls**t'. Then there's someone who you love... that's the reason you're alright.” ... wacky as every then Kate ... Huh!

The O2

The O2 arena has been announced as the world's most popular music venue for the second year in a row.
The 23,000-capacity venue in London sold 2,349,252 tickets over the course of 2009, beating its own record of 1,806,447 in 2008 by 30%.
David Campbell, president and chief executive of O2 owner AEG Europe, said of the news: “These results really are quite amazing. I want to thank all the artists; agents; managers; promoters, the more than 2,500 people who work at The O2 and all our partners.
“London deserves a world class entertainment destination and we will keep working hard in the next decade to ensure we remain a world leader.”
The poll, compiled by Pollstar, revealed that Manchester's MEN Arena is the second most popular music venue globally, selling 1.3m tickets during 2009.
Despite Michael Jackson's proposed residency falling through, the O2 arena's figures were boosted by Britney Spears's eight-night run, Beyoncé's seven-date stint as well as Tina Turner's five-show residency.

Duffy

Good news folks! ... Duffy has started work on her second album in New York.
It was reported today the she is said to be writing material with The Roots’ drummer Ahmir Thompson and Albert Hammond Snr, (father of The Strokes' guitarist Albert Hammond Jnr.)
Albert Hammond Snr scored a number of hits in the 1970s, while Thompson has previously worked with acts including Christina Aguilera and N*E*R*D.
Duffy amazin’ debut album ‘Rockferry’ was released in 2008 and sold over 6 million copies worldwide.
I can’t wait! Hope it’s as good as her last... i don’t think there was one bad track on it!

Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke has revealed that she is collaborating with RedOne on new material vis her twitter account!
She told her fans that she is in the studio with the producer, (who previously worked on several songs for her brilliant ‘Overcome’ album)
She wrote: “In the studio with @RedOne_Official ! I LOVE this man!!!! Back in the Lab!! With the one and only! Goodtimes! x.”
The message was soon followed by a reply from RedOne, which read: “I am with @alexandramusic Rocking a HIT song!!! Alex is JUST AMMMMAZING super start and ammmmazing person!!!! We are having FUN!!!!”
It is believed the pair are writing tracks due to appear on a repackaged version of the album, marked for release in the US later this year.

US Charts

Ke$ha spends her fourth week at the No.1 spot in the singles chart in America and Ke$ha’s debut album rockets straight in at No.1 in the album charts after shifting over 152,000 copies

Top 5 U.S Albums:
5: Mary J.Blige – ‘Stronger with each tear’
4: Alicia Keys – ‘Element of freedom’
3: Lady Gaga – ‘The Fame’
2: Susan Boyle – ‘I dreamed a dream’
1: Ke$ha – ‘Animal’

Top 5 U.S Singles:
5: Owl City – “Fireflies’
4: Izay – ‘Replay’
3: Jay Z & Alicia Keys – ‘Empire state of mind’
2: Lady Gaga – ‘Bad Romance’
1: Ke$ha – ‘Tik Tok’

Lemar

Ok, whatever about Will Young releasing a Greatest Hits, i’m not sure if Lemar has quite enough of a fan base anymore to release one... (seen as he hasn’t had a UK Top.10 hit since 2006)
Lemar announced details of his best of collection, titled ‘The Hits’ which is due to be released on 1st March.
The disc contains his 6 UK Top.10 single like ‘Dance (With U)’, ‘50/50’ and ‘If There's Any Justice’, as well as his forthcoming new single ‘The Way Love Goes’, (scheduled for release on February 14)
The album includes a three brand new recordings and a version of ‘What About Love?’ which features JLS.

The full tracklisting below:
1. 'Dance (With You)'

2. '50/50'

3. 'Another Day'

4. 'Lullaby'

5. 'If There's Any Justice'

6. 'Time To Grow'

7. 'It's Not That Easy'

8. 'Someone Should Tell You'

9. 'All I Ever Do'

10. 'What About Love?' (featuring JLS)

11. 'If She Knew'

12. 'Weight Of The World'

13. 'The Way Love Goes'

14. 'You Don't Love Me'

15. 'Counting The Days'

Click to listen to ‘If there’s any justice’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K3QXZDmk-s

Chipmunk

Chipmunk has announced the release of a free online mixtape. Titled ‘Just For The Fun Of It’, the compilation includes remixes of Beyoncé's ‘Sweet Dreams’, Drake's ‘Forever’ and Rihanna's ‘Rudeboys’.
Chipmunk described the 20-track mixtape on his Twitter as being a collection of “my fav features, freestyles, radio rips”.
‘Just For The Fun Of It’ also has collaborations with Tinchy Stryder, Wiley, N-Dubz and Sugababe Jade Ewen....
check out his twitter page for details: http://twitter.com/ChipmunkArtist/status/7464164430

Jimi Hendrix

An album of ‘lost’ Jimi Hendrix tracks has been confirmed for release on 8th March
titled ‘Valleys Of Neptune’ and has been produced by Hendrix's stepsister Janie,
Alongside covers of Cream's ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ and Elmore James's ‘Bleeding Heart’, the album features The Jimi Hendrix Experience's early rendition of ‘Hear My Train A Comin’’.
Alternate versions of ‘Ships Passing Through The Night’ and ‘Lullaby For The Summer’ also feature, which was recorded sporadically at a string of studios in London and the US between 1968 and 1970.

The tracklisting is as follows:
'Stone Free'
'Valleys Of Neptune'
'Bleeding Heart'
'Hear My Train A Comin''
'Mr. Bad Luck'
'Sunshine Of Your Love'
'Lover Man'
'Ships Passing Through The Night'
'Fire'
'Red House'
'Lullaby For The Summer'
'Crying Blue Rain'

Kylie Minogue

Good news folks! ... Kylie Minogue is apparently ahead of schedule with the recording of her new LP.
It was reported that Kylie has surprised EMI executives with eight “upbeat” tracks for the follow-up to her 2007 alnum ‘X’.
Miss Minogue has been working with producer Stuart Price on the new material, which is not due until much later in 2010.
A spokesperson for the star said that N-Dubz submitted songs for a possible collaboration – but concrete plans for a hook-up are yet to be made.

UK Charts

Sidney Samson is a Dutch DJ whose signature club hit, ‘Riverside’ has gone straight to No.2 in the UK singles chart, while Iyaz (from the British Virgin Islands) scores his first UK No.1 with his debut single ‘Replay’
The fantastic ‘Sunny side up’ by Paolo Nutini remains at the No.1 spot in the album chart.

Top 5 U.K. Singles:
5: Florence + The Machine – ‘You’ve got the love’
4: Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
3: 3OH!3 & Katy Perry – ‘Starstrukk’
2: Sidney Samson – ‘Riverside’
1: Iyaz –Replay’

Top 5 U.K. Albums:
5: Michael Bublé - “Crazy love”
4: Susan Boyle – “I dreamed a dream”
3: Lady Gaga – “The fame monster”
2: Florence + The Machine – ‘Lungs’
1: Paolo Nutini – ‘Sunnyside up’

M.I.A.

M.I.A. has revealed that she has finished adding the final touches to her new album (the follow-up to last years brilliant ‘Kala’.
M.I.A. went onto reveal “The last album, I didn’t actually sit anywhere long enough for it to really be in my life and to really think about it. Now I’m putting out my next album, and the world has changed. I came up talking s**t about Bush, and it’s great that it’s changed, but I don’t know how much it’s changed, and I’m exploring that.
“I just want to be real, whatever that is. Even if my songs are s**t, and if I have flaws and if I’m confused, if I offend people or if I don’t offend people, I might try to work it out in public, just so you know that it’s okay to think, that thinking’s not a dirty word.”

M.I.A.'s as-yet-untitled third album is scheduled to be released this summer.

Click to listen to just one of the many classic tune off her ‘Kala’ album, ‘Paper Planes’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewRjZoRtu0Y

Cheryl Cole

Cheryl Cole has reportedly agreed to make an appearance on the German version of ‘The X Factor’.
Cheryl will mentor the contestants on the show which will see her kick start a European publicity tour for her album 3 Words.
A national newspaper says that Cheryl Cole will follow-up her stint in Germany with tours in Spain, Italy and France before deciding if she will return to judge the UK X Factor.
“She loves the show but her solo career comes first and if schedules collide then she may not return," the source said. "She wants to spend time in America too – and may commute between X Factor auditions to make it work out there.”

Click to hear Cheryl’s latest Top.5 smash ‘3 Words’ feat... Will.i.am (from the Black Eyed Peas): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfiWXIQ85ho

Ke$ha

Following the massive success in America Ke$ha has brought forward the UK release date of her debut album ‘Animal’, it had been scheduled for release in April.
However, it will now be available from 1st February. It will be followed by Ke$ha's second single, (Which has yet to be decided) on 22nd February.
‘Animal’ came out in the States earlier this week and is currently neck ‘n’ neck with Susan Boyle's ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ for the No.1 spot on the US albums chart.

Kristina DeBarge

Already she’s had a Top.20 U.S & Canadian hit aswell as a Top.30 in Switzerland, but for the rest of world i want to introduce to you the amazin’ ‘Kristina DeBarge’ with her debut single ‘Goodbye’
Kristina was born in California and is the daughter of ‘James DeBarge’ (the youngest member of the music group DeBarge)
She first appeared on TV back in 2003 as a contestant on the American Idol spin-off, American Jouniors.

Click to listen to a FANTASTIC single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NbhfD5wIU4

Mr Hudson

Mr Hudson has just announced details of his 2010 tour, no date for Dublin (as yet)...
Mr Hudson is currently gonna play 12 dates throughout May, but i'm sure he'll be adding more!
Below are the shows / dates:

1 – Loughbor ough Students Union, Loughborough
2 - O2 Academy, Liverpool
3 - O2 Academy, Oxford
5 - Koko, London
7 - Anson Rooms, Bristol
9 - Ritz, Manchester
10 - QMU, Glasgow
11 - O2 Academy, Newcastle
12 - The Rainbow Warehouse, Birmingham
14 - Junction, Cambridge
16 - Roadmender, Northampton
17 - Waterfront, Norwich

His album ‘Straight no chaser’ no just a master piece would be brilliant live, Click the link to here the fantastic ‘White Lies’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTA9i_sI8Uk

US Charts

Ke$ha spends her third week at the No.1 spot in the singles chart in America, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ singer Susan Boyle spends her sixth week in the No.1 album spot! Although it could be her last week as Ke$ha release her album this week in America.

Top 5 U.S Albums:
5: Taylor Swift – ‘Fearless’
4: Mary J.Blige – ‘Stronger with each tear’
3: Alicia Keys – ‘Element of freedom’
2: Lady Gaga – ‘The Fame’
1: Susan Boyle – ‘I dreamed a dream’

Top 5 U.S Singles:
5: Owl City – “Fireflies’
4: Jay Z & Alicia Keys – ‘Empire state of mind’
3: Iyaz – ‘Replay’
2: Lady Gaga – ‘Bad Romance’
1: Ke$ha – ‘Tik Tok’

Madonna

Madonna has reportedly secured DJ A-Trak as a producer for her next studio album.
Madonna whose last record ‘Hard Candy’ was released in 2008, is said to want an “old skool” feel to her new material.
Speaking about the direction of the record, A-Trak told a national newspaper: “It's my production, turned into song structure - halfway between rap and electronic and whatever else I listen to.”
Madonna is also expected to work with Pearl Jam producer Brendan O'Brien on the album, which is provisionally scheduled for release later this year.
A-Trak for those who haven’t heard of him has previously worked with Armand Van Helden as duo ‘Duck Sauce’, who released single ‘aNYway’ back in October

Click to listen to the great dance track ‘aNYway’ by Duck Sauce: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWM5D3MwSgA

Hole

Courtney Love has announced a one-off English date for her band ‘Hole’ on 17th February According to Courtney’s official website, the recently-relaunched group will play the ‘O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire’
The date is one of a number of Shockwaves NME Awards shows to be held during the month of February.
Tickets for the gig (their first in 11 years), go on sale on 8th January
‘Hole’ will also play the ‘Magazzini Generali’ in Milan, Italy on 19th February and the ‘Amsterdam Paradiso’ The Netherlands on 21st February
According to sorces the lineup that will play the concerts features founder member Love alongside new guitarist Micko Larkin, bassist Shawn Dailey and drummer Stu Fischer.
It’d be worth getting a ticket just to hear their global smash ‘Celebrity Skin’

Click to listen to their classic rock anthem ‘Celebrity Skin’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3dWBLoU--E

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has announced via ‘Twitter’ that her new single is called: ‘Bittersweet’.
Writing on her Twitter page, she revealed that the track will be “out early April, heading to radio early February”
Sophie has teamed up again with the fantastic dance act ‘The Freemasons’ to co-write the track (She also collaborated with The Freemasons last year on their massive hit ‘Hearbreak (Make me a dancer)’
Explaining the song's meaning, Ellis-Bextor wrote: “[It's] about when you can't resist something you know is bad for you – a guilty pleasure, like watching Celebrity Big Brother.”
She also revealed that she will shoot the single's video later this month and that she is currently in the studio “recording live strings”
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, originally was the frontwoman of brilliant indie band ‘theaudience’ until they split after thier first album back in the 90’s. So far in her solo career she has released three album and has notched up 7 UK Top.10 hits, including the global smash No.1 ‘Groovejet’ (With DJ Spiller), ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ and ‘Catch You
Click to hear her amazin’ dance classic ‘Groovejet’: http://www.muzu.tv/spiller2wynaf66wg/groovejet-if-this-aint-love-music-video/180414?country=ie

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones have squashed the rumours that they are to headline this summer's Glastonbury festival.
Despite wide spread speculation that The Rolling Stones were planning to play and set out on a world tour, they have now declared that they will not be performing any live dates in 2010.
“Following recent UK media speculation, The Rolling Stones would like to make it clear there are no plans at the moment for the band to tour in 2010,” a representative for the band told a national magazine.
This means that U2 are currently the only act confirmed for this year's event. However, organiser Emily Eavis said this week that she intends to get Dizzee Rascal for the festival

UK Charts

Joe McElderry could only manage one week at No.1 in the UK as the pop princess that is Lady Gaga goes back to the No.1 spot for a second time with ‘Bad Romance’ ... She also has the biggest selling single of 2009 in the UK wirh ‘Pokerface’ selling over 800,000 copies! (Her singles: ‘Bad Romance’ was No.17 and ‘Just Dance’ was No.3 in the biggest sellers of last year)
The fantastic ‘Sunny side up’ by Paolo Nutini rockets his album back to the No.1 spot!

Top 5 U.K. Singles:
5: Cheryl Cole & Will.i.am – ‘3 Words’
4: Ke$ha – ‘Tik Tok’
3: Black Eyed Peas – ‘Meet me halfway’
2: Joe McElderry – “The Climb”
1: Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”

Top 5 U.K. Albums:
5: The Black Eyed Peas – “The E.N.D”
4: Michael Bublé - “Crazy love”
3: Susan Boyle – “I dreamed a dream”
2: Lady Gaga – “The fame monster”
1: Paolo Nutini – ‘Sunnyside up’

Kanye West

Kanye West has revealed on his blog that he has returned to the recording studio.
Kanye has promised his fans that he will be working on his best material to date
Kanye wrote: “FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR CONSTANT LOVE AND SUPPORT OVER THESE PAST 6 YEARS! I'M SO HAPPY TO BE BACK IN THE STUDIO MAKING NEW MUSIC. I WILL BRING YOU THE BEST I HAVE TO OFFER WITH THE SAME DEDICATION THAT KOBE HAS ON THE COURT.”
It actually goes on... and on.... and on ... but i’ll save you from it! Other then his ‘little’ mishap at the VMAs his last album ‘808s &Heartbreaks’ was FANTASTIC! (and that’s coming from a not very big Kanye fan!)

If you do want to read the whole blog click: http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/

Metro Station

Miley Cyrus’s brother ‘Trace Cyrus’ who is in the band ‘Metro Station’, has decided to use a television show to boost his music career (similar to his sister, who launched her music career on the back of the success of her teen television show ‘Hanah Montana’).
His bandmate Mason has revealed that the group would like the reality series to be scripted.
Musso said: “Trace and I would love to get on a show together and be a band in a series. If it is done very well, it could work. We have been talking and we are looking at that so we will have to see...
“We thought it would be cool to show everyone what we do in Metro Station. People want to see the reality of being in a band and the life you live. Everything would be scripted because reality shows are kind of done. The cool part about it would be to have funny stories mixed up with what really happened. We have lots of stories from being on the road over the years.
“But I am no director and I will be happy to leave the storylines to the experts. There is talk and the right steps have to be made.”

First question... i’d have is why would you need a script... surely a reality TV show is exactly that ... REALITY...?
Second question... Are you freakin’ mad? Your last album ‘Metro Station’ was acually really good! Don’t do it guy’s!

Nadine Coyle

Nadine Coyle's manager Bruce Garfield has dimissed the rumours that she has failed to secure a record deal by posting a responce on my blog yesterday, where i wrote that reports claimed that the Nadine had been turned down by several record labels and had decided to focus on songwriting instead.
Her manager Bruce Garfield said this is “unresearched and misleading information”
Bruce also said “The truth is Nadine was pursued by labels from every major label group and was also given the choice of signing with any Universal label, all of whom wanted her...
Selection of a label was a very complex process and an important choice for Nadine to make. That selection has been made and the deal done.”
“That announcement will be forthcoming shortly. Plans for the release, a TV special, live shows and much more is already in the works.”
I’ll look forward to hearing and re-viewing the album... whenever it materializes (just as i did with Cheryls) ...

Ke$ha

You can have a No.1 single both in America and the UK actually in Canada, Australia & Ireland (in fact lets just say a global No.1 single) yet not earn a SINGLE DOLLAR!
Current U.S No.1 single ‘Tik Tok’ singer Ke$ha has revealed that she made no money from her No.1 collaboration with Flo Rida ‘Right round’
Ke$ha explained that she added the dollar sign to her name after failing to earn any royalties.
she said: “It was an accident I was even on the track. I didn't make any money off it, that's why I put the dollar sign in my name as a joke... But I was happy singing in bars, wearing clothes I found in garbage and surrounded by people who love me.

Just goes to show that if your tallented enough you'll reap the rewards ~ Good on ya Ke$ha!

Click to listen to the global smash 'Right Round': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yq8v9YtXCQ

Nadine Coyle

Ooops! ~ Looks like 2010 has already got off to a horrible start for ‘Girls Aloud’ star: Nadine Coyle as she’s reportedly failed to sign a record contract.
According to a national newspaper Nadine had hoped to produce solo material during the year off that Girls Aloud took.
EVEN Girls Aloud's label Polydor has allegedly turned her down, while other record companies have also refused to sign her up.“Nadine had meetings but none of the Universal labels wanted to take her on,” a source claimed. “She's tried to get a deal elsewhere but with no luck.” However, on the upside Nadine (who has been working with Guy Chambers (of Robbie Williams fame) has allegedly signed a deal with EMI for her songwriting... not exactly Cheryl Cole success huh ... good, might wipe that smug cocky smile off her face!

Amy Winehouse

The wait is almost over folks! Amy Winehouse has said that she is close to finishing her new album.
Speaking in a recent magazine Amy explained that she had made some progress on the record over the Christmas holiday period.
“I've actually written a few more songs over Christmas,” she said. “I've been at home, been to my mum's, actually been knuckling down to it really.” Back in November, Amy Winehouse's record label reportedly ordered her to stay at home to work on the album.

US Charts

Ke$ha holds onto the No.1 spot in the singles charts for a second
Susan Boyle's ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ continues it’s reign as the U.S No.1 album for a fifth week by selling 510,000 copies ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ has now sold a total of 2,982,000 copies in the U.S

Top 5 U.S. Singles:
5: Jay-Z & Alicia Key’s – “Empire State of mind”
4: Owl City “Fireflies”
3: Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
2: Iyaz – “Replay”
1: Ke$ha – “Tik Tok”

Top 5 U.S. Albums:
5: Taylor Swift – “Fearless”
4: Alicia Key’s – “The Element of freedom”
3: Andrea Bocelli – “My Christmas”
2: Mary J Blige – “Strange with each teasr”
1: Susan Boyle – “I dreamed a dream”

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone, may you all have a fantastic night, and a wonderful 2010