New Music: JACOB BANKS - Coward (Acoustic)

It didn't make it on to his 'Monologue' EP but JACOB BANKS has just released this live performance video of one of his most requested and popular tracks.

See our review and details of his EP here

New Music: ALEXIS JORDAN featuring J. COLE - Acid Rain

First new music from ALEX JORDAN's forthcoming second album. The brand new dance track is written by current hit machine SIA and is produced by STARGATE.

'Acid Rain' also features a rap from Roc Nation label mate J.COLE 

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Caught Live: SOLANGE KNOWLES at XOYO, London. 16th Jan 2013

Last night saw the return to London's music stage for the first time in nearly 4 years of Miss SOLANGE KNOWLES.

Often overshadowed, both musically and personally, by her big sister (who, for the 3 people reading this that don't already know, goes by the name of BEYONCÉ) it can often seem as though she has a point to prove.

However on the strength of this performance, she really has no need to worry.

With much more of a free reign with her musical style and without the constraints of a major record company to hold her back, THIS Knowles is free to explore a variety of different musical directions, which is clearly displayed on her new EP 'True' which she was in town to promote. Often this leads to a much more interesting sound which she was able to showcase here.

In the intimate surroundings of East London's XOYO, SOLANGE appeared on stage for the first of two shows in front of a sell out crowd to the chugging beat of 'Some Things Never Seem To F****** Work', looking resplendent in a matching floral patterned trouser suit & shirt.

She proceeded to showcase other track from the EP, with the help of it's co-producer, co-writer, co-vocalist and guitarist DEV HYNES, but also took time to take it back with some of her past work from her last full album 'SoL-AngeL and the Hadley Street Dreams' (including the singles 'T.O.N.Y' & crowd pleaser 'Sandcastle Disco') and one track from her 2003 debut 'Solo Star', the Pharrell produced 'Crush', asking the audience 'who has been following me since I was 15??'

 

The band, whom she admitted were only playing their 4th ever gig together, were tight and the perfect accompaniment to SOLANGE's epic vocal performance and perfect tone. She also showed she had a few moves which she displayed on some of the uptempo cuts (see 'Locked In Closets' below).

She also threw in an unusual cover in the form of, what she described as, one of her favourite songs, a version of late latin superstar SELENA's 'I Could Fall In Love'.

There was also an opportunity for an exclusive debut, the full length version of one of the True's shorter tracks 'Look Good With Trouble'

The hour long set was wrapped up with a energetic performance of the EP's lead track and dancefloor favourite 'Losing You'

SOLANGE may never reach the levels of fame that her sister has achieved but if this means that she continues to have the freedom to produce intelligent and interesting soulful music of this quality and enjoy performing it as much as it appears she does on the evidence of this show, then perhaps this is can only be a good thing.

Full set list:

Some Things...
Don't Let Me Down
T.O.N.Y
Lovers In Parking
Bad Girls
I Could Fall In Love
Crush
Look Good
Locked In Closets
Cosmic Journey
Losing You
Sandcastle Disco

Cover: LEAH MCFALL - Suit & Tie

Only a few days since making it's first appearance, Irish vocalist LEAH MCFALL takes on a cover of JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE's first track in 6 years, 'Shirt & Tie'

Ably assisted on guitar by Jon Hockings on guitar and BeatFox on beatbox duites, the Belfast born singer proves more than capable of matching (and at times improving on) the original vocal.

Check it out here...

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Cover Versions: ALEXANDRA BURKE

ALEXANDRA BURKE shows completely different styles on these recently performed cover versions.

The first is her take on Paul McCartney & Wings 1973 Bond theme 'Live And Let Die'. The track was recorded at the request of Simon Cowell and has been used as the judges entrance music on the most recent series of the US 'X Factor'

ALEXANDRA also lends her vocals to this version on CHIP's 'Londoner', the lead track from his recent 'London Boy' Mixtape. 

And while were at it, here's a topical reminder of ALEXANDRA's Children In Need one-off performance in Les Misérables from last year, belting out the classic 'On My Own'

All songs highlight the X Factor winner's ability to tackle a variety of genres, we wait to see which (if any) are a clue as to expect from her upcoming third album.

Keep up to date with what ALEX is up to at www.alexandraburkeofficial.com

Live Video: PAUL WELLER & EMELI SANDE-People Get Ready

Official footage has just been released of this incredible duet filmed at Hammersmith Apollo last December.

PAUL WELLER headlined the special Christmas gig for homeless charity CRISIS and was joined on stage one of his support acts, a certain Miss EMELI SANDÉ to perform a unique version of The Impressions soul classic 'People Get Ready' 

For more on Crisis visit www.crisis.org.uk

Cover: ELLA MARIE - When I Was Your Man (Bruno Mars)

ELLA MARIE puts her unique spin and style on this stunning BRUNO MARS cover.

Check it out below

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