New Sade and Jay-Z

Sade is not usually one for collaborations but she has enlisted  Brooklyn's finest Jay Z to remix "The Moon and the Sky" for the upcoming "Ultimate Collection", due out on 9th of May.

The track first appeared on Sades 2010 "Soldier of Love" album and has been remixed by Hov for the upcoming greatest hits collection.

Having already turned down collobos with Jay and Drake in the past, this is a welcomed change in direction for the songstress.

The new production on the track updates it with a more intense hip hop edge but Sade's signature smokey vocals complement it beautifully.  And a nice reflective verse from Jay Z brings the two genres together effortlessly.

Check it out here:

Emeli Sandé 'Kill the Boy' Acoustic

And so the unhealthy obession continues.......Check out this live acoustic performance by Ms Emeli Sandé, one of the most exciting new talents in the UK.  Having already featured on several hit singles (Diamond Rings, Never be your woman, Kids that love to dance), this soulful songstress is certain to be a star in her own right.  Her debut album CANNOT come quick enough.  That said, I'm glad it's not being rushed simply to capitalise on her success with Chipmunk and Wiley.

Watch her acoustic performance of 'Kill the Boy' below and love it:

Sunday Songs

On a Sunday (the only day I seem to have any free time) I like to dig out some music I might not listen to regularly and reignite my appreciation for it.  So I thought i'd share some of my Sunday highlights.

This unreleased Solange track titled "wanna go back" features Marsha Ambrosius (of Floetry) and Q-Tip.   With Solange's airy voice and soulful melodies this is definitely one of her best efforts.  Still bemused as to why it didn't make her last album.  That said, it makes me excited for what the new album might hold in store.

I have a secret penchant for Nigerian hip hop music and this man here is my favourite.  A friend introduced me to M.I. a few years ago and I was so impressed by his flow and sick metaphors.  His flow is a cross between Lil Wayne and Kanye West and his word play is ridiculous.

Remember Kano?  He seems to have got lost in this UK grime resurgance but Kano was one of the first to experience mainstream chart success in the genre.  As Chipmunk, Tinie Tempah and Wretch 32 take over the UK scene, don't forget this man.  "London Town" is one of my favourites from his spectacular second album of the same name.

The Brits

Despite the fact that viewing figures for the Brits seem to have plummeted in recent years, this years show wasn't half bad.

Okay, so James Corden should never present a live show EVER AGAIN.  And Labrinth should not go to the bog when he wins an award (with Tinie Tempah), but the rest of the show had much to offer.

The night was, of course, all about Tinie Tempah who had four nominations.  He managed to get his hands on Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single for 'Pass Out' and perfomed a medley of his biggest hits over the last year.

Other big winners included Rihanna, Laura marling, Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons and Jessie J.

She may not have been nominated BUT the real winner of the night was Adele.  She opened the show with the beautiful 'Someone Like You' armed only with a piano and mic. The 'Rolling in the Deep' songstress stole the show with her raw talent and recieved a standing ovation.  Opening any big show with a ballad is difficult but Adeles ability to capture any audience made it look so effortless.

Check out the stunning performance below:

Gig review:Emli Sandé at King Tuts

On Monday night I went to see Emeli Sandé perform at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow. Those of you who know me will be aware that have I been obsessing over Emeli's talent since I stumbled across her myspace page a couple of years ago.

Finally I was going to see her live and its safe to say my expectations were pretty high.

We arrived bright and early at 8pm expecting a prompt start. Bad move, as it turned out she wouldn't be on stage until 10.30 pm – on a school night? I began hyperventilating at the thought of not getting my eight hours.

Almost three hours and several bottles of beer later, Ms Sandé finally took to the stage. Opening with the infectious and slightly aggressive 'Kill the Boy', she captured the crowd instantly. My heavy eyes perked up and I was ready to enjoy the show.

With a voice as powerful as some the greatest divas of our time, I found myself in awe of her talent. At only 23 she has the composure and vocal ability that would put seasoned veterans to the test.

She sings with so much conviction that you believe every word. When she asks to 'stop the clock' in a song that takes issue with the lack of time the modern woman has to spend with her significant other, you begin wishing for time to come to a standstill. Or when she sounds deflated because 'her babys got a suitcase' and is leaving, you too feel sad that it has come to this. Each of her songs tell a different story and for three of four minutes you become immersed in those stories.

Closing with what is rumoured to be her first single 'Daddy', the crowd become excited and begin to sing along. She thanks the crowd and exits the stage to a rapturous applause and some rogue hecklers requesting songs that she didn't perform.

After chants of 'one more tune' from the crowd, the surprisingly timid seeming Sandé, returned to the stage with her keyboard player to perform 'clown' as the encore. And it was during this performance that she cemented herself in what I like to call, my musical heart. Stripped back vocals and no special sound effects (like the voice-echo effects she had been using throughout the show), the performance was simply stunning. Powerful vocals counter balanced with the soft vulnerability of the song, this was definitely worth keeping me out late on a school night.

With her soulful charm, well written songs and ability to capture the audience, this diva certainly has the whole package.

Spotlight: Melanie Fiona

Canadian soul songstress, Melanie Fiona released her phenomenal debut album 'The Bridge' in 2009.  Although the album was well received by critics, it didn't do so well in the charts.
The Toronto born singer's music transcends generations and musical boundaries.  A little bit of 60's inspired motown, some contemporary jazz and soulful ballads make her eclectic without being directionless.
She takes me back to the 90's, before RnB was kidnapped by the pop market and diluted down for mass consumption.
 
Kanye West and Quest Love are among her fans.  Yeezy even invited the singer to join him on his 'Glow in the Dark' tour for which she received rave reviews.

She makes strong, soulful, empowering RnB music which is rare in an increasingly generic market.
Fiona is currently recording her new album "The MF Life" but here is one of my personal favourites from her last album, the finger snapping Jacko-esque 'Johnny':