Frances is still currently starring in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s re-imagining of 70′s musical ‘Pippin’, portraying the role of Fastrada in the magnificently brilliant show that features the songs of Stephen Schwartz and the original choreography of Bob Fosse. ‘Pippin’ has been met with rave reviews since opening in November 2011 and has been a big giant hit with all that have witnessed the truly remarkable production… the staging, visual effects and choreography are phenomenal. The show feels really special when you watch it, there is such quality of conviction in the way in which has been created and put together unsurprisingly Frances shines so very magnificently in her role – it is a uniquely wonderful show and you really MUST go and see it before it closes on 25th February.

Here, you can listen to Frances and co-star Harry Hepple discuss the show and their subsequent roles with Penny Smith for the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show, broadcast in December 2011.

Tickets for the remaining few weeks of ‘Pippin’ are available directly from the Menier Chocolate Factory’s website by clicking here.

On Sunday 12th February 2012, Frances revives her completely astounding one woman show ‘Beneath The Dress’ for a one night only performance at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Originally conceived and performed in 2009 at Madame JoJo’s, Frances took the hugely successful and triumphant show to Edinburgh Festival in 2010, as well as the Bath Music Festival and the Marlborough Jazz Festival in 2011.

The show has something for everyone, it is a joyously funny, sexy and seductive piece, tongue firmly in cheek throughout and performed with the warmth, grace and passion that only Frances can deliver. Backed by her six piece band, ‘Beneath The Dress’ really is a STUNNIGLY glorious piece of work that you simply MUST experience, enjoy and savour.

More information and tickets are available from the venue website here.

Finally, in December, an EP was released of songs that were work-shopped for a musical entitled ‘Change The Day’ written by Tricia Walsh-Smith and Simon Kay. Frances appears on two of the three tracks ‘Sellin’ My Soul’ and ‘Behind The Veil’ – you can download the tracks from iTunes (UK) here and Amazon (UK) here.

Also, don’t forget that Frances’ sublime catalogue of music is now available digitally! The albums ‘Fragile’, ‘Frances Ruffelle’, ’Showgirl’, ‘Imperfectly Me’ and ‘Purify’ by paTala (a side project created with Sam Boner) can be bought from iTunes and all other good online music retailers. For more information visit Frances’ official website here.

Go on, have a listen to the full seven minute version of ‘LoveStoned/I Think She Knows’ over at we7 in all it’s glory… it’s an absolute masterpiece – the way in which the track moves from the main ‘LoveStoned’ into the ‘I Think She Knows’ interlude is magnificent – it’s a stunningly gorgeous example of how the album is cleverly structured and consistently delivered.

It’s an absolute travesty that we’ve had to live without new music from Justin for FIVE years – it’s mindblowingly devastating in fact! It’s all very great oogling him in his films (which are really rather good too) but really, it’s ALL about the music!

Here are some people who articulate how we all feel about the situtaion much more entertainingly… we owe them a HUGE debt of thanks and gratitude for exposing this truly important and pressing issue – Justin Timberlake, Make Music Again…

Nerina truly has a gorgeously emphatic way with words and ‘Turn Me On Again’ sees her playfully musing about sex, the flirty unknown stage before the actual reality is uncovered. The track is a feel good, hazy high summer soaked gem with an irresistible catchy hook that demands nothing less than an enthusiastic sing-a-long.

The video is equally as beautiful, shot on a sunny day in July… with Nerina wearing a very pretty frock whilst driving a 1962 convertible Daimler Dart along the country roads of East Sussex – nice!

‘Turn Me On Again’ is available as an EP and can be downloaded from iTunes by clicking here - any self respecting Nerina fan should invest in the EP as it features two brand new tracks: ‘Life After 25′, which is marvellously therapeutic and exactly what everyone over 25 needs to hear… “Cause I know what it’s like; I know the way it feels” – no sentiment within a song has ever felt truer. Whilst, the other track is a fantastically impressive cover of‘Forever Young’ by Bob Dylan- both are must haves!

Nerina is set to tour in October, dates and venues include…

Sunday 2nd October – Oran Mor, Glasgow

Tuesday 4th October – Academy 2, Manchester

Wednesday 5th October – Academy 2, Birmingham

Thursday 6th October – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London

DO NOT MISS OUT… tickets are on-sale now and are close to selling out. Get them from Live Nation and all other ticket outlets.

Any aspiring musicians who would like the chance to support Nerina during her show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire can win the opportunity to open the show! To do so, submit a cover of ‘Turn Me On Again’ by 16th September… full details are available at Nerina’s YouTube channel here. 

The rather splendid thing about Rod is the way in which he tells a tale, weaving his thoughtful and unique perspectives throughout his music together with his refreshingly honest and poetic musings, which create a heady mix of heartfelt melodies and sentiments which envelope the listener with each listen.

On the surface, ‘Disco Moment’ sounds like a simple feel good track, until repeated listens reveal a rare truth and universal beauty, which is what makes Rod’s music so satisfying, the way in which the euphoric and anthemic feel to the music is almost eclipsed by the devastating and heartbreaking narrative of the lyric.

‘Disco Moment’ plays out as a pre-break-up anthem, with lyrics with encompass the desperation of clinging on and the painful acknowledgement that is is the end “you make it so hard to be around, it’s no surprise that cracks are showing”. The vocal is completely gorgeous as with all of Rod’s work, tender, emotive and knowing…  showing that he is one of the finest and most fascinating male popstars of the past 10 years.

‘Disco Moment’ is available to download now from all good digital retailers including iTunes and Amazon. The full EP with remixes and a b-side will be released on 19th September.

The track has also spawned a magnificent t-shirt with the lyric ‘You Make It So Hard’ emblazoned across the front – you can see it and order one by clicking here.

The album as a whole is really rather splendid. It feels and sounds like a proper album containing a cohesive collection of songs that explore similar themes and ideas whilst transporting you on a magical twelve step journey. The tracks work so well because they are woven together with intriguing lyrical ideas and concepts that are united with fantastic production.

The album’s title track and opening number ‘Adulthood’ is a gloriously sparse bass and piano drive track that asks the overarching question of the album, “is this really it?”. The fact that it is a Tobias Fröberg co-write, also happens to make it a little bit more irresistible as well.

Other highlight’s on the album includes the fantastically brilliant ‘Hold On To Your Misery’, which is still a massive sounding number full of unusual but realistic wisdom “what more am I owed but certain death, it seems there’s nothing more and there’s nothing less”. The track also has a cracking video – watch it here.

The forthcoming single ‘Yellow’ is a big giant pop song complete with rousing chorus. The song has a wonderfully melancholic lyric and tone which is in stark contrast to the bright upbeat sound… it’s pop perfection! Another slice of stunningly great pop is served in the shape of ‘Distractions’, which is a Shaznay Lewis co-write and Future Cut production. The track could easily be a tale of angst, pity and regret but the instead the maturity and cleverness within the lyric helps to show a refreshing way of considering the troubles relationships can face… “one roof – 2 separate truths and a multitude of other issues”.

‘Asthma Attack’ is the current single and is a terrific ode to the wonderful city of London. Once again the lyric lifts and elevates it to become more than a song about a city… “just like adolesence – nothing makes sense, nothing stays the same – when all my feelings change, day-by-day”.

The video is also rather ace too…

We had this track blasting on the stereo the other day, when a relatively well known national radio presenter walked in and asked “is this The Corrs?”… what a f*cking dick!!!

Anyway, ‘The Hoarder’ is utterly sublime, the lyric of the chorus “scared of change but afraid to stay the same” gets us everytime. As well as the bridge “the past makes you what you are, so i’ll wear it like a battle scar, save it like pennies in a money jar, let go of what you used to know”. Universal truths on a pop record – practically unheard of BUT the world needs more of this!!!

‘Adulthood’ is a stunning debut album, we’ve listened to it in FULL from start to finish at least once every day since Monday, which is practically unheard of! It’s an instant album that gets better with the more time you dedicate to it… PLUS it helps if you really listen to what is on offer. Without sounding like a bunch of twats, the album has actually helped us to feel optimistic again. It has lifted and brightened these recent days and we are therefore thankful to Anita for allowing us to share her thoughts about her journey to adulthood.

The album is also rather great because the album booklet contains lyrics and some rather excellent photography PLUS a picture of Anita with Mr Motivator!!!

A digital deluxe edition of the album featuring three bonus tracks and the three video’s is available from iTunes here. You can also buy a copy of the album at HMV, Amazon or Play by clicking on the store name. It is also available from all other good record stores too!

Our love affair began in 1995 when Jo Wiley played ‘Flavour Of The Old School’ on her Radio 1 show… we can still remember the time, place and the feelings evoked upon hearing THAT voice for the very first time… since that point, Beverley has provided the most AMAZING soundtrack to our formative years and still manages to inspire, shape and influence our lives for the better.

Beverley Knight is without any shadow of doubt, THE finest, most brilliant singer that the UK has ever uncovered. Even after sixteen years, Beverley remains one of the most respected voices within music by critics, her peers, fans and to some extent non-fans… you will be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t have a nice thing to say about her or enjoy at least one of her records! Not only a hugely talented singer, she is also a gifted songwriter with an impressive ability to write a catchy, emotive, memorable hook, her back catalogue is rich with unbelievable quality. Beverley has a superb ear for collaborations as well, working with the likes of Jools Holland, Roni Size and Courtney Pine to name a few PLUS she also created some really fantastic b-sides… even more reason to love her!

Beverley is a grafter… even after sixteen years, she still has the tenacity and spirit of a young upstart… she isn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty by doing the clubs to promote her music showing that she doesn’t rest on her laurels and constantly tries to showcase her music to as many people as she can, no matter how much hard work that involves. The live stage is where Beverley really comes to life, giving intensely electrifying, heartfelt and mesmerising performances – you absolutely MUST see her live at least once in your lifetime – we guarantee it will revolutionise your life!

Often simply branded an R&B, soul singer, Beverley is undoubtedly, so much more than that. She has bucked the trend and curse often plagued by ‘UK soul divas’ and retained a successful career through genre shifting and has never allowed herself to be pigeon holed. She is the leader of her craft and is a role model to those UK artists seeking a credible, sustainable career.

There are so many more elements to Beverley Knight than performer and entertainer, she is a great supporter and an outspoken crusader for many charities AND is even a Mastermind champion!

In short, Beverley Knight is an INCREDIBLE woman…

On 4th July, Beverley will release ‘Soul UK’, her seventh studio album. The record is selection of cover versions of songs that shaped Beverley’s own musical journey. The thirteen song selections aren’t necessarily obvious choices and Beverley has instead opted for tracks that are personal to her. The lead single from the album is a storming rendition of Junior’s ‘Mama Used To Say’, which will be released on 27th June.

Tracks by artists such as George Michael, Jamiroquai, Soul II Soul, Princess, Jaki Graham, Roachford, Heatwave, Freeez, Omar, Loose Ends, Young Disciples and Lewis Taylor are given the special Beverley treatment.

Beverley recently performed the album live, which was recorded for a DVD and which will be made available with the album. In the video below, you can see some of the original performers and composers of the tracks discussing Beverley’s interpretations, it also features elements of Beverley’s live performances and is a real taster of what to expect on the DVD…

You can find out more about the album by visiting Beverley’s newly revamped website by clicking here.

You can pre-order the CD/DVD from Amazon and HMV (click on store name). A digital deluxe edition will be avilable from iTunes, which includes five live audio tracks. You can pre-order and preview thirty second samples of the tracks at iTunes here.

Beverley has announced details of her ‘Soul UK Tour’, which hits the road in November. Tickets are on-sale from today (27th May). Dates and venues include…

Monday 14th November 2011 - Liverpool Philharmonic
Tuesday 15th November 2011 - Leamington Spa Assembly
Wednesday 16th November 2011 – London Royal Albert Hall
Friday 18th November 2011 - York Barbican
Saturday 19th November 2011 - Preston Guildhall
Sunday 20th November 2011 - Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Tuesday 22nd November 2011 – Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Wednesday 23rd November 2011 – Nottingham Royal Centre
Thursday 24th November 2011 – Salisbury City Hall
Saturday 26th November 2011 - Gateshead Sage
Sunday 27th November 2011 - Bristol Colston Hall

As a result, we also LOVE live albums. As kids, we would record our cassette collection onto blank cassettes and scream in between the songs to make it sound like a live album – oh dear, how tragic!

Moving on… last month the extremely incredible Eliza Doolittle completed her biggest UK tour to date selling out venues across the country including a stop at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire here in London. The 2,000 people venue dwarfing the 350 capacity venue of her previous date around the corner at Bush Hall six months previous.

Eliza is such a brilliant and likable live performer (despite what Popjustice claims – grrrr!) and as a result, we’ve seen Eliza live ten times since 2009. The latest tour was her most spectacular yet… this time around the show boasted a brightly coloured set, greater production values, backing vocalists and a keyboard player!

During the tour, two shows (one in Manchester and the other in London) were recorded and have been made available to buy. The image below shows the cover (it’s a scan from the digipak so apols for the pixelated quality)…

One of the most striking things about Eliza is her astonishing voice which soars magnificently across the seventeen tracks on offer on this recording. Her choice of cover versions is always a treat – for this tour, she played a jazzy, lounge style rendition of ‘Grenade’ by Bruno Mars and a brilliantly unexpected cover of ‘Runaway’ by Kanye West. She also includes a gorgeous interpolation of ‘Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers during her own ‘Back To Front’.

Other musical standout moments include stunning versions of ‘Missing’ and ‘Rollerblades’.

You can always tell the measure of a good entertainer by their in between song banter and it’s a joy to hear Eliza’s chats during songs. Highlights include being genuinely thankful to the audience, her love for London and not wanting the audience to think she’s a drug addict due to having had a blood test!

The whole package is a must have for all fans as it captures the joy and excitement of seeing Eliza live perfectly!

You can listen to previews of the songs, order a CD or download the show from either Manchester Academy 2 on 30th March 2011 or from Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Saturday 9th April by visiting Eliza’s live store by clicking here.

In other news, on Wednesday May 18th at 7:30pm (BST) you can watch Eliza perform live for The Carphone Warehouse on their Facebook page – more info by clicking here.

The record is utterly superb. Jennifer has crafted an album that is personal and one that is cohesive and well executed. Jennifer is ultimately in command on this album and she stamps her authority, power and presence across each of the twelve big giant empowering anthems.

Jennifer has worked with the likes of Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, Ryan Tedder and R. Kelly on the album and the stellar line-up propel Jennifer to another stratosphere following her impressive debut – the songs are rich in emotion and the messages they convey are full of truth and beauty.

The absolute highlight on the album is the title track and lead single here in the UK, ‘I Remember Me’. In the first instance, the concept and lyrics were conceived by Jennifer, who was reflecting about the many lives she had lead, in turn, the meaning of the lyrics will certainly help many people in their lives. Ryan Tedder’s production is hugely epic sounding and Jennifer’s vocals are phenomenal.

In the video below, Jennifer delivers a heartfelt live rendition for AOL Music Sessions (American Idol fans, look out for series three contestant George Huff on backing vocals).

To see other live performances of album tracks from the AOL session click here.

Other tracks worthy of note include ‘I Got This’, which is another upbeat, anthemic tale of never giving up “every single breath, another step on my road”. The StarGate production is glorious…

Elsewhere, tracks such as ‘No One Gonna Love You’, ‘Angel’, ‘Everybody Needs Love’ and ‘Don’t Look Down’ are ferociously upbeat, feel good throwbacks to the of sound of classic soul albums of yesteryear whilst remaining bang up-to-date at the same time – each track is addictive and truly infectiously memorable! The R. Kelly penned ‘Where You At’ is his finest work for some years and Jennifer delivers vocally – sublime!

Oddly, tracks ten, eleven and twelve are covers version but Jennifer manages to make them her own and if you hadn’t heard ‘Still Here’ or ‘Believe’ by the original artists, you’d never know anyway! Jennifer’s rendition of ‘Feeling Good’ sounds fantastically grand.

The deluxe edition features the very fantastic ‘What You Think’ alongside ‘Love Is Your Color’, which is a stunning duet with Leona Lewis, originally featured on the soundtrack for ‘Sex And The City 2′.

‘I Remember Me’ is a stunningly superb album, each song is magnificent and Jennifer herself arrives the otherside as an ever brighter, more formidable superstar! In short, it’s a definite must have album!

You can listen to the album in full on the RCA SoundCloud page by clicking here.