56 MusicWeek 27.04.12
PRODUCTRECOMMENDED ALBUM OF THE WEEK
www.musicweek.com
TRACK OF THE WEEK
AMY MACDONALD Life In A
Beautiful Light (Mercury)
She’s one of Europe’s biggest-selling singer-songwriters, and after achieving 4 million worldwide album sales, Amy Macdonald is set to return this summer with her new LP. Life In A Beautiful Light was recorded between State of the Ark
Studios in Richmond and Mayfield Studio in Surrey. It was produced by long-term collaborator and manager Pete Wilkinson and mixed by Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams). The lead single from the LP is Slow It Down which was recently
serviced to radio across Europe. Macdonald’s debut album This Is The Life charted at No.1 in
five countries and her second A Curious Thing hit the Top 10 in 10 countries across Europe. She also achieved multi-platinum-selling status with both records across the territory. This is in addition to platinum success in Australia with her
June 11
COMING SOON SANTANA Shape Shifter
(Starfaith Records) The 36th album from Carlos Santana, Shape Shifter will be the first for his new
label, Starfaith Records. It is dedicated by the artist to Native American Indians, acknowledging Australia’s 2008 apology to the Aboriginals, and President Obama’s signing of the 2009 Native American Apology Resolution. The 13-song collection includes
tracks spanning from the late nineties to present and is an instrumental feast powered by the musician’s signature guitar sound with only one track featuring vocals. Filled with mostly original
compositions that Carlos had stashed away for an instrumental project, the record transcends cultural and language barriers. Prior to the album’s release, he
begins a two-year residency at the House of Blues in Las Vegas on May 2. MAY 14
sophomore effort - also one of the top 20 best-selling albums of all time in the UK by a UK female solo artist. In addition, it was one of the Top 10 best selling albums in Europe in 2008.
May 28
MAN LIKE ME Squeeze (The Beats)
London duo Man Like Me release Squeeze as the lead track from their forthcoming Mike Skinner-produced album, which is due for release this summer. The former Streets man was originally brought in to merely mix one or two tracks but ended up working the full album and re- launching his record label The Beats (formerly home to Professor Green and Example) to release it on. Squeeze has been
described as ‘an electro-grime sex anthem for the 21st century’. It features Johnny Langer’s trademark observational lyricism and has already had early support on Radio 1 from Rob Da Bank. MLM will play a special one-
off launch show at London’s Dingwalls in May.
STAFF PICK: RHIAN JONES, EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
DAMON ALBARN Dr Dee (Parlophone) This new studio album by Damon Albarn features 18 tracks and is described by Albarn as ‘strange pastoral
folk’. It is inspired by the life of John Dee, mathematician, polymath and advisor to Elizabeth I. The album combines Albarn’s
voice with early English choral and instrumentation alongside modern, West African and Renaissance sounds. Dr Dee was recorded last year, in
part at Albarn’s West London studio and also with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Albarn recently performed songs from the record at OneFest. A related stage production, co-
created by him and Rufus Norris, was showcased to critical acclaim last year and will play at English National Opera this summer as part of the Cultural Olympiad. The album will be available in CD,
vinyl and digital download formats. MAY 7
LUTHER VANDROSS Hidden Gems (Sony CMG) The music of the late singer-songwriter, producer, arranger, and soul music legend Luther Vandross, is
celebrated in this collection. It spans the timeline of his major label recording career from 1981 to the new millennium – containing 15 seldom- heard deep album tracks and movie soundtrack songs. It was compiled and produced in
association with his family, in order to present “an album compilation with a different theme his fans might enjoy, a collection which highlights Luther’s ideas of song selection and how they complement that voice.” In the liner notes written by life-long
collaborator Fonzi Thornton, Hidden Gems is described as “a deeper dig into the musical treasure trove of Luther Vandross, uncovering lesser known songs and performances that he endowed with the same passion and love as his well-known repertoire.” APRIL 30
JAI PAUL Jasmine (demo) (XL) It comes as no surprise to discover singer-songwriter
Jai Paul has been signed to the notoriously selective XL Records. Quality over
quantity is an attitude that record company exec Richard Russell has stood by, only releasing a small number of albums each year. And he’s certainly onto something - with the success of Adele, Prodigy and The White Stripes under his belt. So despite the fact Jai Paul has
been hiding under a rock for a good chunk of two years since his first (almost as good) release BTSTU, his second single, labelled as a demo, is
well worth the wait. A chilled-out tune of minimal
production, the lyrics can barely be heard, yet (none other than) Prince- esque vocals, a melodic guitar riff and synth somehow just melt together into four minutes of bliss. The beauty of the
sound lies in the pure minimalism - this demo doesn’t need any remastering. The point of
labelling its sound in any genre is a bit pointless - Jasmine
just needs to be heard. But don’t hold your breath for the next offering, because you might be waiting a while. So turn on your surround sound,
lie back and listen. Because it’s good. Really, really good. OUT NOW
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