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Lauryn Hill Indigo2 Concert 14th April 2012 Review

Queuing for hours after a long journey to watch Ms Hill in London for the first time in God knows how many years!

Before she even came on her acapella backstage was on point! I haven’t heard her vocals live sound so clean in so many years! The performances I’d seen of her on Youtube sounded as if her voice had gone and was very weak, but it is obvious with the right rest and training she had come back in full swing! When she sang I Get Out the whole crowd went up in uproar, no-one knew what she was going to do next but we all just paid attention! 

Then when we finally saw her come on stage with her dress and mini afro the whole crowd just went on a madness and she started singing Killing Me Softly and everyone started vybzing! 

Song after song, tune after tune from Everything is Everything to To Zion and Lost Ones Ms Hill just killed it with everything she got! All the bad press she has received over the years have all been killed with that one whole act! 

Every classic from her The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was brought to the stage with a new twist; new backing track, new sound, new flare nothing was the same but changed to make the scene alive! 

One thing about the concert that upset me was that she didn’t do ant tracks from her Unplugged album, only a snippet! However she did promise that she will be back to London soon to perform that album *prays and fasts for that day*. Also she promised that she will be releasing some new songs in the near future.

People speculated as to whether she actually will, but it clear and present that she was in new spirits in her life, so hopefully it was something that was possible to happen in the near future.

I was very happy I went to this concert, seeing and hearing Ms Hill in the flesh was something I’ve always wanted to do and when I saw the opportunity I couldn’t miss out! People who didn’t go….meh you missed!

Ratings: 4/5

Hot New Artist

Jermaine Riley

British R&B singer Jermaine Riley has come into the new year ready to take the music scene with his own unique sound, style and creativity. 

Previously a member of UK R&B band FDM, Jermaine has decided to take the solo path to show what talent he can produce by himself. His unique tone and sound mixed together with his good look and great moves, Jermaine is ready to show the world what a force he can be.

Despite the setbacks in his career it seems like this will be it for Jermaine, where the music scene can sit up and see his work come through. He has released a few free mixtapes in recent months and some videos to go along side them aswell. Above is his latest song and video, mixed with retro yet current look and a unique sound of R&B, Soul, Funk and contemporary sound!

Support great and good music, here is the link to his free mixtape!

http://jermaineriley.bandcamp.com/album/nine-ten-eleven-the-refixes

Watch-Out Wednesday

Spector

Spector are a new 5 piece Indie/Pop band from East London starting out strong in 2011 and planning on continuing in 2012. They pushed forward by gaining recognition by the BBC Sound of 2012 and gaining a spot on the list and hopefully with support and fans they’ll make a movement in this new year.

Their sound is not placed in one box, mixing with Indie, Electronic, Pop and more area. They’ve started touring by themselves as well as supporting acts for Florence & the Machines. With tracks such as Never Fade Away, What You Wanted and Grey Shirt & Tie they’ve started themselves up for good success. 

Throwback of the Day

Lily Allen- Smile

Lily Allen’s début single ‘Smile’ was released in March 2006 from her début album ‘Alright, Still’, giving Lily her 1st No.1 single of many in the UK and great European reviews. 

This song to me was an amazing song at the time, very original, creative and very British! She had this way of singing that was very London but still a great sound was produced. She had this very indie sound with a twist of pop to give it the play on the radio and to pull in more fans into the genre! It was a great set up for her future career in music helping her get the great reviews she has collected till today.

The video was creative and humorous making Lily look the most evil girlfriend ever! For a first single she showed great potential and knowledge on what she wanted.

Also a massive congratulations to Lily Allen and her husband on their 1st child together! :)

Forthcoming Album

Amy Winehouse- Hidden Treasures 

The iconic late Soul Singer Amy Winehouse’s posthumous tracklist was released this week, showing a the tracks that she had recorded throughout her career from the start with  ‘Our Day Will Come’ to a song recorded this year ‘Body & Soul’ with Tony Bennett.

I have heard alot of Amy songs that weren’t put on the album but on her B-Side mixtape and they were amazing, but it will be good to hear songs that haven’t been released when she was just a baby in the industry.

The album wiill be released on the 5th December and I will definitely be buying this album!

Finally got the pics!

Day out in LDN with my people! LoL

Been a while since we’ve all been out since leaving school! Jokes continued as if we didn’t go anywhere!

University Gospel Choir of the Year

University of West of England Gospel Choir- With Long Life

After months of practise, workshops, rehearsals and lessons UWE Gospel Choir went onto the competition stage to have fun, enjoy the experience and do our best.

Deep down we weren’t sure how we’ll do because we are a majority of older people among youthful students, so we thought we’ll do our best. With Long Life has a reggae feel to it with some traditional Gospel grooves and a new feel to it. Something different compared to other Gospel choir on the night.

We put our all into the performance not fully caring what the result will be but that we’ll take this experience to help develop ourself. Not knowing that we’ll be 1st Runner up!! :D

We were so happy and overwhelmed by the reception of the audience and the results from the judges and grateful for the love and support.

Here is one of our two performances! Do enjoy! 

Hot New Track of the Day

Katy B- Easy Please Me

Loving this track a lot! The Dupstep/Garage/Urban vibes throughout the tune with Katy’s vocals, all really complement each other really well!

Her style and motive is so original that she deserves the success that she has earned! I love how she has blended the club/rave tunes with her vocals to bring back 2000s Garage into 2011!! Just what I love!

She’s had great success over the past year and I hope she gains more!