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UK release April 1^st 2013

www.nkotb.com

New Kids On The Block announce the release of their new album ‘10’, their sixth studio album and the first since The Block which was released on September 2, 2008 and debuted at number 1 pop album on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and peaked at number 16 in the UK.

Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood announced the new record when they appeared on US TV show The View on January 22^nd. After legions of fans crashed RyanSeacrest.com for a first listen on January 25^th, New Kids On The Block released the album’s lead single ‘Remix (I Like The)’ exclusively on iTunes worldwide. NKOTB add to their arsenal with this thumping, guitar infused, sure to be smash single that's already rising on the iTunes Top 20! 

Official lyric video:

‘10’ - album track listing:

We Own Tonight 

Remix (I Like The)

Take My Breath Away

Wasted On You

Fighting Gravity

Miss You More

The Whisper

Jealous (Blue)

Crash

Back To Life

Now Or Never

Survive You 

NKOTB also announced on The View that they will be touring North America this summer with special guests Boys II Men and 98 Degrees.  After revealing the exciting news about ‘The Package Tour’, the three multi-platinum-selling groups set out on a day long media blitz stopping by outlets like Access Hollywood, CNN, E!, ET, EXTRA, OMG! Insider, VH1 Big Morning Buzz, US Weekly and Rolling Stone. The tour will play to sold out arenas across North America. Social media has been a buzz ever since the official reveal with no signs of slowing down and #REMIXNKOTB was a trending topic worldwide around this premiere, reaching as high as #2, and #1 in the US.

In 2011 the Boston pop icons joined the Backstreet Boys as part of the historic NKOTBSB Tour which included seven sold out UK arena shows.  New Kids On The Block have sold more than 80 million albums worldwide -- including back-to-back international #1 songs, 1988’s Hangin’ Tough and 1990’s Step By Step -- and a series of crossover smash R&B, pop hits like “You Got It (The Right Stuff),”  “Cover Girl,” “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” “Hangin’ Tough,” “I’ll Be Loving You,” “Step By Step” and “Tonight.”  The group shattered concert box office records playing an estimated 200 concerts a year, in sold out stadiums throughout the world.  They still hold many of these records to date.  

There have been some classic albums re-released this year by Universal and they show no signs of slowing down with their reissue of The Jam’s utterly brilliant UK number one record The Gift. Originally released in March 1982 and to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the mod revival bands sixth and final album before their untimely split a super-deluxe box set as well as a two-CD Deluxe Edition version was released on 19^th November 2012.  

The Jam arrived on the music scene in 1977 and quickly became at the forefront of the mod revival movement, known for their melodic pop songs, image as well as their distinctive English roots and until their split in 1982 drew upon a variety of stylistic influences including 1960s beat music, soul, rhythm and blues, psychedelic rock, as well as 1970s punk and new wave. The Gift marked the departure from the classic Jam sound to a more Northern Soul-influenced style as well as politically inspired lyrics that give you a glimpse of its time and what life like was like in Britain during the early 80s, not only do you sense the state of the society in which they lived but where music was going. An album with plenty of funk, peppered with jazz influences and a different style to previous Jam music it was not only an album that deserved its top spot but one that led to the split and the forming of The Style Council by Paul Weller. From the great lyrical masterpieces such as Just Who Is The 5 O’clock Hero?, the timeless chart hit, Town Called Malice, with its motown style bassline, a gritty  tale telling us of the reality of dealing with the hardships of life in a small, downtrodden English town, to the post punk sound of Happy Together as well as Precious with its great Sax solo and Everything 80s favourite Carnation a song that is just genius, this is an album that just doesn’t get old with time. A powerful album that Weller describes as “I was very proud of it – I thought it was another advance on what we’d done before”, maybe he was ensuring that their last album should also be their finest. 

The phenomenal 4 disc box set includes 3 CDs: A re-mastered version of the original album along with Singles & B-Sides, disc two is full of demos and alternate tracks whereas disc 3 is a complete previously unreleased live recording of the band’s final tour at Wembley on Dec 3^rd 1982 containing 23 top tunes, the fourth disc is a DVD compilation featuring live performances along with TV promo footage as well as their Top of The Pops appearance from February 18th 1982 where they performed their top hit Town Called Malice and had the honour of performing its double A-side, Precious at the same time, the only other band to be bestowed with this honour being the Beatles! Not only do you get these incredible discs but also a hardback 72-page, full colour book, gathering memorabilia from the era and the fan’s, magazine cuttings, reviews, photos,  new interviews with Paul Weller and producer Peter Wilson, as well as a set of postcard prints, and a replica 1982 tour programme. Phewf there is definitely plenty to whet the fans appetite!  

Overall whether you are going for the mega box set or just the deluxe 2 disc version you are in for a treat. A great re-issue of a classic album with enough extras and unreleased material to not only please long term fans but also a new generation.

You can get yours over at Amazon:

2 CD Deluxe Version

Super Deluxe Edition

Or Visit the : Universal Music Box Set Store 

The Jam – The Gift: 30 ^th anniversary ( ‘The Gift and beyond…’)

‘Gift-box’ ‘super-deluxe’ Edition Contents:

• Four discs, in individual wallets: Disc 1 – original album re-mastered, Disc 2 – bonus tracks, Disc 3 – Live at Wembley December 1982, Disc 4 – DVD compilation
• Outer box in original striped bag style cover – ‘The Jam – A Gift’!
• Hardback 72-page, full-colour book – including period and fan’s memorabilia, magazine cuttings (NME etc.), reviews, photos, new interviews (with Paul Weller and producer Peter Wilson)  
• Foreword by Paul Weller and new essay by John Harris
• Set of postcard prints
• Replica 1982  tour programme
•  

Also available as:

• 2-disc deluxe digi-pak format
• Deluxe digital version
• Limited Edition 10” Vinyl of Danish TV Concert recorded 23/4/82

Super-deluxe Box Set Tracklisting:

Disc One - Original album / Singles & B-Sides

1. Happy Together

2. Ghosts

3. Precious

4. Just Who Is The 5 O’clock Hero

5. “Trans-Global Express”

6. Running On The Spot

7. Circus

8. The Planner’s Dream Goes Wrong

9. Carnation

10. Town Called Malice

11. The Gift

12. Precious (12”)

13. The Great Depression

14. The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had To Swallow)

15. Pity Poor Alfie / Fever

16. Pity Poor Alfie (swing version)

17. Beat Surrender

18. Shopping

19. Move On Up

20. Stoned Out Of My Mind

21. War

Disc Two – Demos & Alternate Tracks

1.  Skirt (demo) #

2.  Get Yourself Together (demo) Originally released on ‘Extras’

3.  Ghosts (instrumental demo) #

4.  Just Who Is The 5 O’clock Hero (demo) #

5.  Running On The Spot (demo) #

6.  The Planner’s Dream Goes Wrong (demo) #

7.  Carnation (instrumental demo) #

8.   Precious (demo)  Originally released on ‘Direction, Reaction, Creation’

9.   The Bitterest Pill (demo) #

10.  Alfie (demo ‘2’) #

11.  We’ve Only Started (‘old version’) #

12.  Only Started (instrumental demo) #

13.  Shopping (AKA ‘Paul’s demo’) #

14.  Beat Surrender (demo) #

15.  Solid Bond In Your Heart (demo) #          

# Previously unreleased

Disc Three - Live at Wembley (Dec. 3rd 1982)

1. Start!

2. It’s Too Bad

3. Beat Surrender

4. Away From The Numbers

5. Ghosts

6. In The Crowd

7. Boy About Town

8. So Sad About Us

9. All Mod Cons

10. To Be Someone

11. Smithers-Jones

12. That’s Entertainment

13. The Great Depression

14. Precious

15. Move On Up

16. Circus

17. Down In The Tube Station At Midnight

18. David Watts

19. Mr Clean

20. Town Called Malice

21. But I’m Different Now

22. “Trans-Global Express”

23. In The City

Disc 4 – DVD

Part 1 – Trans-Global Unity Express

Live video from Birmingham March 1982

Part 2 – The promo videos

1. Town Called Malice

2. Precious

3. The Bitterest Pill

Part 3 - Danish TV special

The Jam play songs from the Gift album. Recorded live in Studio 3, TV-Byen, Copenhagen April 19 1982, broadcast April 23 1982.

1.    Running On The Spot

2.    Circus

3.    Happy Together

4    Ghosts

5.    In The Crowd

6.    Town Called Malice

7.    Pity Poor Alfie / Fever

8.    Precious

9.    Just Who Is The 5 O’clock Hero

10.  The Gift

11.  Move On Up

12.  Trans-Global Express

Part 4 – Top Of The Pops

Recorded February 18 1982

1. Precious

2. Town Called Malice

Blues Legends' Classic Live Album Reissued With previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks and DVD Footage!

Originally formed in South London in 1977 and calling themselves Stan's Blues Band these highly talented musicians worked hard for 2 years building up a loyal following in London Clubs, finally in 1979 after getting a manager they changed their name to Nine Below Zero and the rest as they say is history.

In 1980 this R&B band released their first album the critically acclaimed Live at the Marquee which attracted a lot more attention and generated a wider audience. This album is a classic, a great documentation of a traditional hard working touring blues cover band playing top tunes as well as original tracks, a band that appealed to the masses with their energetic, raw and powerful performances

Universal Music have now reissued this outstanding up-tempo record which captures the electrifying atmosphere at this celebrated concert. Featuring Dennis Greaves (guitar & vocals), Mark Feltham (harmonica & vocals), Peter Clark (bass & vocals) and Mickey (Stix) Burkley, the show was originally only released as a 14-track 12” vinyl LP, and didn't include the 7 bonus tracks featured here as “The Encore” which have never been available on CD before, making this the first time that the entire show has been made commercially available. In addition, all 21 tracks have been newly re-mastered in partnership with the band. The package also includes a very special bonus DVD featuring live footage from the concert, all of which has never been commercially released before. The album’s accompanying booklet includes sleeve notes from various band members and others associated with Nine Below Zero, as well as a selection of exclusive rare photographs. 

 

Overall this album is simply brilliant, a classic, featuring an intense and enthusiastic blues set, with hints of rock as well as a slight punk vibe. With covers ranging from the explosive opening track Tore Down to the bouncing rendition of I Can’t Quit You Baby (originally by Willie Dixon) as well as countless other superb versions of great blues tracks, including: I Can't Help Myself, Can I Get A Witness, Hootchie Cootchie Coo and the superb Got My Mojo Working along with a few originals such as the fantastically gritty Stop Your Naggin’.

 

An exceptional British R&B album, I don’t mean the type of R&B you get nowadays but true hardcore rhythm and blues, this album offers us boundless energy, great musicianship, fun, along with UK accent vocals from a skilled and outrageously talented band. In no way has this dated and the DVD footage is great to watch and only highlights how wonderful the CD is as it captured the gigs essence perfectly. A flawless selection of head shaking, floor filling, waist twisting tunes, the only downside is that I wasn’t at the concert but this is definitely the next best thing and I highly recommend that you give Live at the Marquee a listen. 

Disc One CD: Track listing:

1. Tore Down 
2. Straighten Her Out 
3. Homework 
4. I Can't Help Myself 
5. Can I Get A Witness 
6. Ridin' On The L&N 
7. I Can't Quit You Baby 
8. Stop You Naggin' 
9. Hootchie Cootchie Coo 
10. Wooly Bully 
11. Got My Mojo Working 
12. Pack Fair & Square 
13. Watch Yourself 
14. Swing Job

"The Encore"

1. Rocket 88
2. (Just A) Little Bit
3. Twenty Yards Behind
4. Stormy Monday
5. Is That You
6. Keep on Knocking
7. Madison Blues

You can get your copy at Amazon. For up to date information about Nine Below Zero and to check upcoming tour dates then visit www.ninebelowzero.com

80s teen idol Nik Kershaw first appeared on the music scene back on 1984 when his single "Wouldn't It Be Good," hit number five in the U.K.  A series of hit singles followed including the re-release of “I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" in the summer of 1984 which charted at number two. Nik firmly established himself as a fine musician, excellent singer, a talented songwriter and actually spent 50 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1984 beating all other soloists!

After taking a 9 year break throughout the 90s to pen songs for other successful artists. He finally returned to recording his own songs in 1998 continuing to release his own albums ever since and on 6^th August 2012 will release his eighth studio album aptly titled ‘EI8HT’; his first studio album since ‘You’ve Got To Laugh’ in 2006.

This new album is an outstanding collection of diverse songs and sounds, a melodic and poetic journey from the track ‘Runaway’; a beautiful lyrical masterpiece, one that tugs at your heart strings to the more rocky sounding ‘You’re The Best’ with a chorus that certainly sticks in your head, it will take you on a rollercoaster ride as you try and determine its genre (hint: DON’T TRY). A creative achievement with the firm stamp of the ‘Nik Kershaw’ sound throughout.

This well-crafted body of work will have you hooked from the very first lines in ‘These Tears’, a record that delivers intellectual pop songs with catchy choruses to soulful and more emotionally charged tunes as well as giving us some stunning vocals, strong rhythm’s, a few 80s synth pop beats and fantastic guitar riffs.

The first single off the album will be ‘The Sky’s The Limit’ which is definitely a grower, a beautiful song that inspires and shows why Nik is such a master of his craft.  

FAVOURITE TRACKS OFF ALBUM:

Red Strand: A piano driven introduction with an almost Celtic melody throughout. A lyrical work of art with an ethereal beauty about it, one that may bring a tear or two.

The Bell: A soft sounding melody that lifts you to a higher level along with a haunting chorus that can’t be ignored. Lyrics that strike a chord.

VERDICT: A brilliant, intelligent album from Nik Kershaw and one that deserves to be a huge hit. A truthful voice that sings from the heart, something that shines through on every song. A mature album and all the better for it.

Pre Order your copy at Amazon and visit www.nikkershaw.net for further information. You can even follow the man himself on twitter @nikkershaw

Be sure to check out Everything80s interview with Nik Kershaw here, where you can find out more about his inspiration, tour dates and what it felt like to be an 80s teen idol.