A major release which came ALMOST "unannounced" (true to the "secretive" nature of the artist) - from one of the most successful female artists on Blue-Box in the Noughties: Sweden's SOPHIE ZELMANI!



Her brand new album "Memory Loves You" has just been released, and is getting rave reviews! It's said to be slightly "lighter" than last album "Love Affair" and is already #2 in Sweden! First single "Travelling" is really taking off on radio on the Blue Islands (and should be coming to a Blue-Box Chart near you soon!)

I'm in shock...! This is 'Logical Love' by SANDRA - one of the B-sides of her new single 'The Way I Am'... and I love it! This song won't be on the new album though... how can they not put it on?! It's quite different, and daring - I love her new sound and the chances she's taking...!

This album could really be something... as reported earlier, the new BELINDA CARLISLE French album 'Voila' will see the light very soon, and this "trailer" makes me all the more excited about it...

So it's 2007... and already we're anticipating releases by some big names...!
(Most of these were originally planned for last year).
First in line is the brand new SANDRA album 'The Art Of Love' - to be released February 16th (see earlier post on this for more information).



The album apparently boasts a new sound for her, and the first single 'The Way I Am' is already getting a release on 26 January... listened to the clip on her site - sounds promising!

BELINDA CARLISLE finally releases her long-awaited new album - 'Voila!' - on February 8th... a mix of French chanson and modern pop songs, this is definitely also a change for her.

Also eagerly anticipated is the brand new SHAKIN' STEVENS album - 'Now Listen' - expected in February/March...

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS has also been busy with his new album for quite a long time, and is said to be quite excited about it - he has said he looks forward to its release and promotion on tour... though no title or release date has been set yet, this should see a release in 2007 and we're expecting a lot from this one!

Introducing... FRESHLYGROUND!

Freshlyground formed in 2002, and is made up of seven talented and diverse musicians from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Fronted by the diminutive but dynamic Zolani Mahola, the band creates an infectious folk-afro-fusion musical blend with a laid-back yet undeniably groovy sound.



Freshlyground launched their debut album, 'Jika Jika' in 2003, the success of which firmly cemented the band as one of South Africa's most successful young acts.

They released their second album 'Nomvula' in South Africa in 2004, and this release - which sees them only going from strength to strength - has just been released on the Blue Islands as well. Following the success of first #1 single "I'd Like", the album has already topped the Blue-Box chart as well. Another song - the catchy "Doo Be Doo" (already a huge hit in South Africa) has already entered the Top 10 based on airplay alone...



Freshlyground have a busy year ahead of them for 2006: a national tour of South Africa in May, a UK tour in July, followed by Germany and Belgium in August. The band are then heading home to record their 3rd album in Johannesburg. They plan to release the new album in November 2006. Currently the album 'Nomvula' is double platinum in South Africa, and there is increased interest from Europe and the US: Freshlyground hope to secure an international release before the end of the year.

What an exciting, "fresh" new sound!
(Check out their official site: www.freshlyground.com for more info).