2016 album from the Brit Award-winner and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer. Pop legend Rick Astley showcases a more soulful sound and gospel influences on 50, marking his first studio release in almost a decade. Brit Award-winner and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer; music legend Rick Astley has left an indelible mark on pop-culture since his emergence into the limelight nearly thirty years ago. He has sold over 40 million records; had the UK's biggest selling single of 1987; is the first male solo artist to see his first eight singles reach the UK Top Ten; and in 2002, saw his "Greatest Hits" compilation album go gold.
Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of the 1988 sophomore album from the British Pop/Soul vocalist. Rick Astley followed his first album with two more Top 5 singles, 'She Wants to Dance with Me' and 'Take Me to Your Heart', both included on his second album. The title track was also a Top 10 single. This expanded edition features bonus non album tracks plus a multitude of remixes of the album's singles. The booklet features full annotation by Tom Parker as well as the singles sleeves.
Keep It Turned On is Rick Astley's fifth album, released in Germany on 3 December 2001. The album reached number 56 on the German Albums Chart. It is his first studio album since 1993's Body & Soul. Because the album was not released in the UK, "Sleeping" and "Full of You" have appeared on several of his compilation albums, as 'new' tracks.
Released a few years before the Internet phenomenon known as "Rick Rolling" and his ironic "Best Act Ever" win at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards launched him back into the music scene's consciousness, Rick Astley tested the appetite for a comeback with this collection of iconic American pop standards. Having prematurely retired at the tender age of 27, the former Stock, Aitken & Waterman protégé had already witnessed something of a minor revival thanks to 2002's double whammy of his Top 20 entry, Greatest Hits, and the European-only, Keep It Turned On, but Portrait was his first new studio album to be released in his homeland since 1993's Body & Soul.
Scottish-born singer Jimmy Somerville became a surprise success in the mid-'80s. Instead of being Duran Duran-cute, Jimmy Somerville looked like the average boy next door. Instead of belting out his musical repertoire with a self-conscious urgency to prove himself as a singer (like Rick Astley or George Michael), Somerville possessed a dramatic, piercing falsetto that made the Associates' Billy Mackenzie sound like Tom Waits. But what really made Jimmy Somerville distinctive was his openness about his sexuality. The 1980s was the decade of androgyny, with artists like Annie Lennox, Boy George, and Poison emulating the gender-bending approach of 1970s-era David Bowie. Other performers such as Morrissey and the aforementioned George Michael kept their fans guessing about their sexual orientation. Jimmy Somerville, however, already answered the "is he or isn't he" question before anyone had a chance to ask, and he did so without a trace of mascara.
In the late '80s, the Mike Stock/Matt Aitken/Pete Waterman team was as important to European dance-pop as Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte had been to Euro-disco in the late '70s. Many pop critics hated Stock/Aitken/Waterman's slick, high-gloss approach with a passion, but what critics like and what the public buys are often two different things – and the British team had the Midas touch when it came to Dead or Alive, Samantha Fox, Rick Astley, and other '80s favorites. So, for Donna Summer, working with them was a logical decision when, in 1989, she made a temporary return to a Euro-dance-pop setting.
CORVUS from England play cool AOR/melodic rock but with a slightly different twist than most of the usual suspects from Sweden which is nice. Finest music for lovers of TEN, CATS IN SPACE, VEGA or WIGELIUS. Frontman Ciaran James offers a phenomenal and unique voice reminicent of RICK ASTLEY to a certain degree. A few pop elements in some of the songs add a pleasant flavor. A new version of the title track of the debut "Chasing Miracles" (2015) and a formerly digital only Christmas single make up the two bonus cuts. The second album of the five-piece will definitely arouse massive attention.
Atack’s founder member and lead guitarist Keith Atack has a long pedigree in the rock music scene. He grew up during the sixties and was influenced from an early age by bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and then on to Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore. He has also toured with many pop acts like Bonnie Tyler, Rick Astley and many others. He has a rock / funk / soul style as well as a jazz and blues influence. He is joined by band members that also have strong roots in the rock scene such as Bob Richards on drums who has rubbed shoulders with members of bands like Iron Maiden, Survivor, Asia and Shy.
Always is the third album by British singer Hazell Dean. Released in 1988, it coincided with the singer's comeback and featured the hit singles "Who's Leaving Who" (UK #4), "Maybe (We Should Call it a Day)" (UK #15) and "Turn It into Love" (UK #21). Also included were remixes of earlier singles "They Say It's Gonna Rain", "Walk in My Shoes", "No Fool (For Love)" and "Always Doesn't Mean Forever". The album itself reached No.38 - her highest placing in the album charts. The album was also released in the US in 1988 with an alternative cover. On 23 April 2012, a remastered deluxe double edition with bonus tracks remixes and previous outstanding singles has been released on the Cherry Pop UK label.