Bluey Robinson | SoulSide Funk

Song of the Week: Showgirl by Bluey Robinson

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Rob

This. Is. A. Great. Record.

That is all that needs to be said really. I love its carefree nature. The way it dares you dance and have a little fun with it. I love the retro feel. I love the beautiful chicks in the video. This is just such a good record.

The thing I love most, is its authenticity. This song, despite being pure R&B pop, has such a neo-soul vibe it could just as easily been pulled from Musiq’s new album. Really really looking forward to the album.

The song gets its offical release on May 29th, so get out and iTunes and support great British music!

Rob

Ps. Thought I may as well link to the acoustic version too

Filed under: Song of the Week, Songs | Tagged: Bluey Robinson, Music, New Music, Pop, R&B, Showgirl, songs | Leave a Comment »

One’s to watch in 2010: The Re-Cap

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Rob

About this time last year, like every other music blog out there, I posted a list of artists I thought would have a good year in 2010. Well, what better time than now to follow-up and see how they did in the surreal world they call the music industry.

Some had stellar years, others practically disappeared… so here, the ones to watch in review

Andreya Triana – I knew she wouldn’t become a household name, and I think she would never have expected to. I still think 2010 was a pretty good year for Ms. Triana, in which she spent a large part touring with Bonobo. She released her debut album, Lost Where I Belong, rather quietly in August.

Big Sean – “…I wish that I could take you off tour, put you in the studio so you focus more on my sh*t”, Big Sean muses to Kayne West on his Say What’s Real freestyle. In reality, the only thing Kanye did when he came off tour was head in to the studio to focus on his own sh*t. From all the promise and potential Big Sean has all he has managed to muster in 2010 was a couple of mixtapes and features; nothing earth-shattering. Think he really needs to put the effort in during 2011.

Bluey Robinson – Bluey was particularly hard working in 2010. Two spots at Wireless Festival and supporting Tinie Tempah on his UK tour were amongst the highlights (still maintaining in a stellar live show). Bluey does still seem to be waiting for the game changing break. Finger’s crossed it’ll come during 2011, and as I’ve mentioned before, once he has that… he may just take over the world, one song at a time.

Eliza Doolittle – Don’t really need to say much about how great 2011 was for Ms. Doolittle; her debut album went Platinum and reached No. 3 in the UK album charts. Her single Pack Up got serious rotation and peaked at No. 5 (going Gold). She’s currently trying to crack America (guess we’ll be seeing her back in London Town soon then J)

Marina & the Diamonds – Marina had a somewhat mixed year. It started great; she seemed to be everywhere and on every TV show imaginable. She even managed to pick up the Best UK & Irish Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Then it all went a little quiet. In 2010, none of her singles cracked the Top 10 (indeed her most recent release Shampain peak at 141). Her debut, The Family Jewels, was well received by critics and went Gold.

Mike Posner – Mike Posner was seemingly going to do absolutely nothing in the UK during 2010… then towards the end of another British excuse for a summer, a remix of Cooler Than Me appeared on the radio. Before long the song seemed to be staple on music TV and it charted at No. 5. Yeah, I think the single version is massively inferior to the original… but hey, what do I know!

Rox – Rox, one of my favourite new artists in 2009, had a great 2010, however not so great in the UK. Despite getting a lot of support from the UK music press (NME included) she struggled to connect with the public and radio playlists. Her lead single “My Baby Left Me” reached 91 in the UK charts and her debut album, Memoirs, could only muster No. 97. However, the world is a big place and Rox scored massive success in continental Europe; Memoirs reached No. 2 in France and No. 11 in Italy. You go girl!

So that’s my re-cap on last year… 2011 soon to follow!

Soulside Funk

Filed under: My Thoughts | Tagged: album chart, andreya triana, Big Sean, Bluey Robinson, Marina & The Diamonds, Mike Posner, Music, My Thoughts, Rox, singles chart, UK | Leave a Comment »

My Thoughts… Ones to look for in 2010

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Rob

If you are a regular to this site, (most of) the names on the list should be fairly familiar. These are few people who I think should have massive years in 2010.

Andreya Triana

Lost Where I Belong is such a f***ing awesome record that I have a feeling, for me, Andreya Triana will be one of the artists to really make 2010. She may not sell truck loads of records and she may not get the radio play she deserves, however everyone who looks up Ms. Triana in 2010 will be musically blessed (no pressure on the album then! lol).

Big Sean

Signed to Kanye West’s Good Music Big Sean is set to have a massive 2010 (even though he really should have blown in 2009) and he will be the years Kid Cudi or Drake. He too is part of the uber-cool wave of US rappers that weren’t raised in the ghetto so have new things (well kinda new…) to talk about.

Bluey Robinson

If… and this is a big if… If Bluey Robinson gets airplay from Radio 1 on a primetime show he will spread like wildfire. And probably take over the world! If not, he will probably remain one the UK Urban scenes best kept secrets. If you like R&B add him to your must see live list because the shows are fun (even if just to people watch) and the music comes alive.

Eliza Doolittle

One little trend I see coming next year is a resurgence of the folk sound, it being re-imagined with indie/pop overtones. Of all the people delivering this kind of music, Eliza Doolittle is the pick of the bunch. She recently released the imaginatively titled, Eliza Doolittle EP, and it showcases her quirky song-writing and swing-along, honest beats. Oh, and it looks like she likes the colour yellow… a win on all levels.

I Haunt Wizards

If this band blow in 2010 it will be a victory of myspace. They have a ridiculous online following for their electro-disco pop and have been quietly causing quite a scene in 2009. They should have a great a 2010, especially giggin’ wise and if one of their records gets picked up by a big DJ I predict massive things (btw – their recent remix to Arcade Eden’s Black Light was pretty darn good).

MArina Marina & the Diamonds

A long term favourite of ours is set to have a massive year. She has quietly been amassing a significant following as 2009 progressed and managed to impress more than a few people on the recent NME Radar Tour. She is due an album in 2010 so expect Ms. Marina’s hard-edged quirky indie pop to become plastered in your face sometime soon.

Mike Posner

Mr. Posner graced 2009 with two of the best mixtapes of the year on the scene. If ya not familiar with him, think a singing Asher Roth. He brings to the table tales about college and girls that are devilishly funny. Album is out at some point in 2010 and with it this dude should blow.

Mpho Mpho

Another favourite from this website was set to have a massive 2010, however uncertainties about the release date of her album (which is being continually pushed back) have cast a grey cloud over what should be a fantastic year. Despite the Remi Nicole-esque lead single the rest of her music is fantastic. Lively, passionate and cheeky. Of all the people listed here I want her doubly to succeed because she seems like a lovely person too!

Rox Rox

Rox should be blowing up right about… … now!!! Seriously, this girl has gone from strength to strength as 2009 has progressed. She is now a regular on BBC radio (even getting chummy with Dermott). Her music is fantastic, and her live show even better. This is UK Neo-Soul music that can easily compete and surpass the US competition. Fingers crossed the album will demonstrate that in the way her live shows already do.

Soulside Funk

Filed under: My Thoughts | Tagged: 2010, andreya triana, Big Sean, Bluey Robinson, Eliza Dooliettle, I Haunt Wizards, Marina & The Diamonds, Mike Posner, Mpho, New Music, ones to watch 2010, Rox | Leave a Comment »

Waxin’ Lyrical on… Bluey Robinson

Posted on September 20, 2009 by Rob

Wax Lyrical - 2009.20.09 - Bluey Robinson

Bluey Robinson is seemingly superhuman, an uncontrollable force of nature. OK, this may be a little extreme however if you ever get the opportunity to experience the Bluey Robinson show you will completely understand.

Bluey Robinson is an up-and-coming R&B/Pop singer who has all the thrust and verve of a superstar in making. From London and New York (having spent his youth between the two cities) he honed his singing talents busking on streets and tube stations. His style is comparable to the current brand of R&B crooners; Ne-yo, J Holiday, etc. and has some very catchy tunes.

The Bluey Robinson show is a lot more than the music, and watching it all unfold is a spectacle in itself. First there’s the entourage, I counted two cameramen, at least one photographer (with a separate guy holding the flash), his dad and about three serious looking dudes on mobile phones the whole show. This created an air of importance around him.

Second there’s his fan base, an eclectic mix of ‘Heads’ and girls done up as if they were going to Movida. Seriously, I have never seen that many high-heels and so much red lipstick at a gig. This served to create a sense of expectation; how can he serve both crowds?

Then thirdly there is the response, girls almost fainting (I was fully expecting some pants to be thrown on stage), people singing every word… random “brrrraappps!” Which made for a surreal vibe.

Bluey Robinson is the kind of act JLS wish they were. He already has a large fan base (four chicks even travelled from Hastings for the 25 min set), and puts on a colourful and exciting show. Yes the whole experience is squarely targeted at 16-year-old girls, however with the talent he posses there is something everyone else too. With his American swagger and British charm Bluey Robinson is a name you’re going to become familiar with.

Soulside Funk

Myspace Page – http://www.myspace.com/blueyrobinson