FKA Twigs to release 'LP1' in August

June 10, 2014 9:09

London-based singer will release debut album on August 11 via Young Turks

FKA Twigs will release her debut album in August, it has been confirmed.

'LP1' will follow the similarly titled FKA Twigs releases, 'EP1' and 'EP2' and will be released on August 11 via Young Turks (The xx, SBTRKT). A live show in London will precede the release. See below for details.

The album artwork was created by Jesse Kanda and can be seen above while a full tracklist is below. The album consists entirely of new and unreleased material while the artwork was created by Kanda by manipulating photographs of the British singer, real name Tahliah Barnett. Kanda has previously directed FKA Twigs videos for 'Water Me' and 'How's That.'

'LP1' tracklist:

'Preface'
'Lights On'
'Two Weeks'
'Hours'
'Pendulum'
'Video Girl'
'Numbers'
'Closer'
'Give Up'
'Kicks'

On June 25 FKA Twigs will play her second ever London show when she headlines The ICA.

To check the availability of FKA Twigs tickets and get all the latest listings, head to NME.COM/tickets.

Please login to add your comment.

View the original article here

The Flaming Lips reveal release date for 'Sgt. Pepper's...' tribute album

May 18, 2014 14:44

'With a Little Help From My Fwends' will come out on October 28

The Flaming Lips' remake of The Beatles' album 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' is set for release on October 28.

The band's tribute album, entitled 'With a Little Help From My Fwends', features the band's version of 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds' which sees guest appearances from Miley Cyrus and Moby.

In addition the band have recruited artists including MGMT and Tame Impala for the project, and Cyrus also features on 'A Day In The Life'. Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips previously hinted that frontman Wayne Coyne is contacting Phantogram and Foxygen to contribute to the album.

'With a Little Help From My Fwends' will be the latest record in The Flaming Lips' project of covering classic albums in full, having previously covered The Stone Roses' debut album as well as King Crimson's 'In The Court Of The Crimson King'.

Miley Cyrus was recently joined by Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips for a performance of 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' by in Manchester. The singer's 'Bangerz' tour arrived at the Phones 4 U Arena on May 14 and she was joined by Coyne and Drozd for a rendition of the song. Pitchfork reports that the performance was recorded for use in the Billboard Music Awards, which will take place tonight (May 18) in Las Vegas. Coyne and Drozd also recently joined Cyrus during her gig at LA's Staples Center for a rendition of their classic song 'Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Pt 1'.

Cyrus recently said that she has been writing songs for the follow-up to her 'Bangerz' album with Coyne and Drozd, praising their ability to "change keys on a whim".

Please login to add your comment.

View the original article here

James to release first album in six years next month

May 18, 2014 12:01

'La Petite Mort' will be supported by a to-be-announced arena tour

James are set to release their first album in six years next month.

'La Petite Mort' is set for release on June 2 and was produced by Max Dingel (The Killers, Muse). It follows the band's 10th studio album 'Hey Ma', which was released in 2008, and 2010's EPs 'The Night Before' and 'The Morning After'. 'La Petite Mort' was written by the band's frontman Tim Booth after the deaths of his mother and best friend. See the album's artwork above.

The album will feature the single 'Moving On' and 'Frozen Britain', both of which can be heard below. The record will be released by BMG Chrysalis and Cooking Vinyl. It will be supported by a sold out Summer in the City gig at Manchester's Castlefield Bowl on July 11 with special guests Starsailor, and a set at Camp Bestival on August 1. The band are also due to announce a UK arena tour.

To check the availability of James tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0844 858 6765

Please login to add your comment.

View the original article here

Michael Jackson scores 10th UK Number One album with posthumous release

May 18, 2014 18:53

The Black Keys make do with Number Two in Official Albums Chart for 'Turn Blue'

Michael Jackson has scored his 10th Official Albums Chart Number One album this evening (May 18) with posthumous release 'Xscape'.

The album includes eight unreleased songs worked on by contemporary artists and producers, including Timbaland and Stargate. The album is the project of executive producer LA Reid, who was granted unlimited access to four decades' worth of Jackson's vocal material.

Close behind, The Black Keys have had their highest ever charting UK album with 'Turn Blue' in at Number Two. Other new entries in the Top 40 include Foxes' debut album 'Glorious', which is in at Number Five and Blondie's 'Blondie 4(0)-Ever' collection - which is a greatest hits and their new album 'Ghosts Of Download' combined - at Number 16. Swans have had their highest charting UK album with 'To Be Kind' at Number 38.

Meanwhile, in the Official Singles Chart, Rita Ora has taken the Number One spot with 'I Will Never Let You Down', her fourth chart topping track. "I've just found out I'm Number One with 'I Will Never Let You Down' and it's amazing!" said the singer. "It's crazy that it's the fourth one! I'm honoured. As you can see, I have no words! I can't believe it… I'm just so happy that my fans are so supportive because this is a special, personal song for me." The track was written by Ora's boyfriend Calvin Harris, and is the ninth Number One that the producer and DJ has been involved with. Ora added: "He's had such an incredible career in his own right. It was such a clear, easy song to do. There was nobody else involved other than me and Calvin. It all happened really naturally."

Eurovision Song Contest winner, Austrian drag act Conchita Wurst had this week's second highest new entry, with 'Rise Like A Phoenix' coming at Number 17.

Please login to add your comment.

View the original article here

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks to release their own 'Cinnamon and Lesbians' flavour ice cream

December 19, 2013 17:00

The special scoop marks the release of the band's new album

Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks will release a special ice cream named after their track 'Cinnamon and Lesbians'.

The band are churning the frozen treat to mark the release of their new album 'Wig Out At Jagbags' on January 7. It will be served at Momofuku Milk Bar in one of their New York City locations for a limited time, according to Consequence of Sound.

'Wig Out At Jagbags' is the follow-up to 2011's 'Mirror Traffic' and will be released on January 6, 2014. The band will play four UK dates next year (2014), starting at Leeds Brudenell on January 13, followed by Glasgow Oran Mor on January 14, Manchester Gorilla on January 15 and London Forum on January 16.

Speaking about the album previously, Malkmus commented: "'Wig Out At Jagbags' is inspired by Cologne, Germany, Mark Von Schlegel, Rosemarie Trockel, Von Sparr and Jan Lankisch, Can and Gas; Stephen Malkums imagined Weezer/Chili Peppers, Sic Alps, UVA in the late 80s, NYRB, Aroma Charlottenburg, inactivity, jamming, indie guys trying to sound Memphis, Flipper, Pete Townshend, Pavement, The Joggers, the NBA and home life in the 2010s."

The 'Wig Out At Jagbags' tracklisting is:

'Planetary Motion'
'The Janitor Revealed'
'Lariat'
'Houston Heels'
'Shibboleth'
'J Smoov'
'Rumble At The Rainbo'
'Chartjunk'
'Independence Street'
'Scattegories'
'Cinnamon & Lesbians'
'Surreal Teenagers'

Please login to add your comment.

View the original article here

Jay Z to release his own men's fragrance 'Gold Jay Z'

November 2, 2013 15:14

Rapper's debut scent contains a 'a layered blend of yellow ginger, white cardamom and grapefruit with a hint of blueberry'

Jay-Z is to release his own men's fragrance later this month (November).

Titled 'Gold Jay Z', the rapper's debut scent is a collaboration with Ilias Ermenidis of Firmenich, the world's second-largest perfume company. It will be available in leading US department stores from November 29.

"I was impressed with Jay Z's style and confidence and was drawn to the ease with which he carries himself and all of his success," Ermenidis said in a press release. "He has a natural cool that people want a piece of. In developing 'Gold Jay Z', I wanted to capture both the vibrant ambitious part of Jay Z's charismatic persona and his effortless style that he naturally embodies through a fusion of notes chosen by Jay Z."

'Gold Jay Z', which will cost between $39 (£24) and $79 (£49) depending on size of bottle, is described as follows: "Inspired by an icon, the white fougere fragrance is perfected through a layered blend of yellow ginger, white cardamom, and grapefruit with a hint of blueberry. At the heart, a refined infusion of violet leaf, cypress, lavender, and luxurious vetiver with a thread of pink pepper gives a tailored, modern signature. A rich note crafted with golden amber, patchouli, teak, and bourbon vanilla give a final shot of gilded sensuality."

Meanwhile, Jay Z has recently released a statement defending another of his business ventures, a collaboration with US department store Barneys, which is currently embroiled in a race row. Barneys is one of several US retailers accused of profiling black shoppers who say they were detained by police after buying luxury items.

This Christmas, the store is due to sell items by designers inspired by Jay Z with the proceeds going to his charity. He is also working with the store to create its holiday window display. His statement says he is "not making a dime" from the collaboration.

View the original article here

Rolling Stones release back catalogue on iTunes

Mick Jagger (2nd L) performs with Ronnie Wood (rear L-R), Keith Richards and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones at a concert during the band's ''50 and Counting'' tour in Chicago May 28, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/John Gress

LONDON | Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:39pm EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - The Rolling Stones released a career-spanning digitally re-mastered back catalogue on Apple Inc's iTunes Store on Wednesday as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.

The new iTunes release chronicles the British group's entire oeuvre, from their introductory 1963 cover of Chuck Berry's "Come On" to last year's Greatest Hits collection "GRRR!", their record label Universal Music said on Wednesday.

The Rolling Stones - Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts - emerged alongside the Beatles in the early 1960s.

They became one of the most successful groups in rock and roll history with hits such as "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Sympathy for the Devil".

The new releases have been re-mastered exclusively for iTunes and will feature all the band's classic studio albums as well as live albums and compilations.

In addition, the complete catalogue is available in two parts on iTunes, spanning the periods 1963-1971 and 1971-2013.

The Stones kicked off their biggest tour in six years in Los Angeles last month after a sell-out mini-tour of Europe and the United States last year.

The veteran rockers are also set to headline Britain's biggest musical festival, Glastonbury, for the first time on June 29, and perform in London's Hyde Park for the first time since a tribute concert to founder member and guitarist Brian Jones 44 years ago, two days after his death.

"It seems like yesterday," Richards told the BBC in April. "It's going to be a great summer, man ... All the gigs we haven't done or wanted to redo are popping up."

They last went on the road for their "A Bigger Bang" tour from 2005 to 2007, playing 144 shows around the world and grossing more than $550 million, one of the world's most lucrative rock tours.

The Stones have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide and toured 40 times, mostly across Europe and North America in the 1960s and 1970s.

Live performances have emerged as the major money earner in the music business as record sales go digital, with growing numbers of veteran acts returning to the stage and attracting well-heeled, ageing fans willing to pay high ticket prices.

(Reporting by Paul Casciato; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

View the original article here

Aerosmith Sets August Release Date For Long-Awaited Album

by Jason Lipshutz, N.Y.  |   May 24, 2012 1:15 EDT

As Steven Tyler's second season at the judges table on "American Idol" ends, the singer's other gig as the leader of Aerosmith gets back underway. After the veteran rock group performed a new single, "Legendary Child," on the "Idol" finale on Wednesday (May 23), Aerosmith announced that its new album, "Music From Another Dimension," will finally hit stores on Aug. 28.

The making of the group's follow-up to 2004's "Honkin' on Bobo" has been anything but easy: Tyler entered rehab in late 2009, and the rest of Aerosmith was rumored to be looking for a replacement singer. The singer rejoined the group for a tour in 2010, but after Tyler signed on to "American Idol" that August, the new album was put on hold until last summer, when the group reunited with producer Jack Douglas after Tyler's first "Idol" season wrapped.

'American Idol' Finale Recap: Phillip Takes The Crown

"This record is different from the recent past, say the last 20 years, where everybody is getting in the studio and throwing down their songs," guitarist Joe Perry told Billboard in March, when the album was being finalized. "Some of the songs are completed and some are just riffs. This record is a lot more band-written stuff than there has been in the recent past."

The release of "Music From Another Dimension" will follow Aerosmith's Global Warming tour, which was announced earlier this year and kicks off June 16 in Minneapolis. While the album was being mixed this spring, Aerosmith rehearsed 25 songs -- including two or three new tracks -- for the tour.

Here is the track list to "Music From Another Dimension":

1. What Could Have Been Love
2. Beautiful
3. Street Jesus
4. Legendary Child
5. Oh Yeah
6. We All Fall Down
7. Another Last Goodbye
8. Out Go the Lights
9. Love Three Times a Day
10. Closer
11. Shakey Ground
12. Love a Lot
13. Freedom Fighter
14. Up on the Mountain

View the original article here

Seizures delay Rick Ross album release (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Island Def Jam has pushed back the release of Rick Ross' upcoming album, "God Forgives, I Don't" due in part to the rapper's recent seizures, according to Billboard.

The album was due to come out December 13, but an Island Def Jam rep told Billboard it will now street in the first or second quarter of 2012.

Ross suffered a pair of seizures in mid-October, the first one coming on a flight to Memphis that ended in an emergency landing. Ross tried to make the flight again later in the day, only to suffer another seizure.

That led to a few canceled appearances and missed opportunities while Ross looked after his well-being.

Ross has already released a single, "You the Boss," featuring Nicki Minaj.

View the original article here

Seizures delay Rick Ross album release

Rick Ross performs ''I'm On One'' at the 2011 BET Awards in Los Angeles, June 26, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

By Lucas Shaw

Thu Nov 17, 2011 9:01pm EST

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Island Def Jam has pushed back the release of Rick Ross' upcoming album, "God Forgives, I Don't" due in part to the rapper's recent seizures, according to Billboard.

The album was due to come out December 13, but an Island Def Jam rep told Billboard it will now street in the first or second quarter of 2012.

Ross suffered a pair of seizures in mid-October, the first one coming on a flight to Memphis that ended in an emergency landing. Ross tried to make the flight again later in the day, only to suffer another seizure.

That led to a few canceled appearances and missed opportunities while Ross looked after his well-being.

Ross has already released a single, "You the Boss," featuring Nicki Minaj.

View the original article here

Singer, poet Leonard Cohen to release new album (Reuters)

MADRID, Oct 19 – Renowned Canadian singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen said Wednesday he had recorded his first new album since 2004 and would release it next year.

Cohen told journalists in the northern Spanish town of Oviedo, where he had travelled to collect Spain's top award for authors who do not write in Spanish, that "Old Ideas" consisted of ten previously unpublished tracks.

"I've played it for a few people, and they seem to like it," the 77-year-old said in his trademark gravelly voice.

"God willing," Cohen said when asked if he planned to go on tour again. "I never quite know whether there's going to be a tour or not."

The writer and singer of "Suzanne," "Hallelujah," "Chelsea Hotel No. 2" and other hits apologized for cancelling a concert in Valencia in 2009 after he fainted, and said he would be delighted to appear in the eastern city again.

Cohen won the Principe de Asturias Prize for literature in June. Past winners include German Nobel Laureate Guenther Grass and U.S. playwright Arthur Miller.

The Montreal native also spoke of his deep admiration for Spanish culture and said he had named his daughter Lorca, after Federico Garcia Lorca, Spain's most famous 20th century poet, who was summarily shot by supporters of a military uprising in 1936 which started the Spanish Civil War.

Cohen first read Lorca when he was a teen-ager.

"He was the first poet that invited me to live in his world," Cohen said.

"His landscape was extremely familiar to me. It was a landscape that was very close to silence, a landscape that arose out of the struggle with silence, which I myself was struggling with at the time."

The writer said he still found writing hard work.

"You know, when you're writing, you're always an absolute beginner. Each time you take up your guitar or sit by a blank page, you start from scratch. It's a struggle."

The Asturias Foundation awards eight prizes every year for fields ranging from science to the arts. Winners get 50,000 euros ($69,000) and a statue by Catalan artist Joan Miro.

(Reporting by Jaime Ortiz; Writing by Martin Roberts; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

View the original article here

T-Pain sets December release for new album (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – R&B artist T-Pain announced on Thursday that his upcoming album "rEVOLVEr" will be released on December 6, in time for the holiday season.

"rEVOLVEr" will be the fourth studio album released by the rapper/singer, and will include the platinum-selling "Best Love Song" featuring Chris Brown, and T-Pain's current single "5 O'Clock", featuring Lily Allen and Wiz Khalifa.

"rEVOLVEr is drawn from seven albums' worth of material," said T-Pain in a statement released by RCA Record Co. "There are so many different things on this album. I couldn't settle on what I wanted to include, but the final result I think will really hit all of my fans and different audiences."

Grammy-winning T-Pain, known for his use of auto-tune in his previous albums, said he would be staying away from using the voice-modying effect on his new album, in an interview with Billboard Magazine earlier this year.

The Florida native first entered the charts with his debut album, "Rapper Ternt Sanga" in 2005, and followed up with "Epiphany" in 2007, which featured his U.S. chart-topping single "Buy U a Drank," and his platinum-selling third album "Thr33 Ringz" in 2008.

T-Pain is currently supporting singer Chris Brown on his "F.A.M.E." tour until November.

(Reporting and Writing by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

View the original article here

Robbie Williams to release album with Universal next year (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) – British singer Robbie Williams, who signed one of the world's biggest music deals with EMI in 2002, is to release his ninth studio album with Universal Music, the world's largest music company, next year.

Williams is currently recording songs for the new album in his own studio in Los Angeles, Universal said on Friday.

"I'm really thrilled to be joining the Universal family at what I think is the most exciting time in my career," the 37-year-old said in a statement.

Williams, who has sold over 60 million albums as a solo artist, last recorded a new album in 2009 before re-joining his former bandmates from Take That for a tour.

Take That are already under the Universal umbrella, while for EMI, controlled by U.S. bank Citigroup, Williams is the latest in a growing list of stars to leave in recent years including Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Radiohead.

Universal will release the new Williams record around the globe next autumn.

"This great new deal puts Robbie Williams firmly in control of his own destiny, but with the most muscular of partners," said Tim Clark, director of ie:music, the management company which represents Williams.

Williams has won more Brit awards -- Britain's top pop music prizes -- than any other artist.

(Reporting by Michelle Martin, editing by Paul Casciato)

View the original article here

T-Pain sets December release for new album

LOS ANGELES | Thu Oct 20, 2011 4:13pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - R&B artist T-Pain announced on Thursday that his upcoming album "rEVOLVEr" will be released on December 6, in time for the holiday season.

"rEVOLVEr" will be the fourth studio album released by the rapper/singer, and will include the platinum-selling "Best Love Song" featuring Chris Brown, and T-Pain's current single "5 O'Clock", featuring Lily Allen and Wiz Khalifa.

"rEVOLVEr is drawn from seven albums' worth of material," said T-Pain in a statement released by RCA Record Co. "There are so many different things on this album. I couldn't settle on what I wanted to include, but the final result I think will really hit all of my fans and different audiences."

Grammy-winning T-Pain, known for his use of auto-tune in his previous albums, said he would be staying away from using the voice-modying effect on his new album, in an interview with Billboard Magazine earlier this year.

The Florida native first entered the charts with his debut album, "Rapper Ternt Sanga" in 2005, and followed up with "Epiphany" in 2007, which featured his U.S. chart-topping single "Buy U a Drank," and his platinum-selling third album "Thr33 Ringz" in 2008.

T-Pain is currently supporting singer Chris Brown on his "F.A.M.E." tour until November.

(Reporting and Writing by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

View the original article here

Robbie Williams to release album with Universal next year

British singer Robbie Williams arrives on the red carpet for the German premiere of ''Cars 2'' in Munich July 28, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Michaela Rehle

LONDON | Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:41am EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - British singer Robbie Williams, who signed one of the world's biggest music deals with EMI in 2002, is to release his ninth studio album with Universal Music, the world's largest music company, next year.

Williams is currently recording songs for the new album in his own studio in Los Angeles, Universal said on Friday.

"I'm really thrilled to be joining the Universal family at what I think is the most exciting time in my career," the 37-year-old said in a statement.

Williams, who has sold over 60 million albums as a solo artist, last recorded a new album in 2009 before re-joining his former bandmates from Take That for a tour.

Take That are already under the Universal umbrella, while for EMI, controlled by U.S. bank Citigroup, Williams is the latest in a growing list of stars to leave in recent years including Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Radiohead.

Universal will release the new Williams record around the globe next autumn.

"This great new deal puts Robbie Williams firmly in control of his own destiny, but with the most muscular of partners," said Tim Clark, director of ie:music, the management company which represents Williams.

Williams has won more Brit awards -- Britain's top pop music prizes -- than any other artist.

(Reporting by Michelle Martin, editing by Paul Casciato)

View the original article here

Singer, poet Leonard Cohen to release new album

1 of 2. Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen attends a news conference in Oviedo, northern Spain, October 19, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Eloy Alonso

MADRID, Oct 19 - Renowned Canadian singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen said Wednesday he had recorded his first new album since 2004 and would release it next year.

Cohen told journalists in the northern Spanish town of Oviedo, where he had travelled to collect Spain's top award for authors who do not write in Spanish, that "Old Ideas" consisted of ten previously unpublished tracks.

"I've played it for a few people, and they seem to like it," the 77-year-old said in his trademark gravelly voice.

"God willing," Cohen said when asked if he planned to go on tour again. "I never quite know whether there's going to be a tour or not."

The writer and singer of "Suzanne," "Hallelujah," "Chelsea Hotel No. 2" and other hits apologized for cancelling a concert in Valencia in 2009 after he fainted, and said he would be delighted to appear in the eastern city again.

Cohen won the Principe de Asturias Prize for literature in June. Past winners include German Nobel Laureate Guenther Grass and U.S. playwright Arthur Miller.

The Montreal native also spoke of his deep admiration for Spanish culture and said he had named his daughter Lorca, after Federico Garcia Lorca, Spain's most famous 20th century poet, who was summarily shot by supporters of a military uprising in 1936 which started the Spanish Civil War.

Cohen first read Lorca when he was a teen-ager.

"He was the first poet that invited me to live in his world," Cohen said.

"His landscape was extremely familiar to me. It was a landscape that was very close to silence, a landscape that arose out of the struggle with silence, which I myself was struggling with at the time."

The writer said he still found writing hard work.

"You know, when you're writing, you're always an absolute beginner. Each time you take up your guitar or sit by a blank page, you start from scratch. It's a struggle."

The Asturias Foundation awards eight prizes every year for fields ranging from science to the arts. Winners get 50,000 euros ($69,000) and a statue by Catalan artist Joan Miro.

(Reporting by Jaime Ortiz; Writing by Martin Roberts; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

View the original article here

Adkins forges on, to release new album in August (AP)

By CHRIS TALBOTT, AP Entertainment Writer Chris Talbott, Ap Entertainment Writer – Wed Jun 15, 7:45 am ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Life is full of highs and lows for Trace Adkins right now.

The country singer is forging on after losing his house in a fire June 4, announcing during his performance at the CMA Music Festival last weekend that he's going ahead with plans to release a new album in early August.

Adkins hasn't missed a performance and doesn't expect to after briefly returning home from Alaska following the fire to check on his family.

"My wife (Rhonda) and kids, they're the only ones I'm concerned about," Adkins said in a phone interview Tuesday from Burlington, Iowa. "And it's a huge adjustment for them. I think they're still in shock."

A faulty power strip under a workbench in the family's garage was the cause of the fire. Adkins takes a "that stuff was just stuff" attitude. But the loss does enter his mind often and sometimes from strange angles.

"I realized I needed a shave and I had to go buy some razors," Adkins said. "Just little things like that, you just don't even think about it and then all of the sudden you say, `I need ... oh, I don't have that anymore.'"

His excitement over "Proud to be Here" leavens some of the emotional upheaval in his life. He calls it his favorite album "in a long time," and thinks it shows the kind of range he finds satisfying, from straight-up country to R&B-flavored songs and deep blues.

"I think I've gotten a little closer to the reason I moved to Nashville and got in this business in the first place, which was to make Ronnie Milsap records," Adkins said. "I've never made any secret about that. All I'm doing is copying Ronnie Milsap. What I mean by that is I always loved the way Ronnie was able to do what he wanted to do, the kind of music that he wanted to do. And he did everything well."

___

Online:

http://www.traceadkins.com

___

Contact Chris Talbott at http://www.twitter.com/Chris(underscore)Talbott or http://www.twitter.com/AP_Country .

View the original article here