Time for Estelle to Shin

UK urban music hit its commercial nadir a few years ago, when record labels refused to see the genre as an innovative and viable contender in the cut-throat world of the pop charts. So, within the space of a few years, you had artists like So Solid and Ms Dynamite hit the top of their game and then disappear completely. The same fate awaited Estelle, when in 2004, she released her critically acclaimed debut, ‘18th Day’ only to then fall out with her label, which wanted her to go in a more rock-oriented direction.

But Estelle, being the hustler that she is, refused to give up. She packed her bags and moved to the states where she was promptly signed up by John Legend’s Home School Label. Having collaborated with a hit list of serious American hip-hop stars, including Wyclef Jean, Kanye West and Will.i.am to name a few, Estelle returned to the UK only to drop the biggest tune of the year so far, ‘American Boy’ which landed at the number one spot.

Estelle has made one hell of a hot comeback disc; sexy, vivacious and fun. Her new album Shine hops from genre to genre taking in lovers rock, hip-hop and neo-soul. The lyrics, all of which are penned by Estelle, retain that sassy, badass outlook of a London rude gyal who shouldn’t be messed with.

To support her new album Estelle will performing on 8 June at the Ritz, Whitworth Street, Manchester, Lancashire/ 9 June at ABC, 300 Sauciehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JB/ 10 June at The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham/ 12 June at Shepherds Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush Green, London W12 8TT. Info: www.ticktemaster.co.uk

By Diriye Osman

Size in a New Form

He exploded onto the music scene ten years ago with the release of New Forms, an album that transcended the drum n bass genre that it spawned from by blending Jungle, Electronica, Jazz, soul and hip-hop and has consequently influenced all styles of electronic & dance music.

Yes, Roni Size emerged from the same thriving, creative music community in Bristol with an experimental D.I.Y ethos that would also see  kindred spirits and peers; Massive Attack and Portishead go on to have successful careers.

Upon release in 1997, 'New Forms' was widely acclaimed by critics even moving Rock orientated Magazine Rolling Stone to label it "the 90's answer to the Sergeant Pepper ", in the process helping Drum 'n' bass reach a wider audience. This culminated in 'New Forms' winning 1997's Mercury prize beating the likes of Radiohead, Primal Scream and two of Size's dance music peers, Chemical Brothers & Prodigy who had also gathered extensive media attention and chart success that year.

To mark the release of the original and acknowledge  the rapid  advances of music technology, Size, who has returned to re-edit 'New Forms' and bring out his live band to perform the album, says the generation of those who missed it will be able to appreciate the album with the new coat of armour that he added to the original tracks. "I think fans of the original version always appreciated what we did with the technology of the day, this latest version shows what is possible now."

With three brand new tracks including the single 'Don't hold back' added to the original thirteen album tracks,  the listener can look forward to an expanded and more contemporary sound to the live performance and album re-release.

With glowing praise from critics and fans referring to witnessing Roni Size live as "spiritual experience", this represents a great opportunity for music lovers to catch a pioneer of dance music with a very special live band accompanying him in an intimate setting before the festival season starts.

Roni Size will be performing on Thursday 8th May at Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PG (travel-tube: Camden Town). 7pm-11pm. Adm: £20 adv/ £25 door. Info: 0871 231 0842, restaurant booking 0207 688 8899 / www.Jazzcafe.co.uk

By Shaun Cronin.

Charlie Dark's Have Box Will Travel

A rites of passage story based on real events from his incredible and prolific career so far, Charlie Dark's one man show is sure to resonate with those who appreciate dynamic poetry and music.

With slick direction from hip-hop theatre favourite Benji Reid and a soundtrack of club classics, Have Box Will Travel fuses performance poetry, storytelling and DJ-ing to create an energetic and refreshing show for music lovers, dancers and anyone who has ever dreamt of making it big.

A London-based poet, writer and DJ, Dark is one third of the hip-hop inspired trio Attica Blues and has toured around the globe (both independently and with the band) to points as far dispersed as Tokyo, New York and Berlin. He makes regular appearances on the literature and spoken word circuit, is an experienced tutor and workshop facilitator, and was a Poet Coach for the London Teenage Poetry SLAM for three consecutive years.

Hip-Hop theatre pioneer, Benji Reid is a graduate of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. He has been creating hip-hop theatre for over ten years and his own work includes 13 Mics for Contact Theatre. As a director Reid's credits include Jonzi D's Aeroplane and the hip-hop musical Avalanche at Nottingham Playhouse. Reid is currently developing his new one-man show Let It B which will tour the in Spring of 2009.
Joining Dark and Reid for this production will be Lighting Designer, Chahine Yavroyan. Be prepared to be transported from a tiny bedroom in South London to the world of the super DJ in 80 beats and back again.

Charlie founded Blacktronica, a monthly showcase of British Black electronic music at the ICA and BFI. After the last show of Have Box Will Travel, he'll be doing a DJ set until the last tube home. Bring your favourite Vinyl and CDs for requests. Admission FREE.

Have Box Will Travel can be seen from Monday 14 April - 13 May at The Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, W6 OQL. 8pm. Adm: £9, conc £12. Info: 08712 211 726 / www.lyric.co.uk