RMN PODCAST

In 1977 Sheyla joined Munich disco project Mandrake for the recording of "It's Time For Us" "Dancing The Night Away" and "Disco Magic"[1]. She then signed to Hansa International, releasing a disco cover of "Proud Mary",[2] credited to "Sheila Bonnique". She recorded another track, "In the Shadows" which appeared on the soundtrack album of German film A Woman in Flames (1983)[3]. In the early 90s, she moved to Denmark with her Icelandic husband and manager where she co-wrote a mini-musical called "Money Talks" staged for some months in the Lindenborg inn. In 1994 Sheyla became a member of Maizie Williams Boney M. lineup (the third of its kind alongside that of Bobby Farrell and lead singer Liz Mitchell). Sheyla accepted the offer. The group toured the world for 10 years in a line-up featuring Kelly Rahman and Toyin Adekale. Sheyla left the group and later formed her own tribute show "Sounds of Boney M." She released the single "Live Better" with Latvian artist Rassell on May 20, 2013[4] before producing the album "Angel Cures" by fellow "Sounds of Boney M." member Francesca Mowatt [5]. She also published the book "Women Are Like Cats And Men Are Like Dogs - Or Are They?" under pseudonym Kat Brown.[6] On 16 June 2013 it was announced that Sheyla Bonnick is now patron of 'Second Chance Animal Rescue' which is situated in Swanley, Kent.

Jeff and RMN Rory Talk music and the industry Jeffery Wayne Bates (born September 19, 1963) is an American country music artist. Signed to RCA Records in late 2002, Bates released his debut album Rainbow Man in May 2003. A second album, Leave the Light On, was released in 2005 on RCA. He left RCA in 2006. This album was followed by Jeff Bates in 2008 on the independent Black River Entertainment. Bates' two RCA albums accounted for seven chart singles on the Billboard country charts, of which three reached top 40: "The Love Song" (his highest, at No. 8), "I Wanna Make You Cry" at No. 23, and "Long, Slow Kisses" at No. 17.

Paul Mark Oakenfold (born 30 August 1963),[3] formerly known mononymously as Oakenfold, is an English record producer and trance DJ. He is a three-time Grammy Award and two-time World Music Awards nominee. He was voted the No. 1 DJ in the World twice in 1998 and 1999 by DJ Magazine. Oakenfold has provided over 100 remixes for over 100 artists including U2, Moby, Madonna, Britney Spears, Massive Attack, The Cure, New Order, The Rolling Stones, The Stone Roses and more.

Garry Christian is a Triple Platinum, multi-million selling award winning musician and songwriter, known as the lead vocalist of The Christians, ...

Derek Forbes and RMN Rory chat about the music industry. Derek Forbes (born 22 June 1956) is a Scottish bassist, vocalist, and sometime guitarist, best known for his work with the Scottish band Simple Minds, which he joined in 1978. He recorded with them from their early demos until shortly after their 1985 hit, "Don't You (Forget About Me)". He was dismissed from the band, apparently through petty jealousy—as told by Jim Kerr, who stated that it was a regrettable mistake—prior to the release of the global success of Once Upon a Time. Forbes has claimed that he wrote on 60% of the album, yet remained uncredited. Assuming he would quickly be asked to re-join the band, no legal action was taken.[citation needed] He reunited with the band for a three-year period from 1995 to 1998, before and during the recording of Néapolis. He and Mel Gaynor found out a few days before the Kosovo show at Glasgow's SECC, that they both weren't included; this was much to the confusion of the fans, as they had been told that both Forbes and Gaynor were not available to play, but were onstage directly before Simple Minds went on. Forbes has stated that he has never left the band, and also that he wasn't happy with the final mix of the album. Forbes and Gaynor appeared at the Scotland Rocks for Kosovo in 1999 performing Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir", whilst Simple Minds also appeared on the bill with Mark Kerr on drums and Eddie Duffy on bass. Forbes has sung with David Bowie, on the Iggy Pop album 'Soldier'. He played bass on the Kirsty MacColl hit 'A New England'. Forbes has performed onstage with Peter Gabriel After Simple Minds, Forbes went on to play in a number of other bands, including Propaganda (Germany) and Oblivion Dust (Japan), Spear of Destiny, 10:51 and the Alarm. He also played in Fourgoodmen, a Scottish supergroup, between 2005-2007 and formed XSM, who were originally to consist of Forbes, MacNeil and McGee from the original Simple Minds line up. XSM recorded an album's worth of tracks, but Mick MacNeil didn't want to play 'Live', so Forbes and McGee took the band out, along with 'one Hit Wonder' Owen Paul (McGee), sibling of Brian McGee. The guitar and keyboard player roles were twofold, with Steven Curley (version 1) on guitar, followed by Ant Seaman guitar (version 2) and Gary O'Hagan keyboards (version 1) and Andy Gall keyboards (version 2). Forbes was voted 'Best Bass Player in the World' in 1982, and 'Best International Bass Player' in a music poll in Australia, the same year. Forbes was also voted 'Best Bass Player in UK'. Forbes is highly respected by his peers and fellow musicians, including Adam Clayton, Peter Hook, Nicky Wire, Tony Butler, Pino Palladino, JJ Burnell, Bruce Foxton, John Giblin and Malcolm Foster.[citation needed] In 2009, Forbes was voted 'Scotland's Greatest Ever Bassist' by the readers of Dear Scotland,[1] and his life and work is the subject of a biography in both print and film by writer/director Ethan Dettenmaier. Forbes had his own radio show on LA Talk Radio for two years, ‘May The Forbes Be With You.’ Production stopped after he joined Big Country. Forbes was a featured extra in the film 'This Is Not A Love Song'. Forbes was the bass player with Scottish band Big Country, replacing the longstanding Tony Butler who retired from the band, but left the band in 2015. Forbes has toured the East Coast of America for the last three years running (2015/16/17) with his all American band ('Derek Forbes band') members include John McNutt (ex Spear of Destiny), Danny Beisell (Fosterchild and American Vinyl), Tim McKinstrey (keys) and Marc Iezzi (drums).

Rory RMN Speaks with Lonnie Gordon from his days on the Hit Man and Her and of Course the Music industry, Friends and Music buddies Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gordon moved to the Bronx at an early age. In the early 1980s, she started performing around the Harlem area in clubs as the lead singer of a band called Nythjar. After meeting her husband, she relocated to England in the late 1980s, and retired from the music scene to take care of her daughter Rikki. Gordon resumed her singing career in 1988 singing lead vocals for club-oriented acts such as Offshore, Deja Vu and most notably, House ensemble Quartzlock, releasing the singles "No Regrets", "Love Eviction" and "You Make Loving Fun". In 1989, she contributed lead vocals to Simon Harris' cover of the On the House song "(I've Got Your) Pleasure Control", which became her first charting single in the UK. The record brought her to the attention of Supreme Records, who offered her a deal in 1989. The first single on the Supreme label, a cover of First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder" (re-titled "It's Not Over (Let No Man Put Asunder)"), was a club hit but did not translate into pop success. For her next single, "Happenin' All Over Again", Gordon collaborated with British hitmaking team Stock Aitken & Waterman. The song had originally been written for Donna Summer,[1] but Gordon was offered the track as Summer never found the time to get back to London for recording and had had a long association with the record label dating back to 1985 with the Supreme act Princess. The single was released in January 1990. It peaked at No. 4 in the UK Singles Chart,[2] and became a huge hit around Europe. The planned follow-up single, the uptempo "How Could He Do This To Me", was scrapped (and was never released until years later), and the ballad "Beyond Your Wildest Dreams" was released instead in August 1990. The single peaked at No. 48. In November 1990, Gordon released her debut album's title track "If I Have To Stand Alone", which had a similar sound to "Happenin' All Over Again". The single charted at No. 68 in the UK.[2] Her debut album, If I Have To Stand Alone, only received a limited release in Europe, Australia (where it peaked at No. 173 on the ARIA Albums Chart[3]) and Japan but to rave reviews. In 1991, Gordon flew to Italy and recorded the song "Gonna Catch You", written and produced by the Italo house group Black Box. It was released as a single in the UK where it became a top 40 hit, peaking at No. 32. Due to its inclusion in the Vanilla Ice film Cool As Ice, the song became her debut release in the U.S., where it peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Dance charts and at No. 79 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was Gordon's last release with Supreme Records. Signed to SBK Records, Gordon released her second album Bad Mood in 1993. The album included two further U.S. No. 1 Dance singles, "Bad Mood", and a re-recorded "Happenin' All Over Again", which also peaked at No. 98 in the Billboard Hot 100. A follow up single, "Do You Want It", also did well on the dance charts in 1994. Gordon has hit the U.S. dance chart two more times in 1996, with the songs "Dirty Love" on Geffen Records, which peaked at No. 6, and "If You Really Love Me" released on Big Bang Records, which peaked at No. 42. In 2000, she released the compilation album No Regret, which included many of her singles and album highlights, as well as two new songs. A cover of "He Lives in You", was released as its lead single. Also, in 1997, Lonnie Gordon worked with European dance producers P.O.F., Roland Michael and Demetrius Ross and remixed the single, If You Really Love Me originally written and recorded by Stevie Wonder. In 2002, Gordon starred as the lead vocalist and narrator for "Zumanity" another side of Cirque du Soleil, in Las Vegas. Working with Cirque du Soleil and moving to Las Vegas, was a bold career move that provided an opportunity for Gordon to showcase her strong vocals and incredible stage presence. After leaving Cirque du Soleil, Gordon made her way back to London, England and constantly toured, working with uk based company Allaboutdivas.com In 2007, Gordon established her own label Gordon Records, from which she released four compilation albums including several new songs. She also exhibited her paintings around this time in Las Vegas. A remastered special edition CD of her unreleased UK 1990 album, If I Have To Stand Alone, was released in April 2009 on the Cherry Pop record label, with additional unreleased mixes from PWL's vaults. In 2009, "Catch You Baby", a re-recording of the 1991 hit, "Gonna Catch You", was released by Positiva/EMI as a digital-only download in early August 2009, with a host of mixes, including by a mixes by Pete Hammond and 7TH Heaven. In 2010–2011 Gordon again toured the UK and Europe to much acclaim as well as giving her time to perform at major H.I.V / A.I.D.S benefits worldwide. Gordon has always given her time and energy to this cause

RMN talks one to one about the music industry with Marc Vedo interview was carried out for Hit Click a while back. Marc Vedo is an internationally renowned house music DJ/Producer who has released a string of hugely successful dance-floor anthems, as well as the owner of Koolwaters; a legendary party brand, label and agency. Since launching Koolwaters aged just 18, Marc has enjoyed many years at the forefront of house music. In 2015, he was one of the top-selling house artists in the world on Beatport, and in 2016 he also became one of the Top 100 bestselling house artists on Traxsource. 2017 saw him sign worldwide deal with Sony Music with his first single ‘Ride Of Your Life’ with Kung’s ‘This Girl’ vocalist Kylie Auldist, which has already achieved over 6 million views on YouTube alone. Other Marc Vedo releases include ‘I Wanna Know’ with Mila Falls, ‘The Musik’ and 'You Cannot Be Saved', a collaboration with Boy George. With releases on many of the world’s leading record labels, including Sony Music, Ultra Records, Armada Deep, Toolroom, Ministry of Sound, Great Stuff Recordings, Milk & Sugar, Urbana Records and Get Twisted. He has received huge support from respected DJs such as Mark Knight, Sasha, Pete Tong, Roger Sanchez, Gorgon City, Joseph Capriati, Steve Lawler and Joris Voorn, as well as widespread airplay on key radio stations including BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, KISS FM and Capital, championed by tastemakers like Danny Howard, B. Traits and MistaJam. Marc Vedo’s international appeal has seen him perform at many of the world’s biggest festivals and venues, ranging from Glastonbury, Waves Festival, Ultra Music Festival, Storm Festival, Beat-Herder, Global Gathering, Milkshake Festival Amsterdam and for the DJ Mag Top 100 event. His has held residencies at Ibiza superclubs Eden, Amnesia, Privilege, the iconic Bora Bora Beach Club and further afield at Sky Garden in Bali. His worldwide appeal has also seen Marc travel the globe to play at corporate events for major brands including Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Sony, and Heineken. 2018 has been his busiest and the biggest year of touring so far with headline slots at all the major Festivals in Asia, hitting key hotspots around Europe and Africa and extensive South American tours, including supporting Brazilian superstar Alok on some of his Brazil shows. Back in the UK, Marc Vedo continues to head up Koolwaters, which has become one of the leading agencies in the world, thanks to Marc’s ability to spot and nurture exciting new talent. With lots of exciting projects in the pipeline for 2019, first up is his forthcoming single ‘It's Alright' due for release on Love & Other Records in January

An interview with the great Scottish Folk Singer and Song Writer Archie Fisher with Rory Nicoll AKA RMN on the best music podcast in the world ....

Mary Kiani, usually spelled Märy Kiani on her records, is a Scottish singer (born Mary McKloskey on 27 March 1969), who first had hit songs as vocalist for dance music act The Time Frequency (TTF) in the early 1990s and later a solo career.[1] Before TTF, Kiani was a session musician and has toured with Donny Osmond and performed vocals on The Simpsons' Yellow Album."Real Love", featuring Kiani, the group's only Top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart, peaked at No. 8 in November 1993.[2] Other charting singles with Kiani were "New Emotion" No. 36, and "The Ultimate High" / "Power Zone" No. 17. Hit singles for the group without Kiani were "Such A Phantasy" No. 25 and "Dreamscape '94" No. 32.[2]After leaving the Time Frequency, Kiani signed a solo recording contract with Mercury Records. She topped numerous club charts and her early singles all made the UK chart. "When I Call Your Name" made No. 18, the double A-side release "I Give It All To You" / "I Imagine" peaked at No. 35, and was followed into the charts by the cover of "Let the Music Play" which reached No. 19. Her fourth release "100%", her last single to be remixed by Motiv8 was another hit at No. 23, and "With or Without You" (a U2 cover) peaked at No. 46.[3] All the singles were taken off her album Long Hard Funky Dreams, which was commercially less successful.Kiani then disappeared from the music scene for a while resurfacing with an Australian only single "Wrap You Up" in 1999, released on Jam Records. She contributed a track called "No Frills Love" to a few dance compilations, the main ones being The 2002 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Official CD and Gayfest 2003. In the late 1990s, Kiani opened the Glasgow nightclub 'Slave' in the city's Clyde Street.She is still a popular performer on the gay club circuit. She returned in 2006 with her album, The Sydney Sessions, which initially received an Australia only release. The album became available on iTunes, alongside the 2005 remix of "Let the Music Play". She toured Australia in support of the album, including a performance at the 2006 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, where she performed "I Imagine".She recorded a cover version of "After All I Live My Life" for Frankie Miller's tribute album, which was released in 2003 on Eagle Records. Kiani toured in Australia during 2007, as well as gave birth to her second child. Kiani's single, "Anything Is Possible", was released in October that year, through the Pumpin' UK label.Recently Kiani's older hits have experienced a resurgence in popularity, beginning with her single "100%", which appeared on Japan's We Love Tech Para: Mission Style II. Kiani is now based in Sydney, Australia and following a singing career in her new home, appeared at The Midnight Shift birthday party in 2009, and performed at Slide in October 2009 with her 'Live and Intimate Show'.

Ciaran Gribbin from Ex INXS Lead Vocalist shares his views on the music industry with RMN Podcast and speaks about his career and song writing. Part 2 Ciaran Gribbin (born 1976) is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer who hails from Castledawson, Northern Ireland.Early careerGribbin began writing songs at the age of nine. He formed a small band with his two best friends, and for years they toured the pubs in Belfast, Northern Ireland where he was born. At 20 years of age, Gribbin studied music at the School of Music in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Upon leaving college, he formed the band, Leya, which lasted seven years. The band put out one album, titled Watch You Don't Take Off. Leya toured with bands such as Snow Patrol, Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand and Embrace. Gribbin also performed backing vocals on Snow Patrol's album Eyes Open.[1]Joe Echo and collaborationsAfter Leya disbanded, Gribbin continued to work with the members of Leya on various projects, under the name of Joe Echo[2] as well as collaborating/co-writing with international artists including Deadmau5 and Paul Oakenfold, with whom he co-wrote Madonna's track, "Celebration", for which he received a Grammy nomination.[3] Gribbin also toured, under the name Joe Echo, with many artists including Gotye, Powderfinger, The Script and opened for Sir Paul McCartney at the Hard Rock Calling[4] Festival in Hyde Park, London. Gribbin wrote and produced soundtrack albums for the films Killing Bono[5] and Heartless.[6]Ciaran also released some original music under Joe Echo in digital format.INXSIn 2009, while supporting Paolo Nutini on his Australian tour under Joe Echo, Gribbin met INXS keyboardist and songwriter Andrew Farriss at a house party in Sydney. Over the next 12 months, Farriss and Gribbin became close friends and in May 2011 the two songwriters got together for a songwriting session. The members of INXS were impressed with Gribbin's vocal and songwriting ability and promptly asked him to audition for lead vocalist of their band. In November 2011, Gribbin performed his first show with INXS[7] in Arequipa, Peru[8] in front of 7,000 people and two nights later performed in front of 30,000 people, headlining the Personal Festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He replaced their former lead singer, J.D. Fortune.Gribbin performed over 50 shows as INXS' frontman. Two of the songs Gribbin co-wrote with Andrew Farris have been released by INXS. "Tiny Summer"[9] was a free download single. The second single, "We Are United",[10] was performed in Australia's capital city, Canberra, at the Australia Day celebrations in January 2012 in front of a television audience of one million, and was released to mark this occasion.

Ciaran Gribbin from Ex INXS Lead Vocalist shares his views on the music industry with RMN Podcast and speaks about his career and song writing. Ciaran Gribbin (born 1976) is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer who hails from Castledawson, Northern Ireland.Early careerGribbin began writing songs at the age of nine. He formed a small band with his two best friends, and for years they toured the pubs in Belfast, Northern Ireland where he was born. At 20 years of age, Gribbin studied music at the School of Music in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Upon leaving college, he formed the band, Leya, which lasted seven years. The band put out one album, titled Watch You Don't Take Off. Leya toured with bands such as Snow Patrol, Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand and Embrace. Gribbin also performed backing vocals on Snow Patrol's album Eyes Open.[1]Joe Echo and collaborationsAfter Leya disbanded, Gribbin continued to work with the members of Leya on various projects, under the name of Joe Echo[2] as well as collaborating/co-writing with international artists including Deadmau5 and Paul Oakenfold, with whom he co-wrote Madonna's track, "Celebration", for which he received a Grammy nomination.[3] Gribbin also toured, under the name Joe Echo, with many artists including Gotye, Powderfinger, The Script and opened for Sir Paul McCartney at the Hard Rock Calling[4] Festival in Hyde Park, London. Gribbin wrote and produced soundtrack albums for the films Killing Bono[5] and Heartless.[6]Ciaran also released some original music under Joe Echo in digital format.INXSIn 2009, while supporting Paolo Nutini on his Australian tour under Joe Echo, Gribbin met INXS keyboardist and songwriter Andrew Farriss at a house party in Sydney. Over the next 12 months, Farriss and Gribbin became close friends and in May 2011 the two songwriters got together for a songwriting session. The members of INXS were impressed with Gribbin's vocal and songwriting ability and promptly asked him to audition for lead vocalist of their band. In November 2011, Gribbin performed his first show with INXS[7] in Arequipa, Peru[8] in front of 7,000 people and two nights later performed in front of 30,000 people, headlining the Personal Festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He replaced their former lead singer, J.D. Fortune.Gribbin performed over 50 shows as INXS' frontman. Two of the songs Gribbin co-wrote with Andrew Farris have been released by INXS. "Tiny Summer"[9] was a free download single. The second single, "We Are United",[10] was performed in Australia's capital city, Canberra, at the Australia Day celebrations in January 2012 in front of a television audience of one million, and was released to mark this occasion.

Ultra Nate speaks to RMN Podcast all things music and about her journey in the music industry and of the state of streaming and NFTs Ultra Naté Wyche, known professionally as Ultra Naté (born March 20, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ and promoter who has achieved success on the pop charts with songs such as "Free", "If You Could Read My Mind" (as part of Stars on 54), and "Automatic".Virtually all of her singles have reached the Top 10 of the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. Such singles include "Show Me", "Free", "Desire", "Get it Up (the Feeling)", "Love's the Only Drug", and her number-one hits "Automatic", "Give it All You Got" featuring Chris Willis, "Waiting On You" and "Everybody Loves the Night". In December 2016, Billboard magazine ranked her as the 12th most successful dance artist of all-timeBorn Ultra Naté in Havre de Grace, Maryland, United States, she displayed her singing talent at an early age. Growing up, Naté enjoyed a wide variety of music; she enjoyed listening to artists such as Marvin Gaye and Boy George, whom Naté later said helped her become more open to being more experimental with her style and production of music.[2]She is best known in her home country for her 1990s dance crossover track, "Free". She is also remembered in America for her team-up with Amber and Jocelyn Enriquez as Stars on 54 on a 1998 cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind", which was a minor mainstream American hit. It reached #52 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Though she has had club success in America, she has found the majority of her singles and, especially, album sales success in Europe.CareerUltra Naté began her recording career on a major label, Warner Bros. Records, signed through its British offices.[3] Through it, she released her first two albums. Her debut album, Blue Notes in the Basement (1991) was created along with the Basement Boys and it featured the singles "It's Over Now", "Deeper Love (Missing You)", "Is It Love", and the gospel-tinged "Rejoicing".[3]In 1993, the alternative dance/house One Woman's Insanity was released.[3] Although it still featured the Basement Boys' production on several tracks, this time Ultra found herself working with Nellee Hooper, and D-Influence.[3] At a time when soulful house music performers such as Robin S and Crystal Waters were scoring cross-over Top Ten Pop singles, it was believed that Ultra Naté would score a similar level of commercial success. Mainstream sales however were not achieved even though "Show Me" received moderate mainstream pop radio airplay. Singles included "How Long", "Show Me" (her first song to reach the top position on the US Dance charts) and "Joy". However, neither release sold very well, and she was dropped from the label.In 1995, Ultra Naté contributed the song "Party Girl (Turn Me Loose)" to the soundtrack to the independent film starring Parker Posey. The single was commercially released by the King Street Sounds label.When Warner Bros. tried to push her in another direction, Ultra Naté left the major label and moved to the independent dance label, Strictly Rhythm. It was here that "Free", her biggest mainstream hit, was released in 1997.[3] The song, co-written by Naté, Lem Springsteen and John Ciafone while production was held by both Springsteen and Ciafone, enjoyed heavy airplay throughout the summer, not only in clubs, but on rhythmic and mainstream radio stations in America and Europe. "Free" peaked at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It became a substantial hit in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart, helping its parent album 'Situation: Critical' reach number seventeen on the UK Albums Chart.[3] It was also successful in Canada, where it peaked at number ten on the Canadian Singles Chart.[4]It was with this album that Ultra Naté's greatest commercial success was achieved, particularly in Europe, where singles such as "Found a Cure" (No. 6 in the UK), and "New Kind of Medicine" (No 14 UK) also charted.In 1998, a new single "Pressure" was released internationally. Taken from the soundtrack to the film The 24 Hour Woman, it contained three club mixes. The original version of the track was found on 'Situation: Critical" but listed as "Release the Pressure".Her follow-up album Stranger Than Fiction, which was released in 2001, featured the production work of artists such as Attica Blues, 4 Hero, and Mood II Swing. Four singles were released: "Desire", "Get It Up (The Feeling)", "Twisted", and "I Don't Understand It".Naté contributed the song "Wonderful Place" to the AIDS benefit compilation Keep Hope Alive: A Lifebeat Benefit Compilation. Additionally, in 2004, she released the singles "Feel Love", "Brass in Pocket", "Time of Our Lives" (released as "Ultra Devoted featuring Ultra Naté and Gerry DeVeaux"), and a new version of "Free" that features twelve new mixes. In 2005, she collaborated with Gaudino and released the single "Bitter Sweet Melody". Later in the same year she found herself again on the charts, when her featured vocals on the Stonebridge single "Freak On" became a successful dance hit. She also performed on the British show Hit Me Baby One More Time.Having become a mother for the first time in the fall of 2005, Naté released her fifth album Grime, Silk, & Thunder on her newly created imprint Blufire in partnership with Tommy Boy Records. The first single released was "Love's the Only Drug", which became available through the US iTunes Store August 8, 2006 and reached number two on the American Hot Dance Club Play and made the Top 30 on the Hot Dance Airplay chart. The second single "Automatic" (a cover version of the Pointer Sisters hit) reached number one on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart (the week ending April 28, 2007). It also received airplay in the Rhythmic/Dance format radio where it reached the Top 30 of most playlists in this radio format. Following Automatic, Ultra released "Give It All You Got" which features Chris Willis in Dec 2007. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Music/Club Play charts the week ending February 23, 2008.In mid-2009 it was announced that US singer Michelle Williams, previously of Destiny's Child has collaborated on a song with Ultra called "I'm Waiting On You", for use on both of their next studio albums.[5] In 2010 Ultra has released a Bob Sinclar remix of her hit "Free" on Strictly Rhythm. "Give It 2 U" in collaboration with Quentin Harris for his album "Sacrifice". She also released "Destination" in collaboration with Tony Moran which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Dance Play chart. "Destination" was the second single off Tony's album, Mix Magic Music.In 2010 she released an EP titled "Things Happen At Night" featuring Ultra's pop and soul melodies and vocals over percussive club beats done by Unruly productions. January 2011 is saw the release of Ultra's next single with Strictly Rhythm on her Deep Sugar label imprint called "Turn It Up" with a music video directed by Leo Herrera. "Turn It Up" was the first single to be released from her sixth studio album titled Hero Worship.In September 2011, she submitted the song, "My Love" to represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. However, though close, the song failed to reach the final.[6]In 2013, she held a residency spot at Cafe Ole at Space, Ibiza.[7] Her spirited presence has graced the stages of New York's massive Summer Stage in Central Park, Nile Rodgers acclaimed FOLD Festival sharing the stage with the likes of CHIC, Duran Duran, Pharrell and Beck to Lincoln Center's annual Midnight Summer Swing and numerous Pride events around the world.[citation needed]Ultra's 2017 album collaboration, Ultra Naté & Quentin Harris as Black Stereo Faith, reached the iTunes Top 10 upon release

MR C Speaks to RMN About music and the Music BizHe also gets into life as a DJ in LA and the US and NFTs Richard West (born 2 January 1965), known as Mr. C, is an English house music DJ, producer and rapper.[1][2][3] He was the resident DJ at the early acid house "RIP" nights at Clink Street, London,[4] and later was the co-owner/co-founder of London's The End nightclub.West was the frontman for The Shamen during their most commercially successful era. He is a proponent of tech house, a fusion of houseWest was born in London in 1965. He started MCing in the London clubs aged 16 and earned a reputation as a fast-talking, vivacious rapper working with LWR radio's Ron Tom, Jasper the Vinyl Junkie and Jazzy M. He joined with Colin Faver and Evil Eddie Richards to become resident rapper at Camden Palace. West recorded his first deep house track with Eddie Richards as Myster-E, "Page 67",[5] which was released in August 1987. This inspired West to become a DJ in late 1987. He has since organised, promoted and been resident DJ at: Fantasy (1988), Base (Dungeons 1989), Release (1991), Harmony (1992), Drop (1993), Cyclone (1994), Vapourspace (1994 and 1995), Flavour (The End, 1995 and 1996), Subterrain (The End, 1995–2002), Superfreq (worldwide 2002–present) and Super Disco Freq (LA, 2010–present).In December 1995 West opened the night club The End in London with Partner Layo Paskin[6] (of Layo & Bushwacka!) and AKA bar three years later, which had its 23rd anniversary in December 2018. West is founder and owner of Plink Plonk records, co-founder of End Recordings and co-founder and owner of the Superfreq label.He has recorded under the names Myster-E, Unity 2, Nu Jacks, Bass Bureau, Mantrac, Somnambulist, Animus Amour, Killer Loop, Mr. C and Tom Parris, Mr. C and 16B and the Sycophant Slags. West is best known as frontman of The Shamen with whom he achieved a string of top 10 hits including "Move Any Mountain" and the UK number 1 hit "Ebeneezer Goode".[7][8] In 1995 he created the mix album Fantazia DJ Collection 3 – Back to the Old Skool. He has also released mix albums Psycotrance vol 1, X-Mix 6 on Studio K7, Sunterrain 100% Unreleased on his End recordings imprint and most recently Superfreq Express on his Superfreq label. West now records solo as Mr. C and collaborates as the Sycophant Slags with Francis Harris aka Adultnapper, as the Indigo Kidz with Affie Yusuf, with [a]pendics.shuffle and with Omid 16b.He has released on Poker Flat, Wagon Repair Records, Get Physical Music and Adjunct Audio. He has released a solo EP titled "I'm gonna Give You Some" and the albums Smell The Coffee and Incidents. He has collaborated with Affie Yusuf, Omid 16b and [a]pendics.shuffle.[9] He has remixed for Mikael Stavöstrand and David Scuba, Francis Harris, Xo Chic, Joint Custody & Affie Yusuf. His "Soulfuric" track was released on Alola and his "Liquid Acid" track was released on DJ Pierre's Acid 88 album on Afro Acid.Superfreq record labelSuperfreq released eight EPs from various artists and one mix-set by Mr. C, but had then been a dormant record label since 2006. Superfreq relaunched in February 2013[10] and has since released prolifically[11] with forty digital EPs and two albums.

Alison Wheeler from the South Joins RMN to talk musicAlison Wheeler (born 4 March 1972) is a British singer, best known as the female vocalist for The Beautiful South from 2003 until they disbanded in 2007.Wheeler's career in music began at university in a cover band called Melt City, alongside Hal Ritson, now of The Young Punx, Kev Dowd, now of Lowbrow, James Woods, now of Jam Sandwich and Dom Wilhelm, (of 1990s UK pop punk act Satellite Beach). On arriving in London she joined indie band Junk, subsequently renamed Treehouse, well known on the Camden & Islington gig circuit (The Dublin Castle, Bull & Gate, the Laurel Tree, the Hope & Anchor, Islington).In 1998 Wheeler responded to an audition for a "girl band" Virginia, masterminded by record producer Ian Shaw (founder of Warm Fuzz Records) and then consisting of Louise Miller and Lee Winnick, the latter shortly afterwards replaced by Laura Matthews. Virginia featured repeatedly as guests on BBC Radio, particularly Janice Long, Jonathan Ross, Gyles Brandreth, Nicky Campbell and Ned Sherrin, as well as TV appearances in Northern Ireland on the Benny Hill Show. Tracks from Virginia's first album Firstbite had chart success in the US Billboard charts.[citation needed]In 2002 her work with London gospel band Citizen K led to an introduction to Dave Hemingway of the Beautiful South. After working on Hemingway's as yet unreleased solo album, Hemingway promised a recommendation to the Beautiful South's driving force, Paul Heaton, since a new album was in the making, despite the unexpected departure of former band member Jacqui Abbott. By 2003, with the release of "Gaze", Wheeler was a member of the band, appearing live first at a Carling Homecoming at the Welly Club in Hull on 18 September 2003. Gaze was followed by albums "Goldiggas Headnodders and Pholk Songs" and "Superbi".She was dubbed Alison 'Lady' Wheeler jokingly by her bandmates in The Beautiful South who felt that her demeanour and education at Trinity College, Cambridge, was in contrast to the band's trademark working-class northern image.[1][2]She remained busy during her pregnancy in 2005 touring the UK, headlining the acoustic stage at Glastonbury, in the Park and Oxygene. This was followed by nearly 50 gigs in 2006 including 2 UK tours, the V festival, an Irish tour and an American tour.The band split in January 2007 due to "musical similarities". She spent some time enjoying motherhood and recorded a solo projectMembers of Beautiful South (including Wheeler and singer Dave Hemingway but minus ex-lead singers Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott) got back together as The New Beautiful South (as a touring band rather than a recording act), which, in time, was re-branded as The South.In 2010, she recorded the track "Move A Little Closer" with Jon Windle (formerly of Little Man Tate) for his debut solo album Step Out The Man. Since 2008, Wheeler has been working with Amanda Frolich recording children's albums for "Amanda's Action Club".[5]During 2012 and 2013, she toured the UK with The South, playing old Beautiful South songs as well as songs from her album with Dave Hemingway called Sweet Refrains.[6][7][8]Wheeler is currently still a member of The South though Dave Hemingway left the band in 2017

Chesney Hawkes speaks to RMN about his career and what he has learned through his challenges. Chesney Lee Hawkes (born 22 September 1971) is an English pop singer, songwriter, and occasional actor. He started his career at the age of 19, when he appeared in the film Buddy's Song, which featured his best known single "The One and Only", which topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks and reached the Top 10 in the United States. Follow-up single "I'm a Man Not a Boy" peaked at 27 in the UK, with subsequent singles including "What's Wrong With This Picture?", "Stay Away Baby Jane" (a collaboration with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne) and "Another Fine Mess" also charting in the top 100.Aside from music, he also appeared on Channel 4's The Games in 2005, winning a Bronze Medal. Hawkes appeared on the shows Hit Me Baby One More Time, Let's Dance For Comic Relief, and Sing If You Can. Hawkes also appeared in the musical Can't Smile Without You, as the role of Tony Lowiman.Hawkes was born in Windsor, Berkshire. He was named after the singer and comedian Chesney Allen. His father is the singer Len 'Chip' Hawkes, formerly with the 1960s band The Tremeloes.[1] His mother is former actress/game-show hostess Carol Dilworth, who appeared in an episode of the 1960s version of Randall and Hopkirk called "For The Girl Who Has Everything", as well as the 1969 horror film The Haunted House of Horror. Keely Hawkes, his sister, was the lead singer of 1990s band Transister, and is currently a songwriter based in Los Angeles. He attended Charters School in Sunningdale.Hawkes's career began at 19, when he appeared as the title character in the film Buddy's Song. In March 1991, he released his biggest single "The One and Only" from the film's soundtrack, on which his younger brother, Jodie, was the drummer. Written by Nik Kershaw, the song was later featured in the opening credits of Doc Hollywood (1991), starring Michael J. Fox; in the 2009 movie Moon, as the song Sam Rockwell wakes up to every morning; and again in the 2011 film Source Code (also directed by Moon director Duncan Jones) as the mobile phone ringtone of Michelle Monaghan's character. The single spent five weeks at No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart. He has released eight singles including "I'm a Man Not a Boy" and "Another Fine Mess".In 1993, his single "What's Wrong With This Picture?" reached number 63 in the UK, and his 2002 collaboration with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, "Stay Away Baby Jane", reached number 74 in the UK Singles Chart.[2]Hawkes returned to the media's attention with his involvement in Channel 4's The Games in March 2005, in which he won a Bronze Medal. He also took part in the ITV programme Hit Me Baby One More Time in April that year. He released a single called "Another Fine Mess" in May 2005, it reached number 48.[2] The following album of the same title featured fifteen songs written by Hawkes.[3]Hawkes was involved in a project called the Lexus Symphony Orchestra, a corporate promotion designed to showcase the quality of Lexus' in-car audio systems. Hawkes composed two original pieces of music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra for these events held at Castle Howard and Crystal Palace, in August 2007.Hawkes at the University of Exeter Summer Ball, 2008Hawkes appeared in a musical, Can't Smile Without You (featuring songs of Barry Manilow). In the show, Hawkes plays the part of Tony Lowiman who falls in love with a girl called Mandy when he visits New York. Things take a turn for the worse when Tony is brutally attacked one night outside a club. The musical includes over 40 Barry Manilow songs. National tour started at the Liverpool Empire Theatre on 15 September 2008, prior to performances in the West End.[4]Hawkes appeared briefly in a cherry picker on Celebrity Big Brother (shown on 8 January 2009) on Channel 4. "The One and Only" was used as a cue to have contestants worship at a Chesney Hawkes shrine.In January 2011, Hawkes performed at the live finale of Louie Spence's Showbusiness.[5]During February and March 2011, he took part in the BBC series Let's Dance For Comic Relief.[6] He now performs a mixture of his own material and covers at University Freshers week. In May that year, Hawkes took part in the ITV series Sing If You Can.[7] In September, he appeared as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. On 24 December 2011, he appeared on the ITV programme Text Santa with Ant & Dec.Hawkes was due to take part on ITV's skating programme Dancing on Ice in 2012 but after fracturing his ankle, he had to pull out. He was replaced by Chico Slimani. In May, he played at Lakefest festival.[8] In December, he appeared as an accident-prone version of himself in the ITV comedy drama Panto!.In 2015, Hawkes competed in Celebrity MasterChef on BBC One. He was eliminated in the first of the semi-finals of the show