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| Rumer Sets Debut Album "Seasons Of My Soul" Atlantic Records has announced the US release of "Seasons Of My Soul", the acclaimed debut album from British singer/songwriter Rumer. The award-winning collection arrives on January 24th, 2012. Rumer will herald the album's release with a number of eagerly anticipated US live performances. The schedule begins October 23rd with stops set for New York, Washington, DC and Philadelphia (see itinerary below). Additional North American dates are slated for early 2012 - complete details will be announced shortly. Fueled by the much-admired hit singles "Slow" and "Aretha, " "SEASONS OF MY SOUL" was a platinum certified popular success upon its UK release last year. What's more, the album proved an international sensation, reaching the top 10 in Belgium, Norway, Ireland, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. Moreover, "SEASONS OF MY SOUL" was a critical sensation, earning extraordinary acclaim for a debut album. Mojo hailed the collection as a five-star "Instant Classic, " praising Rumer for "(achieving) perfect balance between effusion and restraint... It's as if Rumer is laying bare humanity's soul, such is her ability to create intimacy and emotional depth within a song." "A mellifluous aural balm of jazz and soul, these are songs of yearning and loss, " declared Q in a four-starred rave, while Uncut applauded the album for its "dream-like melancholy, thanks to the tension between Rumer's sweet voice and her troubled lyrics." "Sensationally good, " affirmed The Sunday Times, "Rumer has one of those voices - a sort of confiding, conversational sigh, equal parts Laura Nyro, Karen Carpenter, Dusty Springfield, and Joni Mitchell - you would be happy to listen to for days and days." Rumer also received rapturous praise for her live performances, with Q extolling "a voice pure as a primary colour, dappling occasional light towards Carole King, more seldom Alison Goldfrapp, but for the most part a fiery phoenix rising from the unmistakable ashes of Karen Carpenter." "Her vocals are a deft blend of bright, shining delicacy and the darkness of genuine heartache, " declared The Independent of a headline appearance at London's famed Bloomsbury Theatre, with The Times proclaiming the show as "a classic pop moment." In addition, a performance at New York's Joe's Pub earned the admiration of the Daily News, who noted, "It's particularly gratifying in these melisma-mad days to hear a singer who doesn't throw her voice around athletically. Instead (Rumer) trusts the essential quality of her instrument to tell the tale." Rumer left school at 16 and drifted around England, attending Art College in Devon before joining a fledgling indie band, La Honda. Everything changed when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Rumer dealt with her pain by writing a series of intensely powerful songs, documenting her personal journey through grief. She returned to London upon her mother's death in 2003, performing anywhere and everywhere she could, ultimately catching the attention of producer/composer Steve Brown. Together the two musicians began crafting what would become "SEASONS OF MY SOUL." In addition, Rumer also had a fateful encounter with one of her personal heroes, the legendary Burt Bacharach, who flew her to Los Angeles after hearing the album's extraordinary first single, "Slow." Earning the master's approval was just the beginning of what's proven to be a somewhat dizzying ride for Rumer. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Jazz News :: home page |