Chris Mackrell

Have a look back at the music of 2014 and watch our single of the week playlist.

We’ve gone for a country music theme for our latest single of the week. Little Big Town the Alabama four piece have been performing since 1998 and recently won Vocal Group of the Year at the 2014 CMA awards. Their new album ‘Pain Killer’ came out earlier this year. The band will be doing a short tour of the UK in 2014 performing in London, Manchester and the O2 ABC […]

Our new single of the week comes from actor turned music producer Idris Elba’s new album ‘Mi Mandela’ a set of 11 songs inspired by Africa and Nelson Mandela. Idris has teamed up with acts including Shaun Escoffery, James Blake, Mr Hudson and Nothembi Mkhwebane. The single we have chosen from the album ‘You Give Me Love’ features Maverick Sabre on vocals. The album is available now and you can […]

‘She Moves’ (Far Away) is the 2014 debut single by German DJ and producer Alle Farben from his debut 15-track which includes collaborations with a number of artists, including Graham Candy. The single is out on the 7th of December and the album “Synesthesia - I Think in Colours” will be available next year. To find out more about the upcoming album or his live dates visit http://alle-farben.com

With a title like ‘Wrapped Up’ I was half expecting Olly Murs latest track to be a Christmas song (too soon, sorry) Infact ‘Wrapped Up’ sounds more like it should have been out in the summer along with the hits from Pharell and Nile Rodgers with the same happy clapping sound. The track, which features US rapper Travie McCoy, is Olly's lead single from new album 'Never Been Better'. He […]

Always popular at Black Diamond FM, Paloma Faith is no stranger to the playlist. Ready For The Good Life, which is set for UK release on November 9th, will featured on the reissue of Paloma’s latest album ‘A Perfect Contradiction’ The song was co-written by Paloma and Klas Ahlund, who has previously worked with the likes of Katy Perry and Madonna. After seeing her live at the Usher Hall last […]

Our latest single of the week comes from French producer ‘The Avener’ Having worked with many different artists he is now working on his first solo album "The Wanderings Of The Avener" which will be out in the coming months. ‘The Avener’ will be touring Europe well into 2014, unfortunately he hasn’t announced any UK dates yet. While you wait for his new album his new track ‘Fade Out Lines’ […]

‘People’ is the new song from London based singer songwriter Shaun Escoffery. This soulful track is taken from his new album ‘In The Red Room’ co-written and produced by Gil Cang, whose credits include writing "Whatever Happens" for Michael Jackson. When Shaun isn’t writing and performing his music he performs in musicals having been nominated for a Laurence Olivier for his work in the stage musical, Parade back in 2007. […]

As you know I’m normally against cover versions of songs. However, this cover by Annie Lennox caught me off guard. She has a brilliantly powerful voice that pulls off ‘I Put A Spell On You’ with what seems like ease, for someone approaching their 60th that’s impressive. Her new album ‘Nostalgia’ (released 27 October) is a departure from the norm for Lennox as she takes on Jazz. You can pre […]