I have to confess I approached the debut single ‘Back It Up’ from Caro Emerald (out October 4th) with a good deal of trepidation. Any single that comes equipped with its own special dance moves on the back is usually a sure sign of twattishness within.

The initial blast of horns troubled me a little as well (I thought we were heading down Mambo No 5 routes) but I have to say that’s where the negativity ends. The track immediately settles into a warm shuffle groove with sparing stabs of brass and pop/step beats that give it half decent crossover credentials. Top it all off with a sharp confident vocal that drips with a little bit of 50’s styling and plays out with no showboating and you have a pleasant little pop nugget that manages to charm.

Win…

..now what the hell am I going to do with this pot of boiling vitriol I had all stoked up and ready.,2010-08-31 12:21:03.240,12,,Caro Emerald,,,35,,,Active,,,,3B7F9280-762E-4669-BD34-FE5A137A01A9
1383,Live From Mars?,From Honolulu To London…,Introducing multitalented singer/songwriter/producer, Bruno Mars, who is set to release his debut single ‘Just The Way You Are’ on October 4 via Elektra/Atlantic Records, with his debut album set for release early next year. Bruno will also be heading to UK shores this autumn to play his first ever UK show: YoYo at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club on Thursday September 2.

Bruno Mars (born Peter Hernandez) is set to take the UK by storm with his captivating melodies and buoyant voice. The sensation has already catapulted himself to the top of the charts in the UK – he lent his vocals to two huge crossover RIAA Platinum-certified anthems, earning himself immediate acclaim: B.o.B’s #1 smash ‘Nothin’ On You’, which is currently A-Listed at Capital, 1Xtra, Galaxy Network and Radio 1, and has so far sold a staggering 320,000 copies in the UK alone. The singer also features on Travie McCoy’s feel-good summer track, ‘Billionaire’, which is currently enjoying huge support from Choice, Kiss, 1Xtra and Radio 1, where it also achieved ‘Record Of The Week’ on Scott Mills’ show. Moreover, Bruno’s debut single ‘Just The Way You Are’ is already B-listed at Capital FM and 1Xtra and has also received numerous plays the Galaxy network.

Hailing from Honolulu, Hawaii and born into a musical family (his father, a Latin percussionist and mother, a talented vocalist) Bruno states why he has an eclectic mix of influences coming from reggae, R&B, folk and rock ‘n’ roll – “Hawaii is basically in the middle of the world, so you’re exposed to every type of music over there.” Highly anticipated debut single, ‘Just The Way You Are’, which is already inside top ten on iTunes in the US, confirms Bruno’s flair for heartfelt lyricism, smooth golden vocals and infectious beats.

Having moved to Los Angeles straight from high school to pursue his musical career, Bruno teamed up with friends Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine to form the highly demanded production/songwriting team, ‘The Smeezingtons’. The trio went onto craft a number of massive hits including Flo Rida’s ‘Right Round’, Brandy’s ‘Long Distance’ and K’NAAN’s international #1 Fifa World Cup song, ‘Wavin’ Flag’. Bruno released his debut EP ‘It’s Better If You Don’t Understand’ in the US this year, it peaked at #1 on the iTunes pop chart. Asked about the themes of the EP, he explains – “It’s hard to put myself in a box… I just write songs that I strongly believe in and that are coming from inside. There are no tricks. It’s honesty with big melodies. And I’m singing the s*** out of them.”