Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3N
Hailing from Detroit, Bob Seger achieved his first nationwide hit with “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” in 1968. He went on to enjoy a string of hits in the 1970s, forming the Silver Bullet Band in 1974.
This week we’ll enjoy some of his huge hits – Night Moves, Against The Wind … as well as some lesser known hits.
Their first album in seven years received generally favourable reviews. A great sound, and in the absence of much in the way of exciting new releases a good chance to check out an album we didn’t get a chance to feature back in May.
The Eurythmics were an inescapable force in 1980s pop. A duo consisting of vocalist Annie Lennox and musician Dave Stewart, both contributing their songwriting talents. After a less than happy experience in the band “The Tourists” they decided to become a duo in the early 1980s in a hotel in Wagga Wagga, Australia of all places. Their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) was a massive smash hit and led to a decade of success. Annie Lennox subsequently released outstanding solo music while Dave Stewart has been an in-demand producer (although they’ve rejoined for a couple of projects since.
We’ve been looking forward to this one from Aussie singer-songwriter Amy Shark since her breakthrough last year, including her great EP Night Thinker. Aside from “Adore” this album features a new lineup of songs with some really solid efforts. Everyone will have their favourites but “I Said Hi” is one we’ve really been enjoying as a preview single. This album deserves to do well – the critics have certainly been kind.
Odette – Lights Out
Tiesto – Tear It Down (from the Hotel Transylvania 3 Soundtrack)
Niall Horan – Finally Free (from the Small Foot Movie Soundtrack)
Gorillaz – Tranz
UB40 came together in 1978 in Birmingham, the eight band members beginning performing in 1979. From the beginning they played popular reggae songs, and got their break when the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde saw them playing at a pub and offered them the opportunity to play as her backing band. Astonishingly their first single reached no. 4 on the UK charts. We’ll play a few tracks this week from their first album Signing Off.
Florence & The Machine – Big God
James Vincent McMorrow – Me and My Friends
Mitski – Nobody
Jack River – Confess
Kota Banks – Child
As a 15 year old he joined the Spencer Davis Group, his talent on the keyboard and amazing vocals resulting in two big hit singles (Gimme Some Lovin’, I’m A Man). At 19 he formed the band Traffic, and worked with Eric Clapton in Blind Faith. The 80s saw another era for his talent to flower in slick pop tracks off albums like Back In the High Life. We look forward to sampling his varied output over four decades through the week.