DEAD CAN DANCE singer LISA GERRARD had released a new album ' Immortal Memory', her first for five years. The album is a collaboration with the award-winning Irish composer Patrick Cassidy, whom Gerrard met in Los Angeles while working on the soundtrack for 'Gladiator'.

Australia and Ireland combine to produce a remarkable record of ethereal beauty and transcendental imagination. Dead Can Dance vocalist Lisa Gerrard and classical composer Patrick Cassidy came together over a cup of tea whilst Gerrard was working on the score to Gladiator. After much deliberation Cassidy decided to join Gerrard in her Australian studio and together they worked on the extraordinary pieces of music that fill æImmortal MemoryÆ. Having reaped the benefits of their differing approaches to writing, Gerrard and Cassidy have produced one of the most astonishing albums of 2004.

The album leads the listener on a magical journey, which encompasses majestic sweeps of sound that wrap themselves around the phenomenal voice of Gerrard. Startlingly Gerrard sings in Gaelic and Aramaic, an interesting quirk that gives the whole experience an otherworldly quality.

As one of last year's success stories, Junior Jack has cleaned up with 2003's biggest club record "E-Samba" and the years biggest selling dance record, alongside the Pacha / DJ Awards 'Record of the Season' and 'Best New Comer'. In true Junior Jack style 'Da Hype' is another twisted premiere division tune denotating dancefloors with its incendiary groove! Da Hype will secure his presence in every DJ's box from now till summer 2004 ahead of the debut album Trust It set for release in February. With an array of killer mixes to come including The Cure's Robert Smith adding his vocals, Da Hype is starting it's lethal journey.

Robert Smith - who's he then?

Robert Smith just 17 years old  formed The Cure during the embryonic years of Punk, the lead singer with his unique and  distinctive Vocal sound quickly became an alternative force before alternative was the norm. The Cure's extraordinary career has been highlighted by a run of chart-topping hit singles, including "Boys don't cry" and "Love Cats", countless awards, Including Q Magazines 'Best Inspiration Award' given earlier this year and an international fan base who follow the band with near religious fervour. Junior Jack who  has been a long time fan says "A few years before he seemed to be untouchable, but then I worked with him - it's cool!"

Robert Smith is also featured on a new solo album 'Zig Zag' from David Bowie collaborator Earl Slick. The album also features collaborations with Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott, Stray Cats' Slim Jim Phantom, former Whitesnake singer David Coverdale and David Bowie.

GEORGE MICHAEL has made his new single 'Amazing' available as a download from his website for fans who can't wait for the official release date to be announced. The single has already been released to radio and 'Patience', George Michael's first album of original songs since 1996's 'Older', is due for release in March.

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN are in the studio working on a new album which is expected for release later this year.

ERASURE are in the studio working on a new album, and will be posting news and pictures of their progress on their official website. The new album is expected to be ready for release this year but no release date is set and no album title has been announced.

SIOBHAN FAHEY has two dates coming up... the former BANANARAMA singer will perform 'She's Lost Control' on February 4th at the launch party for the 'Agent Provocateur' album on which the track is featured, followed by a DJ set at Punx Soundcheck at The Cock in London on February 6th.
BANANARANA meanwhile have been working with Swedish production team Korpi and Blackcell on their new material and are currently working towards releasing a new single in Spring followed by an album in the Summer.

KAJAGOOGOO's NICK BEGGS is currently in the studio working on material for his new band Industrial Salt. Described as a cross between Blondie and Garbage, Beggs is hoping to have material to play to prospective labels in May. In the meantime Nick will be performing live with ABC and sorting out a deal for his new Chapman Stick album 'The Maverick Helmsman'.

RICK ASTLEY will release a new album 'Love Songs' on February 9th. The compilation of previously released material will include remixed and alternative versions. Astley is also planning a DVD release for later in the year and has recently written the score for a new Danish film 'Oh Happy Day'.

DURAN DURAN will release their two epic live films 'Sing Blue Silver' and 'Arena' on DVD on April 5th. Both releases feature bonus material. 'Arena' comes in two parts 'Arena', the band's fantasy film woven around a concert in California's Oakland Stadium comes with 'The Making Of Arena' featuring behind the scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew and will be packaged in a clamshell box complete with poster-booklet and a sticker sheet. 'Sing Blue Silver' was filmed on Duran's 1984 US tour and was filmed over 79 days.