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MORRISSEY was honoured at this week's GQ Magazine awards in London, where he received the Best Solo Artist accolade.

DEPECHE MODE have announced dates for the US leg of their forthcoming 'Playing The Angel' tour. The band will kick off the twenty-two date US and Canadian tour on November 2nd and finish on December 8th.??The band will release two versions of their forthcoming new studio album 'Playing The Angel'; a standard 11 track CD and a deluxe version which includes a bonus DVD. 'Precious' will be released on two CDs and a DVD single.

EURYTHMICS are to release a new career-spanning retrospective 'The Ultimate Collection' which will also feature two new songs from the duo; 'Was It Just Another Love Affair' and 'I've Got A Life'. The album is due for a November release and 'I've Got A Life' will be released as a single on October 31st.

CHINA CRISIS will play a rare gig at Liverpool's Institute of Performing Arts on September 16th. The gig will be filmed and recorded for possible live release.

SHAKATAK filmed their recent Japanese show at the Tokyo Duo Music Exchange for a forthcoming live DVD release. The band have also just released a 2-CD live CD 'Easier Said Than Done'.

THE B-52s' singers, KATE PIERSON and CINDY WILSON, have provided vocals for a new track, 'Take My Time', from dance act Junior Senior. The track will feature on the forthcoming Junior Senior album 'Hey Hey My My Yo Yo'.

RICK ASTLEY has added an Irish show to his forthcoming dates and will play at Dublin's Olympia Theatre on November 27th. KYLIE MINOGUE's 'Showgirl' tour had been captured for a DVD release which is expected to be released in time for Christmas. JESUS JONES have had their single 'Right Here Right Now' sampled by remixer Robbie Riviera for a forthcoming single 'Right Here' which is due for an October 24th release date... T'PAU, CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT and THE REAL THING have all been confirmed to appear at RUSTY EGAN's London clubnight 'Gold' during September.