CLIVE’S DIVINE DIVAS
His J/RMG prodigy Alicia Keys’ chart-topping As I Am album, garnering some of the best reviews of her career, is off to a brilliant start, with a #1 debut, now over one million in sales in just its second week.
Commented Clive: “Alicia continues to grow amazingly as a songwriter, as an arranger, a producer and as an artist. She is literally soaring right now with the best songs of her career. She doesn't look to current trends, but stays steadfast in her pursuit of great music, and she's hitting the center of the target time and time again.”
Next year, he’s already lined up yet another certain superstar in Leona Lewis, winner of The X-Factor, the U.K.’s version of American Idol, who recently stormed the U.K. charts with her debut album, Spirit, which entered the chart at #1 as the fastest-selling bow in that country’s history, selling more than 375k its first week.
“Leona has one of the most impressive new voices to come around in the last several years,” commented Davis. “She has a huge range, a distinctive sound, and is a natural. The entire recording process has truly been a terrific experience. It’s an absolute thrill to see Leona's single and album explode in the U.K. We’re now diligently preparing for her major U.S. debut, taking nothing for granted but knowing that this prodigious talent will win out.”
Spirit will be released here on J Records/Cyco March 18, proceeded by her single, “Bleeding Love,” which has topped the U.K. charts for five straight weeks, and will be available Jan. 14. Approaching 600k sold to date, it’s the biggest single of the year in England.
“American Idol has been a wonderful partnership for us,” added Davis. “With the TV competition having a phenomenal batting average in discovering special artists, and then with A&R partnering the rest, it’s been a spectacular relationship.”
