ADELE
19
XL Recordings / Columbia Records

The last time I was this moved by a songwriter was the first time I heard Ani DiFranco. Adele is just 19 years old and has an ability to weave words and wisdom together as if she’s been around much longer. Add to that a voice that is so striking and soulful it’ll leave you suspended in time just hanging onto her words and phrasing. Her influences include Billie Holiday, Etta James and Peggy Lee, but the pendulum swings wide and she’s also inspired by the likes of The Cure and Jeff Buckley. The beautiful, full-figured, young Brit speaks, sings and writes with an East End accent (working class), which only adds to her earthy appeal. When discussing her weight she’s said, “I don’t actually care. I don’t want to be on the cover of Playboy or Vogue, I want to be on the cover of Rolling Stone or Q. I’m not a trend-setter, I’m a singer.” Columbia Records inked a deal with Adele’s worldwide label XL Records to break the youthful chanteuse in the states. Since debuting on MySpace in 2004, she has received nearly 3.5 million profile views! The phenom entered the UK Album Chart #1 and 19 has already been certified Platinum in her homeland! The single, “Chasing Pavements” is a global hit and promises to be a smash on several radio formats here in the U.S. We’re delighted to welcome Adele to our world of Smooth! Thanks for the burst of articulated, raw expression… it's been sorely missed 'round these parts. ~SANDY SHORE