Florence And The Machine Cover Drake and Rihanna's "Take Care"

Did you ever imagine that Florence Welch would be a Drake fan? I'm not sure I did- not that I'd given it much thought, I must admit- but she vocalised her like of the Canadian star not only directly, calling him one of her favourite artists- along with Rihanna- but also musically, by choosing to cover the title track of his new album Take Care.

Take Care is a dark and atmospheric duet between Drake and Rihanna that musically is based heavily on the Jamie XX remix of a Gil Scott-Heron track I'll take care of you. The Drake remake is also produced by Jamie XX but features some additional production by Noah Shebib. It's a pretty good song, but nonetheless, one I wouldn't have expected Florence And The Machine to cover. But perhaps that was the point.

Minnie Riperton- Vocal Range/ Profile

Minnie Riperton

Vocal Type:Soprano
Vocal Range: 4 Octaves 2 note and a semi-tone D3-F#7
Whistle Register: Yes
Vocal Strengths: A technical singer, who was operatically trained. Amazing control allowed for effortlessly sustained notes in all parts of the range and brilliant command of dynamics. In combination with this, Minnie possessed a fluidity and a dexterity that made it possible for melisma to be used throughout the registers.

The lowest notes were of medium weight, and of a darker colouring to the rest of the voice. But it was a few notes above this, in her mid-range, that the Diva began to exhibit the mastery that flows throughout the rest of range- being easy, carefree and full of character. Though not often as appreciated as her higher notes, this part was the most emotive and expressive. From sensual and alluring [Inside My Love] to being tinged with Indignance and annoyance [Take A Little Trip], it was here that Minnie sounded most human, unimpeded by the ethereal and unearthly quality her higher range would often impart to the lyric.

The overall lightness of the voice lent itself best to the upper register, with the chest voice being expertly mixed so that a high fifth octave belt displayed none of the usual signs of strain or pull [Reasons]. Notes sung here were elastic and controlled, with the timbre and colouring being changed depending on the ratio of head to chest voice used in the mix.

The head voice itself was bright and resilient and could switch between a lighter, softer pop styling [Young Willing And Able] or a fuller, grander operatic tone [Stay In Love ]. Minnie sounded to be extremely comfortable here, hitting and accessing notes without issue. Like between the chest and head voice, she ascended up into the next register, seemingly without break. This effectively gave the illusion of a seamlessly connected range. [Listen to her climb it in the climax of Can You Feel What I'm Saying]

Her whistle register, which is unfairly what she is most often remembered for, was bright and versatile; allowing for her to enunciate words within it [Back Down Memory Lane], mimic instruments and copy intricate birdsong [Loving You]. The timbre and tone could also be manipulated, being biting and direct in one song [Here We Go] and less obtrusive and soft in another[Inside My Love]. Minnie could access this part of the range swiftly, and repeated did so from different parts of the lower ranger.

Despite it's overarching delicate, feminine and sweet nature, the voice exhibited a power that wasn't attained from volume or brute vocal force, but clever use of skill, range and emotive ability.

Vocal Weaknesses: The bottom extreme of the range wasn't as strong, or versatile as the higher parts.

Has Pregnancy Strengthened Mariah Carey's Voice?

There has been much- well some- buzz about the return of Mariah Carey, after the singer made a startling revelation in an interview that her pipes had become stronger because of her pregnancy. [Watch the interview below]

Single Review: JoJo "Disaster"

JoJo is back with first single, Disaster, from her third, upcoming 2012 album, Jumping Trains. Originally finding her biggest success as a teenager with début single Leave (Get Out) way back in 2004, the singer- songwriter has returned, out of her teens- though, only barely at 20- readying herself to make the difficult leap from teenage star to it's adult equivalent.

What better way to do this then by adding a rock tinge to the music. Sure, it's clichéd and predicable, but if it works who cares. The question is, does it work for JoJo on Disaster?

Album review: Rihanna "Rated R"+ "Loud" = "Talk that Talk"

I wasn't really that a big of a fan of Rihanna's last album Loud. Loved some of the singles like Only Girl (In the world) and S and M, as well as the sexy album cut Skin, but for me it had it's fingers in too many musical pies to really be considered an album of real merit. Well, Rihanna seems to have learnt her lesson in that year away from the studio, and has returned more focused and confident on Talk that Talk.

Beyonce performs "Countdown" Live on Jimmy Fallon

I had assumed Beyonce had given up on latest album 4 after releasing pretty much half the album and not gaining any traction with the wider music world or its charts. Yes, it was better received by critics than any of her other albums- I liked it- and yes it was a record supposedly "for the fans" but don't be fooled, Beyonce is all about the numbers. Perhaps that's why, like a dog with a bone, Beyonce won't let this album go.

Enya Vocal Profile/ Range:

Enya

Vocal Type: Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal Range: 1 Octaves 5 notes (G3-E5)
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Strengths: Predominately breathy, warm and light voice with a soft and airy quality to it that extends throughout. The voice can also be more solid, and rounded in tone- though could never be described as weighty. When this fuller tone is used in the fifth octave it can produce a light, operatic like colour to it. As stated the voice harmonizes brilliantly and layers well to produce unisons that retain lightness, warmth and the voice's intrinsic ethereal character.
Vocal Weaknesses: Her voice, due to its airy quality, can be seen as as having a weak tone.
Must Hear: Orinoco Flow, Far and Away, The First of Autumn, May It Be, Only If, Only Time and Long Long Journey