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All Hail the Prince of East London

Posted on: Sunday, 6 July 2008, 09:00 CDT

By Sonia Zhuravlyova

THE WORD ON THE WEB

Leon Jean Marie is one of the most talked-about musical whiz- kids to come out of east London in recent years. After a stint in an R&B boy band, the 24-year-old reinvented himself as a hot-to-trot singer-songwriter, specialising in a chart-friendly melange of funk, pop, R&B, dub and rock. His pick'n'mix attitude has drawn comparisons to Prince - but, of course, that's no bad thing.

He's even got Mark Ronson on his side: the ubiquitous producer leant his skills to Jean Marie's single "Bed of Nails". His debut album, 'Bent Out of Shape', is out tomorrow, and it's a cracker. Step aside, indie no-hopers; Leon Jean Marie is here to stay.

angryape.com

"His vibrant sets and personable nature have won Leon many friends as he stoically attempts to make his brand of R&B/Funk palatable to as wide ranging an audience as possible."

list.co.uk

"This talented Londoner must listen to many artists in his dreadlocked head to conjure up such interesting pop brilliance. Homage is paid to everything from the Specials' ska-reggae rhythms to Kylie/Britney bubble-gum synths."

subba-cultcha.com

"It would be unfair that the fantastic sounds currently coming out of my stereo are all down to the production. Leon Jean Marie's lightweight summery pop is awash with jangly guitars and delicious breakbeats, totally of his own making."

joinerslive.co.uk

"Imagine a 21st-century Terence Trent D'Arby with a sprinkling of early Prince and you'll get an idea of the vibe. Leon's brand of music is caught somewhere between a rock and a dance place."

lostinyourinbox.com

"Leon Jean Marie's sound has been described as 'urgent future- funk'. Couldn't have said it better myself. I love the urgency of the bass line. It's got just the right combination of get-your-bad- self-moving grooves and raw, edgy guitar riffs."

(c) 2008 Independent on Sunday, The. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.

Source: Independent on Sunday, The

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