Although Gabrielle is recording songs for her new release with the producer, the track “Hollywood” is to feature on the forthcoming Naughty Boy LP entitled, “Hotel Cabana”.

Gabrielle says,

“I’m really excited to be involved with Naughty boy’s album, Hotel Cabana. He is not only an amazing producer but the other artists involved are also amazing, Emeli Sandé, Tinie Tempah and Ed Sheran, all on one album, I’m pre-ordering my copy now!
I’m honoured he asked me to record a track, I don’t often sing other peoples songs but I love the song he’s co-written with Emeli, how could I not jump at the chance to be involved in such a great project”

In regards to Gabrielle’s own upcoming release she wants to re-assure fans things are moving along really well.

Chart-topping British singer talks on life, music and eye patches

It’s not long since you were last in these parts playing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2010. What have you been up to since then?
Writing my new album. I write from experience so it takes a while. When it’s finished people can stop their moaning.

It’s been a good five years since the last one.
You know better than me love, I can’t even think how long it’s been! There’s all these exciting artists at the moment – Adele dominating, we’ve just had the Brits in the UK… it’s an exciting time for music.
Click here to find out more!

What did you make of the Brits this year?
I do believe that Ed Sheeran and Adele were good. I’m not going to slag off the Brits, I’ve got two in my possession.

Any exciting collaborators on the new album?
There’s one person that no one will ever expect – if I can pull it off let’s just say my son will be very impressed. Otherwise it’s just me, me, me.

You’ve sold millions already – surely you never need to work again?
It’s not about never working again. Music is my first love, man. There are people like Madonna that don’t stop. What else am I going to do? I’m going to do what I love doing most.

You shared a stage with George Benson in Dubai. Are you a fan?
He’s fantastic – he’s from back in the days of my mother. It’s always amazing to meet someone like that – I played with Al Green and Macy Gray and it was the same feeling.

What’s Al like?
He’s lovely, very encouraging. When he goes on stage you don’t want to go on after him.

Why was your fourth album, 2004’s Play to Win, a flop?
I think that’s less to do with me than the choice of singles, I’m still very proud of that one. Some [albums] are more successful than others, but I loved them all. I’m responsible for them all and I don’t think any of them are bad. You win some and you lose some, really that’s all it is.

How many more albums have you got in you?
No idea… I was going to say ‘as long as I’m here I’ll be doing music’, but Amy (Winehouse) said that.

Were you two friends?
No, but I was a big fan. She was absolutely amazing.

On a lighter note, everyone remembers the patches you wore on your lazy eye. How many did you own?
I had loads! They weren’t that strong so I’d be on stage singing and they’d pop right off.

As a PR stunt, it worked.
It was a necessity that worked in my favour. It was a bit gimmicky, but I wasn’t a gimmick.

Why have you never done any reality TV?
I think it’s disgusting, I couldn’t do it. The idea of sharing a toilet – you couldn’t pay me enough for that. There’s nothing on earth that could make me.

By Karl Baz
Originally posted on Time Out Abu Dhabi, 20 March 2012

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The legendary and absolutely lovely George Benson and myself

Dubai was amazing, but there is no place like home!

Gabrielle says,

I’m working on an album. It’s going to be an up-to-date version of what I do… I’ve hooked up with a couple of great producers who’ve allowed me to be me but they’ve come with this flavour which is kind of retro in parts but still very Gabrielle and I’m having a ball. I’ve actually gone to the studio and been dancing. I never dance in the studio! So it will still be Gabrielle but hopefully an up to date Gabrielle.

There are lots of female artists out at the moment – Emeli Sande, Rebecca Ferguson, Lana Del Rey – and the prospect of being a part of that again is great. There’s a couple of collaborations in there that I can’t talk about at the moment.

Follow Gabrielle’s tweets @Gabrielleuk for updates as they happen. #GabrielleComeback

Well what a morning….. Singer and now Lunetier regular Lisa London came into the store a couple of weeks ago and walked out with a couple of awesome sunglasses (check previous posts). Today she popped back in with a close friend and someone I was only to pleased to see, singer, songwriter and all round wicked person Gabrielle…

Read the full blog post at LunetierVintage.com

By Nyree McFarlane, Deputy Editor, Scene
Originally published: March 8, 2012 at gulfnews.com

Gabrielle

On her trip to Dubai

Last time I was there was a while back, but we had a lovely experience. We stayed at the Burj Al Arab and I was just thinking, ‘Wow, this is amazing’. I’m looking forward to getting out there and I look forward to hearing all of your voices – you included! – singing the songs. Whichever is your favourite, just sing it loud, honey!

Out of Reach (2001)

I was given the book [Bridget Jones' Diary] on the sly by the head of my record company in 1999 just before I went on holiday. Then he told me they wanted to turn it into a movie and me to do a song. Instantly I knew what I was going to write about. It was inspired by the book, but it was funny because I was quite close with someone at that point and they asked, ‘Was that song about me?’ and I was like, ‘In your dreams!’ I couldn’t believe how big-headed he was!

Rise (2000)

I’ve done shows when people come up to me and say, ‘I was going through a difficult time and your song helped me out of it.’ Music means so much to people and the idea that you can aid people is a beautiful thing. When I wrote Rise I was coming out of something very negative. So now I really sing it – I can sing it now without the tears, which is amazing. It was difficult to write, there were times I didn’t think I’d finish it.

Dreams (1993)

This song is about getting knocked back. A lot of people said you know, ‘We can take your career here’ but it wasn’t happening. So, the line ‘move a step closer, you know that I want you,’ everybody associates with a relationship, but it was actually about how every time I stepped closer to my dreams they seemed to be backing up because people weren’t fulfilling all of their promises.

The music she loves

The David Gray White Ladder album took me out of a really bad time. Babylon was a song I had on repeat. It was the darkest of times, and he lifted me out of it, so he needs to come out with another album! But I also love anything by Adele or Amy Winehouse – oh and You The Boss by Rick Ross with Nicki Minaj and P Diddy – it’s such a hip hop song!

What’s next?

I’m working on an album. It’s going to be an up-to-date version of what I do. There are lots of female artists out at the moment – Emily Sandez, Rebecca Ferguson, Lana Del Rey – and the prospect of being a part of that again is great. There’s a couple of collaborations in there that I can’t talk about at the moment. I’ve got a deadline coming up that’s a bit arrgh! They want something out by September, hopefully I’ll make it as us artists can sort of take our time on things and I’m notorious for that!