New York, NY (Top40 Charts) As Billy Ocean celebrates his 70th birthday this month, it is today announced he will release his first album of new material in 10 years - "
One World". The album will be released on 17 April 2020 with the title single, also called One World available from today, following its premiere on BBC
Radio 2 this morning.
Later this year Billy will head out on The One World tour in the autumn. This follows the recent news that he has been appointed to MBE for his services to music at this year's New Year's Honours.
The album sees Billy reunite with producer Barry Eastmond who wrote and produced a number of Billy's biggest hits including When The Going Gets Tough and Love Zone. Recorded over the summer of 2019 in studios in Manchester and New York Billy co-wrote all 12 tracks on the album.
This release follows a spectacular few years for Billy. In 2018 he was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement in recognition of his international success and the enduring popularity of his music and, recently his iconic music videos have all been restored from original tapes and released in HD. In 2016, the album "Here You Are: The Best of Billy Ocean" debuted at number 4 on the UK albums chart, remaining in the top 10 for 3 weeks. It has since been certified Silver.
Billy Ocean said "One World' is my first original studio album in over 10 years. It's like a landmark for my 70th birthday! I feel this album reflects my maturity, and the many genres of music I've been exposed to - coming from the Caribbean as a little boy influenced by calypso music, to growing up in the East End of London, where music was so wonderfully diverse. I truly feel 'One World' has captured all of my musical influences over the years. The album reflects my thoughts, and the way that I feel at 70 years old, but most of all I hope that it will make people stop and think about life and its meaning."
Billy Ocean is a Grammy Award winner with worldwide sales of over 30 million. He hit the number one spot across three continents in the 70s and 80s, counting no fewer than six UK top 10 singles. 'Caribbean Queen' stormed to number one on both the US singles chart and US R&B chart and is amongst Billy's six US top 10 singles. With top 10 albums the world over, Billy has notched up an impressive three Platinum albums (including two which are certified 2x Platinum).
Track List
1. We Gotta Find Love
2. Love You More
3. Feel The Love
4. One World
5. When I Saw You
6. Mystery
7. Missing You Everyday
8. Can't Stand The Pain
9. Betcha Don't Know
10. All Over The World
11. Daylight
12. Nothing Will Stand In Our Way
Tour dates:
SEPTEMBER 2020
FRI 18. GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL
SAT 19 HARROGATE CONVENTION CENTRE
MON 21. LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL
WED 23. LEICESTER DE MONTFORT HALL
THU 24. CARDIFF ST DAVID'S HALL
SAT 26. OXFORD NEW THEATRE
SUN 27. STOKE REGENT
TUE 29. IPSWICH REGENT
WED 30. NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CONCERT HALL
OCTOBER 2020
FRI 02. BOURNEMOUTH IC
SUN 04. LONDON ROYAL ALBERT HALL
NOVEMBER 2020
FRI 06. BRIGHTON CENTRE
SAT 07. SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
MON 09. LLANDUDNO VENUE CYMRU THEATRE
WED 11. NEWCASTLE CITY HALL
FRI 13. MANCHESTER BRIDGEWATER HALL
SAT 14. BLACKPOOL OPERA HOUSE
MON 16. BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL
THU 19. CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE
FRI 20. BATH FORUM
SUN 22. SHEFFIELD CITY HALL
