Cool Hunting

It’s always been amazing to me how British music fans can completely and wholly rally around an artist, like Robbie Williams or Kylie and America just doesn’t pay any attention.

Such is the case with Ian Brown. Many of you likely know him as the frontman for the Stone Roses – ah, the Stone Roses, where dance music seamlessly meshed with rock. For without the Roses we wouldn’t have had Oasis, "Screamadelica"-era Primal Scream and countless other BritPop acts – even Coldplay. But, in America, the Stone Roses? It seems like people could care less.

Well now they should. Because Ian Brown is releasing his fourth – yes fourth – solo record. And it’s brilliant. It’s been out in the UK since last fall and it’s finally getting a proper release in the States on Feb. 22.

“Solarized” is unquestionably Brown’s best solo effort, with Latin horns, Middle Eastern beats, Noel Gallagher guesting and mysterious, brooding guitars – and of course his unmistakable Mancunian vocals.

Since the demise of the Roses in 1996, he’s managed to remain relevant – probably because he makes great music. And, despite saying he never would, he recently started playing the best Roses hits at his live shows in England creating quite a stir in the UK press. Even preceding the release of his own album, he contributed vocals to Reign, a track mixed by UNKLE that has gone on to be a huge club hit.

In a recent conversation, Brown told me he wants to come to America, more than just his few current dates in New York on Feb. 26 and LA and SF in mid March. The man’s been busy, not too busy to hit the States, but we need to show him the love.

Check out Solarized and spread the vibe.