RUTHIE FOSTER
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Ruthie Foster is the latest blues, gospel and soul sensation from Austin Texas. Since her debut album Full Circle in 1997 her career has been steadily blossoming for close to a decade winning thousands of fans across North America and Europe. Blending contemporary folk with old-school gospel and blues with dazzling efficiency, and showcasing a powerhouse voice Ruthie drew favorable comparisons to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin, huge praise indeed. Her latest release is The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster a classic soul album whose title apes the swagger and the style of the great soul singers from that classic period in American popular music. "You got it honey- you shout about it!, and Ruthie certainly has. Not to be missed.

DELINE BRISCOE
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Deline Briscoe was one half of The Briscoe Sisters- beautiful, singing Yalanji girls from tropical Queensland who won "Maton's Young Talent of the Year" at the Port Fairy Festival last year. Deline did the majority of the songwriting for the Brisoe Sisters and she has just embarked on a solo career after relocating to Melbourne. Performing with percussionist Airi Ingram, formerly of the Papua New Guinea group Drum Drum, she brings a lovely fresh approach with the use of her traditional language compositions, dynamic songwriting and her vibrant rainforest soul.