With the likes of Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Kate Nash putting female artists back on the map, 2008 looks set to be a great year for up and coming songstresses. Here's three new talents for you to look out for.Victoria HartShe was the singing waitress who wowed A list stars on board a yacht in Cannes. Now Victoria Hart is back and is set to pay homage to her beloved genre, proving she is the sassiest and sexiest jazz musician of the modern era.With her natural nonchalance, pretty looks, a dazzling smile and a voice that moves men to tears, Victoria is the perfect person to herald the return of romance. Blonde, ultra-feminine, slightly retro, with more than a hint of the starlet about her, she moves with the confidence of a woman who knows shes being looked at.Her new EP Mood Swings is a collection of beautifully recorded songs, including an innovative interpretation of Addicted to Love which shows off her vocal ability and charming gift in knowing just how to deliver a line. The lyrics are based on her unfashionably romantic view of the world, set against a backdrop of pop, jazz, swing and blues.Victoria is also embarking on an exciting new project for 2008 with the release of newly recorded Gershwin tracks that have lain undiscovered for many years. She has poured her heart and soul into ensuring she does these tracks the justice they deserve and does so in a way that puts her musically alongside greats, such as Doris Day, Peggy Lee and, of course, Marilyn Monroe.
Mood Swings will be released on February 25th 2008.
Nayo
We first caught up with Nayo at the beginning of December to speak to her about her new album. Now she's back for 2008 with her new album African Girl. Full of beautifully crafted lyrics and smooth melodies it's tipped for big things.
Nayo is no ordinary girl. Born Temitope Odunayo Abidoye in Lagos, Nigeria, she arose from the tragedy of losing her father through the power of music, faith and hope.
Growing up amidst the harsh realities of her troubled nation she enjoyed the likes of Astrud Gilberto, Sade and the politically charged lyrics of Nigeria's own Fela Kuti.
Nayo looked inward and sought to turn around her tragedy into something positive. With this renewed sense of determination, she relocated to the UK shortly after and has been working on this new album
Remixes of the track African Girl immediately found its way to Number 11 on the UK Club Chart and on to the Ministry of Sounds 'HedKandi Serve Chilled' compilation.
New single Desert Storm, is an ode to the Sahara. Co-written with KK (who has worked with Dido and Kylie Minogue), the track features strong influences of jazz, trip hop and bossanova.
With so much more to come, Nayos smooth vocal style and exciting dance remixes are going to take the UK by storm and her new album Desert Storm and African Girl will melt away your winter blues.
Desert Storm is due for release on 4th February with the album African Girl to follow on 11th February.
Valeriya
In recent years, Russian politicians and businessmen have taken centre stage in the Western world. Now Russian superstar Valeriya will follow in their footsteps and looks set to take the UK by storm.
She has sold millions of albums, regularly sells out stadiums and boasts the similar stardom status as the likes of Madonna and Celine Dion.
Revealed in the August issue of Forbes magazine, in the list of the 50 best paid Russian celebrity actors, athletes, authors and musicians, Valeriya was ranked 9th.
She has recorded eight top-selling albums and has shot 30 videos. She is recording her next album and collaborating with famous European songwriters and sound-producers.
Valeriya was the first Russian artist to team with top professionals in the music business to record and release her debut album in English. Recordings of "The Taiga Symphony" (1992), written by Vitaliy Bondarchuk and Richard Nyles, took place at the studios in London, Munich and Moscow and attracted musicians from Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Pet Shop Boys , and Pavel Kogan's Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.
2001 marked a turning point in Valeriya's life. At the peak of her fame, Valeriya suddenly broke her contract with her manager/ husband and father of her three children and left show-business. Since then, Valeriya's name has never left the headlines of Russian press. Her private life has been in the full glare of publicity.
After rejecting all business offers from major Russian record-labels and managers Valeriya retreated to a low-key home with her children. However, when Russian music manager Joseph Prigozhin, president of Nox Music offered her a recording contract and she was catapulted to super-stardom status.
The new peak in Valeriya's spectacular career was when her single Chasicki stayed at the top of the charts for a mind-blowing 15 weeks. She won the People's Choice "The Gold Gramophone" award and won the award of Russian Sound Recording Industry Record- 2001 for Radio Hit of the Year.
She has also won several other awards including the Order for the Revival of Russia presented to outstanding statesmen and public figures who make a 'Substantial contribution to the revival of Russia.'
Valeriya has become the face of ad campaigns for many beauty products and Valeriya is currently launching her first fragrance "De Lery".
She also designed jewellery for Russian company Smolenesk Diamonds.
Valeriyas sheer determination matched with her talent and beauty has allowed her to rise to the top of the Russian music and entertainment industry. Now it looks like she'll be hitting the UK too.