“Great, Great record” (Sunday Telegraph) debuted at #1 on the UK top albums chart in September and is Paul Weller’s first stateside studio album since 1997. Rare Coast-to-Coast Tour Confirmed for February ‘03! "Illumination," Paul Weller’s grand new album — already called “his best work in ages” — is set for US release January 14 (Yep Roc), in an expanded version that includes several UK b-sides and a bonus DVD with videos for the first two singles in the UK (“It’s Written In The Stars” and “Leafy Mysteries”) and 5 live songs (videos) from a concert in London’s 22,000 capacity Hyde Park in July 2002.

Weller’s music has defined eras, informed generations, dictated fashion and dominated airwaves. Since 1977, he’s compiled an
astonishing star track record of 57 Top 40 hit singles and 26 Top 40 albums (as leader of The Jam, The Style Council and as a solo
artist).

At turns yearning and gritty, tender and tough, Illumination is a stirring 13-song, blue-eyed-soul-infused collection of propulsive beau-tiful ballads and pastoral pop, sweet serenades and pleading entreaties. On this his 6th solo album, Weller has enlisted a number of friends and acolytes: additional musicians on the album include Noel Gallagher & Gem Archer (Oasis); Steve Cradock & Damon Minchella (Ocean Color Scene); Kelly Jones (Stereophonics); and Aziz Ibrahim (ex-Stone Roses).

"Illumination" was produced and written by Paul Weller with two tracks, including the first single, co-produced by Noonday
Underground’s Simon Dine. The tracks were recorded at Weller’s own Black Barn Studios in Surrey and Noel Gallagher’s Wheeler End
in Buckinghamshire.

Besides impressing fans in the UK, who awarded Weller with a #1 album debut and another hit single there (“It’s Written
In The Stars,” with a #7 debut, was his highest solo chart single debut), "Illumination" has been embraced by the English press:

“Illumination is already being described by the Weller massive as the best solo album of his career. You’ll hear few arguments with that from this corner.”- Daily Mail

“Let’s not beat around the bush here, this is a great, great record- definitely one of Weller’s finest- which you could only possibly dis-like if you can’t stand the man and see no merit in anything he has done ever.”-The Sunday Telegraph

“... his best work in ages...”-The Guardian

“Sure Shot!”-Q

“Weller returns to form with a spirited, joyous album.”- NME

Weller, with a 6-piece band, will tour North America for the month of February, his first major tour here since the mid-90s (he played
6 shows in America in Summer 2001. He’s playing at the top of form, with the UK’s Daily Mail writing “the singer dug deep into his gritty rhythm and blues roots, sounding more raucous than he has in years...”
Related Links:

http://www.paulweller.com


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