Although she’s a main staple on the British music scene, it’s been a couple of years since Armatrading was last in North America. Back in 2000, she toured theatres for a month in the summer, selling out many shows. That year also saw her gigging in the U.K. and South Africa. After that, Armatrading took a much-needed break from the road.

Other than a couple “best of” albums – Love And Affection: Classics 1975-1983 (2003) and Universal Masters Collection (1997) – Armatrading hasn’t released any new work since 1995’s What’s Inside. So, her Lovers Speak will undoubtedly come as a welcome new album to her fans. The disc was just released at the end of March. Born on the isle of St. Kitts, Armatrading moved to England in the late ‘50s where she got her musical start. She debuted in 1972 with Whatever’s For Us, and returned a few years later with Back To The Night. That album, which featured former members of Fairport Convention, launched her onto the British charts.

Since then, Armatrading has remained a prominent figure in the singer/songwriter scene in the U.K. On the other side of the pond, she has a smaller following, but devoted nonetheless.

In 2001, Armatrading was awarded the prestigious MBE award from the Queen. She has also been nominated twice each for a Brit Award and a Grammy, and is counted as one of the most influential women in rock.