Adele signs to Columbia Records in U.S.

As reported 6 weeks ago, our darling Adele is now signed to Columbia in the U.S. !!! YEEEAAAAHHH

Columbia Records will give hot British newcomer Adele's debut set "19" a summer Stateside release, through a joint venture struck with XL Recordings.

British critics and record buyers adore Adele in equal amounts, and she can count producer-of-the-moment Mark Ronson among her fans and collaborators.

The teenaged Londoner has enjoyed a dream career start, with a Brit Award -- the new Critics' Choice honor -- and a debut No. 1 U.K. album to her name with "19", which topped the chart earlier this year. Her first full single, "Chasing Pavements," peaked at No. 2 in the U.K.

XL CEO Richard Russell, who signed the artist worldwide, is confident her jazz and soul-drenched music will touch the right note in the U.S. "She wants to work it properly, and put in time there," he tells Billboard. "People are really excited about her over there."

The singer is in the midst of a short North American tour, which included two sold-out shows at New York's Joe's Pub earlier this week and at L.A.'s Hotel Cafe tomorrow (March 20).

Source [Billboard]