Music Week articles from April 2001

Music Week archives from April 2001

Breitholtz makes A&R pledge.
April 7, 2001... Incoming BMG UK chairman Hasse Breitholtz is vowing to strengthen the company's local A&R activities as he sets an ambitious market share target for the company. Breitholtz, who officially takes over the role today (Monday), says he has a...

NEWS.
April 7, 2001... Hear'Say were on course yesterday (Sunday) to score a rare chart-topping double for a new act as their debut album Popstars headed to number one. Demand for the Popstars album was so great last weak it looking like outselling the rest of the...

Channelfly moves into artist management.
April 7, 2001... Channelfly has further diversified its music interests by moving into management with the acquisition of Stephen Budd Management and its sister company SuperVision Management. Following the deal, Stephen Budd, whose roster of 30 producers...

Hill on verge of Universal label deal.
April 7, 2001... MUSIC Week's producer of the year Mark Hill is this week expected to confirm details of a label deal with Universal to sign and develop new artists. Hill -- long-time writing and production partner of Craig David and one half of garage duo...

New allegations prompt fresh twist in MU battle.
April 7, 2001... The Musicians' Union's long-running internal battles are about to take another twist with a former executive committee (EC) member making a complaint about its management to the Government's Trade Union watchdog. In his letter to the...

`Nasty Nigel' quits LWT to join Fuller's growing TV powerhouse.
April 7, 2001... Simon Fuller's 19 TV has further confirmed its position as a fledgling music television powerhouse with the recruitment of LWT controller of light entertainment Nigel Lythgoe. Lythgoe, dubbed Nasty Nigel in the press, has been brought in as...

Watson heads list of stars for BBC Music Live festival.
April 7, 2001... Tenor Russell Watson is among the first artists confirmed to appear at BBC Music Live, which is set to be staged at 50 venues next month across Yorkshire. The event, which runs from May 24 to 28, will take in 100 concerts with its...

Kingfisher moves staff in merchandising arm.
April 7, 2001... Kingfisher has reshuffled two of senior executives within its general merchandise arm just a week after revealing it wants to sell off the entertainment division. As part of the move, Alan Young, head of sales and marketing at distributor...

Pringle rejoins Capital for development role.
April 7, 2001... Keith Pringle is returning to Capital Radio for an Initial six-month period to work in its business development team and assist with programming. The move, which is understood not to be related to Richard Park's decision to quit as group...

NEWS: news file.
April 7, 2001... EAVIS FINED OVER GLASTONBURY 2000 Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis was fined 15,000 [pounds sterling] last week by Frome magistrates for a breach of his licence at last June's festival. The event was licensed for 100,000 people, but...

BALANCING THE A&R EQUATION.
April 7, 2001... What a great time to be a buzzband -- or is it? BMG and Sony are both under the leadership of new chairmen who are open about their priority aim of building more domestic A&R strength. Meanwhile, Warner's WEA operation is still desperate to...

HEAR'SAY WON'T SAVE POP.
April 7, 2001... Yes, Tills has finally lost the plot. Only three weeks ago I said that pop is dead -- and then the ultimate piece of marketing-to-the-masses drops on us. Oops! The phenomenon that is Popstars' Hear'Say with their catchy little ditty Pure &...

Receiver optimistic on finding Impulse buyer.
April 7, 2001... Despite the closure of nearly half of Impulse Entertainment's 24-out-let chain, administrative receiver BDO Stoy Hayward is optimistic it can sell the retailer as a going concern. The accountancy group's business recovery service was...

Emap DMP restructures in move to online stores.
April 7, 2001... Emap Performance's 5m [pounds sterling] Digital Music Project is restructuring its online music brands with a comprehensive move to focus them as online store-fronts rather than providers of editorial content. The division -- which has...

Event to tackle DVD's role in music industry.
April 7, 2001... DVD's growing power within the music industry is to play a central part in a conference devoted to the format taking place this month. DVD Europe 2001, which is being staged at London's Business Design Centre from April 18 to 20, will...

Bacs launches regular award for newcomer hit songwriters.
April 7, 2001... Up-and-coming UK songwriters are set to gain a higher profile with the launch of a series of awards to honour writers new to chart success. The British Academy of Composers & Songwriters (Bacs) Is launching the Chart Newcomer Awards,...

Feeder's third album supported by ambitious regional campaign.
April 7, 2001... The Echo Label begins an ambitious regional marketing campaign this month targeting 29 cities and towns to promote Feeder's third album Echo Park in the run up to its release on April 23. Music website dotmusic and Yamaha Guitars have been...

Marketing.
April 7, 2001... Pub group Eldridge Pope has secured its biggest music coup yet by securing ffrr act Artful Dodger (pictured) to appear at 11 of its 13 Toad bars during the next eight weeks. The promotional tour is being sponsored by drinks brand Smirnoff Ice,...

TOTP2 set to boost Bee Gees.
April 7, 2001... The Bee Gees and Roxy Music are set to be the next artists to benefit from the "Top Of The Pops 2 effect" as the BBC TV show prepares specials on both bands. The Bee Gees programme is set to be broadcast this Wednesday (April 4) with the...

Park to add personal touch to Craig David launch in States.
April 7, 2001... Richard Park is preparing to revive the plugging skills that helped to break Take That in the US by throwing his personal weight behind Craig David's US push. Park, who quit as Capital Radio's director of programmes last month, says he is...

IPC Ignite! recruits Emap talent for NME jubilee.
April 7, 2001... Former Mixmag publishing director Ian Jenkinson is the latest new recruit to join IPC Ignite! as the publisher gears up for the 50th birthday of NME next year. Jenkinson has left Emap to take up the newly-created post of music projects...

MARKETING: news file.
April 7, 2001... EVENT ONE PLUGS INTO DVD Plugging company Event One is using a portable Panasonic DVD player as a marketing tool to promote its artists to TV and radio. The R&D team at Event One's parent company The Galaxy Broadcast Group has adapted the...

chart file.
April 7, 2001... * Epic's Manic Street Preachers might have missed out last week on another chart-topping album in the UK with Know Your Enemy, but in Germany it has given them their highest-charting release so far. The album claims the second highest new entry...

Davis's US J Records pledges to give A&R operations a UK flavour.
April 7, 2001... Clive Davis is vowing to give his new label J Records a UK A&R focus with the promise of at least four visits to the UK every year. The veteran record executive gave the first full insight into the label to BMG's UK staff last Tuesday as...

INTERNATIONAL.
April 7, 2001... Universal is confidently predicting that the Bridget Jones's Diary OST it has in its hands will become one of the biggest-selling UK-originated soundtracks of all time. The album, which includes contributions from Dina Carroll (pictured), Geri...

UK TOP 20 AIRPLAY HITS IN EUROPE.
April 7, 2001... UK TOP 20 AIRPLAY HITS IN EUROPE TW LW Title/Artist (UK company) 1 1 Supreme Robbie Williams (Chrysalis) 2 2 Here With Me Dido (Cheeky/Arista) 3 3 Inner Smile Texas (Mercury) 4 6 Lovin' Each Day Ronan...

GAVIN US RADIO TOP 20.
April 7, 2001... GAVIN US RADIO TOP 20 TW LW Title/Artist (UK company) 1 1 Angel Shaggy (MCA) 2 2 Again Lenny Kravitz (Virgin) 3 3 Butterfly Crazy Town (Columbia/CRG) 4 4 Crazy K-Ci & Jojo (MCA) 5 7 Thank You...

TOP UK AND UK-SIGNED SALES.
April 7, 2001... TOP UK AND UK-SIGNED SALES CHART PERFORMERS ABROAD chart Country Title/Artist (Label) pos. LW AUSTRALIA single Operation Public Domain...

AMERICAN CHARTWATCH.
April 7, 2001... While his single Angel is knocked off the top of the Hot 100 after just one week by Crazy Town's Butterfly, Shaggy has better luck on the albums chart, where Hotshot's 188,000 sales are enough to earn it a sixth week at number one. Shaggy was...

A & R IN MIAMI: news file.
April 7, 2001... MIAMI TAKES IN SW9 PREMIERE UK movie SW9 was bunched in Miami with a ViP reception. From the producers of Fruit Salad Films (the team behind Human Traffic), the film's musical director is Dave Pearce. Tracks are yet to be finalised for the...

Shifting dance scene tops agenda at WMC.
April 7, 2001... The world's dance music community descended on Miami last week for the annual Winter Music Conference (WMC), with the focus for many UK companies in attendance being the shifting tide in US dance culture and how to benefit from its changing...

U2 sample clearance leads to Miami buzz for Musique.
April 7, 2001... A dance track sampling U2's New Year's Day has emerged as one of the leading tunes from Miami Winter Music Conference. New Year's Dub, produced by Serious Records act Musique, is understood to be the first time U2 have approved use of a...

Xtravnganza seals US Columbia deal.
April 7, 2001... Xtravaganza Recordings has signed an exclusive long-term deal with Columbia Records in the US under which the UK dance label will set up a New York office in the coming weeks. Two staff will run the operation, which will initially be focused on...

A & R IN MIAMI.
April 7, 2001... The biggest dance party in Miami this year was Ultrafest, a 30,000-capacity event featuring the cream of the world's dance talent. The 13-hour event at Miami's Bayfront Park featured six stages hosted by the likes of Subliminal, Twilo, Drum &...

BMG's new UK team leader brings clear set of goals and softly-softly approach.
April 7, 2001... Call it a fluke of timing, but it seems fitting that a self-confessed diehard Swedish sports fan should take the helm of a UK major record company within a week of the English football team's double victory -- under the management of fellow...

THE OFFICIAL UK SINGLES CHART TOP 75.
April 7, 2001... THE OFFICIAL UK SINGLES CHART TOP 75 Title Label CD/Cass Artist (Producer) (Distributor) This Last Wks Publisher (Writer) ...

THE OFFICIAL UK ALBUMS CHART TO 75.
April 7, 2001... CHART COMMENTARY There was a certain inevitability about it but the number one debut by Hear'Say's Popstars album is still notable, not least because it sold a massive 306,631 units on its first week in the shops, the highest weekly sale...

THE OFFICIAL CHARTS.
April 7, 2001... Why do 1,250,000 15-34 year olds read 17 million pages on our site each month? They visit dotmusic to get the very latest music news, charts, reviews, interviews and much more. Because no matter what type of music they want, we've got it...

SPECIALIST.
April 7, 2001... CLASSICAL ARTISTS This Last Title Artist 1 1 THE VOICE Russell Watson 2 3 ETERNAL LIGHT - MUSIC OF INNER Priory of The PEACE ...

DANCE.
April 7, 2001... CHART COMMENTARY For the first time this year it is a dead heat at the top of the Upfront Chart, with Janet Jackson's All For You and Fatboy Slim's Star 69 picking up exactly the same number of points from our panel of DJs. Jackson gets...

EXPOSURE.
April 7, 2001... It Wasn't Me continues to plateau at the top of the chart, where it has now reigned for five consecutive weeks, with an audience ranging from just over 90m to its current "low" level of 88m, a remarkably small variance, especially as Shaggy's...

THE OFFICIAL UK AIRPLAY CHARTS TOP 50.
April 7, 2001... THE OFFICIAL UK AIRPLAY CHARTS TOP 50 Weeks Position on on sales This Last chart chart 1 1 10 2 IT WASN'T ME (a)2 3 6 14 RENDEZVOUS ...

RONAN KEATING: Lovin' Each Day.
April 7, 2001... RONAN KEATING: Lovin' Each Day (Polydor RONAN7). A brand new track from Ronan -- not taken from his debut album -- which is once again penned by the celebrated hit writers Alexander & Nowels. It's another piano-vamping, uplifting cut that is...

SHEA SEGER: Clutch.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED SHEA SEGER: Clutch (RCA 74321 827 982). This is certainly a stand-out track from her debut album, The May Street Project, which was released in October. Co-written with Interscope artist Kenna and including production by Martin...

O-TOWN: Liquid Dreams.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED O-TOWN: Liquid Dreams (J Records/RCA 74321 953 212). Following the screening of their Popstars-style rise to fame on T4, the five-piece release their debut in the UK. Hoping to repeat their recent stateside success, the single is a...

THE CORRS: In Blue.
April 7, 2001... THE CORRS: In Blue (East West AT0097CD). Remixed by Cutfather and Joe (All Saints, Mary J Bilge), this is the third single from the double platinum of the same name. C-listed at Radio One, it should sustain interest in them while the band...

X-PRESS 2: Muzikizum.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED X-PRESS 2: Muzikizum (Skint SKINT 65). X-Press 2 have an undeniably unique sound, rattling house with monster breakdowns and ear shattering bass. AC/DC which was released last year proved there is still a strong interest in X-Press...

BRIAN HARVEY: Straight Up.
April 7, 2001... BRIAN HARVEY: Straight Up (No Bends) (Edel 0126605ERE). Surprisingly this is Harvey's debut single since the E17 split, although he has more recently enjoyed collaborations with both Gabrielle and the Truesteppers. With a new solo album in the...

SCHILLER: Das Glockenspiel.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED SCHILLER: Das Glockenspiel (Date Recordings Data22). Favoured and aired by all of the Radio One dance DJs and enjoying a B listing at the station, this has been number one in MW's Cool Cuts. The new Tiesto Mix is blessed with the...

MAJOR FORCE: The Re-Return Of The Original Artform Vol. 3.
April 7, 2001... MAJOR FORCE: The Re-Return Of The Original Artform Vol. 3 (Mo Wax MWR142). The third installment of the Re-Return series finds DJ Harvey giving his interpretation of the Japanese crew's track. The London tastemeister gives the song an uptempo...

STEPHEN MALKMUS: Discretion Grove.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED STEPHEN MALKMUS: Discretion Grove (Domino RUG 123CD). The first single to be lifted from the former Pavement frontman's debut LP is a jaunty bubblegum romp through Jonathan Richman terrain which exhibits the exuberance of Malkmus'...

ELECTRELANE: Blue Straggler.
April 7, 2001... ELECTRELANE: Blue Straggler (Let's Rock! LROCK 02CDS). Clocking in at almost seven minutes, this epic fourth single from the Brighton four-piece begins as an all out Farfisa-drenched rocker, before giving way to a dreamy extended coda.

PROUD MARY: Very Best Friend.
April 7, 2001... PROUD MARY: Very Best Friend (Sour Mash JDNC 001). The first signing to Noel Gallagher's new imprint -- produced by the man himself and sounding not dissimilar to Oasis -- Proud Mary's debut is steeped in the traditional rock lore that inspired...

DESTINY'S CHILD: Survivor.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED DESTINY'S CHILD: Survivor (Columbia XPCD 1348). Charlie's Angels and an explosive Brits performance confirmed Destiny's Child's place in the super league. This single both co-written and co-produced by leader Beyonce is a gritty...

ORBITAL: Funny Break.
April 7, 2001... ORBITAL: Funny Break (One Is Enough) (ffrr FCD395). The Hartnolls have collaborated with singer Naomi Bedford on this taster for their forthcoming album, The Altogether. A beautiful song featuring heavenly trumpets and the brothers' trademark...

THE MAGNETS: All The Wrong Reasons.
April 7, 2001... THE MAGNETS: All The Wrong Reasons (EMI Liberty CDMAGNET 003). This distinctive track highlights the unique appeal of this London six-piece famed for their a cappella prowess. This track combines elements of power-pop and R&B, and will be...

SNOOP DOGG: Snoop Dogg.
April 7, 2001... SNOOP DOGG: Snoop Dogg (What's My Name Part II) (Priority/Virgin CDPTY199), Following up his chart appearance guesting on Dr Dre's The Next Episode this Timbaland-produced cut should repeat the success for the Dogg star. A return to form and a...

COMMON feat. Macy Gray: Geto Heaven Remix T.S.O.I.
April 7, 2001... COMMON feat. Macy Gray: Geto Heaven Remix T.S.O.I. (MCA MCSTD40246). This track originally appeared on the rapper's Like Water For Chocolate album, released in March 2000. Produced by The Soulquarians, and now featuring the vocals of Macy Gray,...

MISSY ELLIOTT: Get Ur Freak On.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED MISSY ELLIOTT: Get Ur Freak On (Elektra/EastWest E7206CD). Elliott and Timbaland's partnership continues to thrill with the first track from Missy's third album, Miss E... So Addictive. An Inventive track featuring bhangra...

INDIA.ARIE: Acoustic Soul.
April 7, 2001... INDIA.ARIE: Acoustic Soul (Motown/ Universal Island 0137702). With Jill Scott already established and newcomers such as Sunshine Anderson and Alicia Keys waiting in the wings, Motown's latest US soul diva shows how to do it. Deftly combining...

TEISH O'DAY: He Is The One.
April 7, 2001... TEISH O'DAY: He Is The One (EMI/Liberty CDTEISH 001). Taken from her debut album, Commitment, the garage rub boasts unusual vocals, and has recently enjoyed a Top 20 chart position in the MW Urban Charts. Interest in the single has certainly...

DEACON BLUE: Everytime You Sleep.
April 7, 2001... DEACON BLUE: Everytime You Sleep (Papillon BTFLYS0011). A slow, meandering track sees the group trying to make an impact in the mainstream again. Undoubtedly the single will receive support from the group's loyal fanbase and it is also likely...

LUPINE HOWL: The Carnivorous Lunar Activities Of ...
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED LUPINE HOWL: The Carnivorous Lunar Activities Of... (Beggars Banquet BBQCD 219). This Spiritualized splinter faction fly the flag for full-throttle, stone-groove rock`n'roll in the same ballpark as their former group, Primal Scream...

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Bridget Jones Diary (OST).
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED VARIOUS ARTISTS: Bridget Jones Diary (OST) (Mercury 5487992). The collection features a number of exclusive tracks from the likes of Robbie Williams and Geri Halliwell, as well as favourites including Aretha Franklin's Respect and...

EVERCLEAR: Songs From An American Movie Vol. 2.
April 7, 2001... EVERCLEAR: Songs From An American Movie Vol. 2 (Capitol 5304192). Avoiding the rock-rap cliches loved by their contemporaries, Everclear have crafted an album of excellent songs that hold together as a cohesive whole. Material like Slide, Rock...

LIL' BOW WOW: Beware of The Dog.
April 7, 2001... LIL' BOW WOW: Beware of The Dog (So So Def/Columbia 5005512). Parents all over the country can draw a collective sigh of relief at being able to buy a credible, commercial rap album for their small homies which is profanity free. Produced by...

THE AVALANCHES: Since I Left You.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED THE AVALANCHES: Since I Left You (XL Recordings XLCD138). The Avalanches' debut album is a dizzying day-glo splash of sample-driven mania. Snatches of filtered house, hip-hop, pop, soul and psychedelia flash past at breakneck speed...

ANGIE MARTINEZ: The Up Close And Personal Project.
April 7, 2001... ANGIE MARTINEZ: The Up Close And Personal Project (Eastwest/Elektra 7559623662). The New York radio personality calls in guests like Jay-Z, Wyclef, Snoop Dogg and Mary J Bilge to appear on her debut album. Though she is not the greatest of...

VARIOUS ARTISTS: La Linea-Future Latin Beats.
April 7, 2001... VARIOUS ARTISTS: La Linea-Future Latin Beats (Maateca MANTCD024). Compiled lovingly by DJ Martin Morales this is a showcase for the Nuevo Son Latino. With influences as varied as rap, house, funk, breakbeat and drum`n'bass these choice cuts...

PAPA M: Papa M Sings.
April 7, 2001... PAPA M: Papa M Sings (Rock Action ROCKACT CD7). Celebrated guitarist David Pajo's latest opus has him kicking back on the porch in country/folk mode, accompanied by banjo, jug and crickets. A departure for fans of his more post rock avant-jazz...

ONE TWELVE: 112-Part III.
April 7, 2001... ONE TWELVE: 112-Part III (Bad Boy/ Arista 74321 833 142). Signed to Puffy's label at the tender age of 16, the group are now onto their third album, hoping to repeat the success of their earlier multi-platinum LPs. This is an efficient...

EMMA BUNTON: A Girl Like Me.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED EMMA BUNTON: A Girl Like Me (Virgin CDVX293S). Bunton has collaborated with many familiar names to create a polished and professional debut collection. With input from the likes of Rodney and Fred Jerkins, Bryan Adams and Mark...

ASV APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR.
April 7, 2001... Independent classical, jazz and nostalgia label ASV has appointed sales and distribution manager Richard Harrison as managing director. He succeeds Hywel Davies, who becomes company chairman. Harrison joined the small ASV team in 1991 and has...

HARLE'S A HISTORY OF BRITAIN OST RELEASED.
April 7, 2001... Saxophonist and composer John Harle's soundtrack score to the monumental BBC2 television series A History of Britain has already attracted critical plaudits, not least for its punchy settings of the folk text The Three Ravens and other lyrics...

MAHLER: The Complete Symphonies.
April 7, 2001... ALBUM of the week MAHLER: The Complete Symphonies. Various soloists and choirs; LSO; Israel Philharmonic Orchestra; New York Philharmonic/Bernstein (Sony Classical SX12K 89499 (12 CD)). Although Bernstein's legendary first-ever complete...

BERLIOZ: La damnation de Faust.
April 7, 2001... BERLIOZ: La damnation de Faust. Sabbatini; Shkosa; Pertusi; Wilson-Johnson (Brander); London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/ Davis (LSO Live LS00008 (2CD)). The latest instalment from the LSO's own brand label was recorded during Sir Colin...

BRITTEN: Peter Grimes.
April 7, 2001... BRITTEN: Peter Grimes. Peter Pears, Claire Watson, James Pease, etc. Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Britten (Decca Legends 467 682-2 (2CD)). This definitive recording needs no introduction to existing classical...

FOSS.
April 7, 2001... FOSS: Piano Concertos Nos 1 and 2; Elegy for Anne Frank. Nakamatsu, Kasman, Lukas and Eliza Foss; Pacific Symphony Orchestra/Carl St Clair (Harmonia Mundi HMU907243). Berlin-born Lukas Foss fled Hitler's Germany and settled in the US. His First...

SIBELIUS: Kullervo.
April 7, 2001... SIBELIUS: Kullervo. Paasikivi, Laukka; Helsinki University Chorus; Lahti SO/ Vanska (BIS BIS-CD-1215). There will be little justice if this release doesn't make it on to the shortlist for this year's Gramophone Awards. Osmo Vanska's Sibelius...

NEW RELEASES -- FOR WEEK STARTING APRIL 9, 2001.
April 7, 2001... RECOMMENDED CATALOGUE NEW RELEASES DIONNE WARWICK: Love Songs (Rhino 8122787842) There are many Dionne Warwick compilations but this one includes not only a large helping of songs (11) from the team with whom she made her most famous...

RETAIL FOCUS: FOCUS SOUNDS.
April 7, 2001... If ever there was a bad year for Hampshire indie Focus Sounds, 1998 was it. The building of a new shopping centre nearby, protracted roadworks and the closure of several car-parks in Waterlooville all combined to deter customer traffic. But...

IN-STORE NEXT WEEK (from 11/4/01).
April 7, 2001... Andys RECORDS Windows -- Now! 48, Toploader; In-store -- Crazy Town, Now! 48, Toploader, Robbie Williams, Bantock, Vaughan Williams, DTPM, Creative Spaces, Sylk 130, Logical Progression Level 4, Stereophonics, The Blockheads, Roland...

ON THE SHELF.
April 7, 2001... SIMON DEARMER, owner, Bigga Records, Plymouth "As a dance vinyl specialist, I have succeeded in expanding my customer-base by providing the tunes. I sell to a lot of DJs locally and much of the business comes in through word of mouth. ...

ON THE ROAD.
April 7, 2001... RACHEL EDWARDSON, Pinnacle rep for the North East "This week pre-sales have been extremely strong for the third Feeder album, Echo Park, which hits the shelves on April 23. This follows on from their successful single Buck Rogers and we're...