Music Week articles from August 2002

Music Week archives from August 2002

Reality TV to dominate autumn pop.
August 3, 2002... Pop reality TV shows are set to dominate broadcast schedules and music charts this autumn, as details emerge of two rival shows which will go head-to-head on the BBC and ITV. Mercury Records last week signed rights for Initial's Fame...

The Streets' debut album Original Pirate Material (679 Recordings) has emerged as a favourite to make the shortlist for the Panasonic Mercury Music Prize, which will be unveiled tomorrow (Tuesday).
August 3, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The Streets' (pictured) debut album Original Pirate Material (679 Recordings) has emerged as a favourite to make the shortlist for the Panasonic Mercury Music Prize, which will be unveiled tomorrow...

Chicane cues up deal as action is settled.
August 3, 2002... Electronic artist Chicane is expected to sign a deal with a major label over the coming weeks, after reaching an out-of-court settlement with Xtravaganza Recordings which marks the end of his relationship with the independent label. A...

V2 scoops Tom Jones deal after severing ties with Gut.
August 3, 2002... Tom Jones may soon have two completed album packages in the bag, after finalising an exclusive deal with V2 for the world excluding North America. V2 has secured Jones for one album firm, plus an option for a second, on an advance...

Piracy law toughened with 10-year jail term. (News).
August 3, 2002... Counterfeiters could face up to 10 years in jail, after new legislation designed to stem the tide of copyright theft last week entered the statute books. The Copyright And Trade Marks Offences And Enforcement Bill, drown up to improve...

Parlophone heads the nominations list for UK-signed artists in the MTV Video Music Awards this year, with multiple nods for Coldplay, Dirty Vegas and Kylie Minogue across several categories. (News).
August 3, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Parlophone heads the nominations list for UK-signed artists in the MTV Video Music Awards this year, with multiple nods for Coldplay, Dirty Vegas and Kylie Minogue across several categories. Kylie Minogue's...

Busy release schedule boosts retailers as LPs back in black. (News).
August 3, 2002... Retailers are hailing 2002 as the busiest summer release schedule for at least five years which has helped send year-on-year artist album sales back into the black. In a season that has traditionally been a wash-out for new superstar...

Bullish Tesco aims to double market share to 20% by 2003. (News).
August 3, 2002... Tesco is putting in place ambitious plans to capture a 20% market share on all chart music sold by the end of next year. The supermarket's target, which translates to an overall market share of 8-9%, follows a year in which it says its...

Top bankers line up as the MPA reprises its finance seminar. (News).
August 3, 2002... Music Week is to support the second Music Publishers' Association-organised Access To Finance seminar, which has been confirmed to take place in Manchester on September 17. The event will form part of the annual In The City extravaganza,...

Sony unveils mixed figures. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Sony Music Entertainment's international operations recorded a loss of $86m in the first quarter of its financial year, it stated on Thursday. Sales for the first quarter ending on June 30 increased by 4% to $1,153bn, with titles by Korn,...

Second-hand chain finds buyer. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Retailer Music & Video Exchange has been bought by a US company of the same name, after being in receivership since June. A new company called Music & Goods Exchange has been set up to run the chain of shops, which specialises es in second-hand...

Currie joins Ofcom quango. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Lord Currie was last week appointed chairman of Ofcom, the quango which will take over as the regulatory body for radio and television from a series of other organisations including the Radio Authority and the ITC. EDITED BY PAUL WILLIAMS...

Craske takes helm at Mixmag. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Emap Performance has appointed acting editor and former senior editor Viv Craske as permanent editor of flagship dance title Mixmag. Previous editor Tom Whitwell left to join sister title The Face earlier this year. Craske says he planning some...

Solleveld takes new role at BMG. (news file).
August 3, 2002... BMG Music Publishing's former worldwide vice president of international Ron Solleveld has joined BMI as international vice president. Alongside BMG, Solleveld's 30-year music career also includes holding executive positions at PolyGram and Sony...

Millward Brown to host seminar. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Millward Brown is to stage a halfday seminar for BPI members on August 13, designed to demonstrate to record companies how its tailored field market intelligence can improve record companies' TV product advertising. Its account Director Nick...

Estefan to join Cisac panel. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Music publisher and record label owner Emilio Estefan is to take part in a panel on creators' copyright protection at the 2002 Cisac World Congress. The copyright map panel, which will also feature contribution from US Copyright Office director...

Decca re-signs Pavarotti. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Decca Music Group has re-signed Luciano Pavarotti to an exclusive recording contract, with work now underway for a new album due for release next year. Plans for a full-length television documentary on the tenor are also being drawn up. ...

IPC prepares Muzik Awards. (news file).
August 3, 2002... IPC Media has lined up its Musik Magazine Dance Awards to take place at London's Po Na Na venue on October 17. Nominations for the event will be unveiled at Muzik's monthly night at the AKA bar in London on August 7. EDITED BY PAUL...

SBM unveils listening figures. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Student radio network SBN has unveiled its first official Rajar-endorsed listening figures, which peg its weekly reach at 64,012 (9.2%). The listener research was carried out by Ipsos RSL within 52 campuses during the summer term. EDITED...

Emap in radio staff promotions. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Emap Advertising's former music magazines head and Magic launch team member Mark Hassall is taking on a newly-created post of station director for Kiss-owned Kiss 100 and Magic 105.4. Elsewhere, Emap has made senior changes in its regional...

MTV Europe marks 15th birthday. (news file).
August 3, 2002... MTV Europe is marking its 15-year anniversary this month by broadcasting a documentary across its 10 European regions. The one-and-a-half-hour show, which charts the life of the network from its launch by Elton John in 1987, will be broadcast...

EMI joins forces with Po Na Na. (news file).
August 3, 2002... EMI has teamed up with Po Na Na Group to promote EMI releases and tours throughout its 60 bar and club sites in the UK and abroad. The roll-out of the promotion will include a series of Blue Note nights at 14 Po Na Na clubs, featuring playbacks...

Carruthers joins M Productions. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Dick Carruthers, who was named director of the year by Live Magazine each year from 1997 to 2001, has joined the Metropolis Group's London-based M Productions. He will be working alongside executive director and Metropolis Group's DVD content...

This week's BPI Awards. (news file).
August 3, 2002... Now That's What I Call Music! 52 reaches two-times platinum status, while Shakira's Laundry Service, Jennifer Lopez's J To Tha L-O and Queen's Queen Platinum Collection all receive a platinum accolade. EDITED BY PAUL WILLIAMS...

How TV shows' ratings compare. (news file).
August 3, 2002... HOW TV SHOWS' RATING'S COMPARE Programme this week % change (000s) on 2001 Top Of The Pops * 2,084 n/a Top Of The Pops II (Tues) n/a n/a Top Of The...

Hugh Masekela will be among the artists honoured at the BBC Radio Jazz Awards this Wednesday, when he is set to receive the BBC Radio jazz international award. (News).
August 3, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Hugh Masekela (pictured) will be among the artists honoured at the BBC Radio Jazz Awards this Wednesday, when he is set to receive the BBC Radio jazz international award. An extra award--The jazz heritage...

Majors confirm dates of autumn conferences. (News).
August 3, 2002... Retailers are set for a busy start to September, with EMI and Universal's autumn conferences lined up within a day of one another. Universal's all-day conference on September 2 is scheduled for London's Bernard Shaw Plaza, where 10 of its...

Friends hail `brilliant' Dudgeon as crash claims Elton producer. (News).
August 3, 2002... Elton John has led a wave of tributes to his one-time producer Gus Dudgeon, following the veteran record man's death in a motorway crash. Dudgeon, 59, and his wife Sheila were killed when his Jaguar veered off the M4 at Berkshire in the...

TOTP to celebrate 2,000th show with help from TOTP2. (News).
August 3, 2002... TOTP2 is turning over four entire programmes in September to celebrate the 2,000th edition of Top Of The Pops. Archive material spanning the 39 years of the world's longest-running weekly music show will be screened from September 2 across...

Hughes steps up at Polydor in newly-created promotion role. (News).
August 3, 2002... Polydor's head of radio Neil Hughes has been elevated to the newly-created position of director of promotion as his TV equivalent Iain Funnell lands a new director's role. Hughes' responsibilities are expanded with immediate effect to both...

Cream to launch labels as club shuts its doors. (News).
August 3, 2002... The Cream Group is looking to expand its business through new record label deals and, ultimately, signing its own acts, despite announcing that its landmark Liverpool club is to close. The group confirmed last Tuesday that its founding...

Tarrant event joins Capital FM line-up. (News).
August 3, 2002... Capital FM programme director Rick Blaxill says the station has now realised its plan of establishing four live events every year, with the launch of Chris Tarrant's Capital Request. The concert, which will each year give a different...

Mean Fiddler looks to Europe after backing German festival. (News).
August 3, 2002... Mean Fiddler is planning to invest in two further continental European festivals before the end of the year, after taking a stake In German rock festival Bizarrefest. CEO Melvyn Benn hints that Spain is next on the company's horizons,...

AOL Time Warner fights back on US accounting probe. (News).
August 3, 2002... AOL Time Warner chief Richard Parsons has gone on the offensive to defend his company's accounting and financial practices, after the Securities & Exchange Commission launched an inquiry last week. The media giant's share price took a...

Supermarkets force price issue. (MW Comment).
August 3, 2002... Tesco's target of 20% chart share within 18 months should leave all of us in no doubt--the supermarkets are here to stay. Indeed, the time will soon come when supermarkets will claim 50% of the chart music market. Tesco is nothing if not...

Time to implement media rules. (News).
August 3, 2002... Rarely does a day pass without the thorny issue of consolidation in the UK radio Industry rearing its head. In August, the Government will receive final comments on its draft Communications Bill that is expected to become law in late 2003....

Norway leads the way for European territories with Coldplay's first single from their forthcoming album A Rush of blood to the Head as In My Place climbs 21-13. (chart file).
August 3, 2002... * Norway leads the way for European territories with Coldplay's first single from their forthcoming album A Rush Of Blood To The Head as In My Place climbs 21-13. The band are preparing to embark on a US tour from September. EDITED BY...

V2's Liberty X edge still further ahead in the Dutch singles sales chart as Just a Little jumps another two places to number six, defying the downward trend for UK-signed artists in that country this week. (chart file).
August 3, 2002... * V2's Liberty X edge still further ahead in the Dutch singles sales chart as Just A Little jumps another two places to number six, defying the downward trend for UK-signed artists in that country this week. While the momentum slows in...

Sugababes' Freak Like Me gains seven places to reach 12 on the Belgian Music Control airplay countdown this week, while follow-up single Round Round goes to radio in some key European markets, including Germany. (chart file).
August 3, 2002... * Sugababes' Freak Like Me gains seven places to reach 12 on the Belgian Music Control airplay countdown this week, while follow-up single Round Round goes to radio in some key European markets, including Germany. The Universal Island-signed...

In the same week, her single is nominated for an international prize in the MTV Video Music Awards, WEA's Holly Valance enjoys improved fortunes for Kiss Kiss across Europe's airwaves. (chart file).
August 3, 2002... * In the same week, her single is nominated for an international prize in the MTV Video Music Awards, WEA's Holly Valance enjoys improved fortunes for Kiss Kiss across Europe's airwaves. While the track fades 6-3 in the singles sales chart of...

After massive chart gains for George Michael's controversial Shoot the Dog single at radio across Southern Europe, the momentum slows in Italy where the track slips 12-15 on the Music Control rundown. (chart file).
August 3, 2002... * After massive chart gains for George Michael's controversial Shoot The Dog single at radio across Southern Europe, the momentum slows in Italy where the track slips 12-15 on the Music Control rundown. But in Spain the interest proves more...

Polydor's Sophie Ellis Bextor's visit to Australia coincides with growing support, which results in a five-place boost in the singles sales chart for Get Over You to reach five, a re-entry at 46 for Murder on the Dancefloor and a 29-place leap for album Read My Lips. (chart file).
August 3, 2002... * Polydor's Sophie Ellis Bextor's visit to Australia coincides with growing support, which results in a five-place boost in the singles sales chart for Get Over You to reach five, a re-entry at 46 for Murder On The Dancefloor and a 29-place...

Kinetic plans campaign to take Ash past 1m US sales. (International).
August 3, 2002... US independent Kinetic Records has set an ambitious 1m sales target for Ash's Free For Angels album across the Atlantic, as the band prepare for a Stateside tour with Coldplay. The company, which signed the band for a multi-album deal in...

Universal Island's Sugababes are among the Universal artists set to win an international boost this summer, with their music featured in Working Title's new film The Guru. (International).
August 3, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Universal Island's Sugababes (pictured) are among the Universal artists set to win an international boost this summer, with their music featured in Working Title's new film The Guru. The soundtrack to the...

Euro and UK top airplay hits. (International).
August 3, 2002... EURO AND UK TOP AIRPLAY HITS chart Country Title/Artist (Label) pos. LW BELGIUM No.1 A Little... Elvis Vs JXL (RCA) 1 1 ...

Promo diary: the music. (International).
August 3, 2002... July 26 Arrive in Japan for radio interviews July 27 Fuji rock festival performance and promotion July 28 Promotion for Naeba July 29 Travel to Osaka July 30 Secret show in Osaka (filmed for Spaceshower TV) July 31...

Top UK and UK-signed sales chart performers abroad. (International).
August 3, 2002... TOP UK AND UK-SIGNED SALES CHART PERFORMERS ABROAD chart Country Title/Artist (Label) pos. LW AUSTRALIA single Get Over You Sophie Ellis 5...

American chartwatch. (International).
August 3, 2002... Rap's eight-week lock on the albums chart is over, as rockers the Dave Matthews Band debut in pole position with their third number one, Busted Stuff. The album sold 622,000 copies last week--the third highest first-week tally of the year,...

Mercury Prize aims for high profile with cream of UK album talent: with the shortlist for the Panasonic Mercury Music Prize due to be unveiled this week, James Roberts asks industry players for their tips on the runners and riders. (Mercury Music Prize--Analysis).
August 3, 2002... This week sees the return of the season armchair music critics wait for all year long--the announcement of the nominees for this year's Panasonic Mercury Music Prize. When the shortlist of 12 albums is announced in a London ceremony tomorrow...

Sugababes: Round Round (Universal Island CID804).
August 3, 2002... The second single from the new look 'Babes, following on the heels of the big-selling Freak Like Me, is another slice of quality pop. It is taken from the soundtrack to the forthcoming film, The Guru, which should help its profile. An...

Romeo: Romeo Dunn (Relentless RELENT29).
August 3, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] This is possibly the best release to have come from the huge talent of So Solid Crew. Already A-listed at Radio One and produced by RR from the So Solids with backing vocals from the So Solid ladeez, this commercial cut from...

Hear'Say: Lovin' Is Easy (Polydor 5708542).
August 3, 2002... Liberty X have had huge success with their brand of R&B-flavoured pop--so much so that Hear'Say have now decided to give it a go as well. Whether the street-savvy kids of today accept such bandwagon-jumping is a moot point, but it is already...

Amillionsons: Misti Blu (London LONCD468).
August 3, 2002... Lifting a sample from Dorothy Moore's Misty Blue, this laidback slice of soul caused a buzz as a white label last year. Now featuring soaring vocals from Taka Boom and Chaka Khan over strings, piano and sleepy bassline, it is set for release...

Sinead O'Connor: Troy (The Phoenix from the Flame) (Devolution DEVR003CDS).
August 3, 2002... O'Connor went so far as to buy her track back from Chrysalis in order to release this glorious version of this standout cut from her first album, The Lion And The Cobra. Push deliver a commercial-edged mix, but it is the John Creamer & Stephane...

Third Edge: In and Out (Parlophone CDR6568).
August 3, 2002... UK garage finds it latest pop incarnation in Third Edge and their debut single In And Out. The UK male trio leans more towards the polished pop/R&B/hip-hop style of acts such as Mis-teeq than the darker sounds of garage bad boys So Solid Crew,...

Snap vs Plaything: Do You See the Light (Data DATA33CDS).
August 3, 2002... Nine years on from its original outing, Italian remixers Plaything hook up with original vocalist Niki Haris in an update of Snap's classic. Push and Steve Murano provide club mixes, while the Pascal version has been A-listed at Radio One, with...

Oakenfold: Starry Eyed Surprise (Perfecto PERF27CDS).
August 3, 2002... This second single from Oakenfold's Bunkka album is effectively a rap rock pop song put through housey filters. Shifty Shellshock from Crazy Town lends his radio-friendly vocals to the track, which has been B-listed at Radio One.

Cam'Ron feat. Juelz Santana: Oh Boy (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam 0639642).
August 3, 2002... Cam'Ron returns with his strongest single since his debut Horse & Carriage. B-listed at Radio One and based around the sort of downtempo Seventies soul sample that label boss Jay Z has been using to such devastating effect, this oozes class.

Kosheen: Harder (Moksha/Arista 74321954452).
August 3, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] Five singles in, and the Bristol drum & bass trio's album Resist is showing no sign of losing its edge. On this Radio One B-listed outing, Darren Decoder and Markee Substance supply sweeping synths and gentle breaks, while...

Cornelius: Point of View Point (Matador OLE555-2).
August 3, 2002... This is more exhilarating pop experimentation from Japan's Cornelius, taken from his Point album. Recent live shows have showcased his ability to fuse cutting-edge technology to his idiosyncratic harmony-laden sound.

Klea: Tic Toc (Incentive CENT41CDS).
August 3, 2002... This rare homegrown UK club track originated from a demo and has now been licensed to Strictly Rhythm in the US and Universal Germany. The infectious, poppy single edit could be one of the UK's most succesful continental hits of the summer.

H & Claire: Half a Heart (WEA WEA359CD).
August 3, 2002... These former Steps members are looking to repeat the success of their debut single DJ with this second pop offering, written and produced by Adam Anders (Backstreet Boys). The duo, currently collaborating with a number of eminent pop writers...

McAlmont & Butler: Bring It Back (EMI:Chrysalis 5399772).
August 3, 2002... Following the lead single Falling, this second McAlmont & Butler album fulfils all promises. Largely a beautiful collection of soulful pop, there is a large Phil Spector/Al Green influence with a hint of T.Rex--but the resulting sound is all...

[Spunge]: Roots (B-Unique BUN030CD).
August 3, 2002... This new single is taken from Spunge's album The Story So Far. They continue to build upon their ska-punk sound, while maintaining a melodic pop feel. B-sides Just To Tell You and Lazy are just as impressive.

The Flaming Lips: Do You Realize? (Warner Bros W586CD1).
August 3, 2002... Hard on the heels of the number 13 debut of the album Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots comes this glorious blast of joyous sound from an amazing band. Radio is weighing in with support, as it scored the biggest increase in audience on last...

Weekend Players: Pursuit of Happiness (Multiply MULTYCD11).
August 3, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] Fitting neatly in the gap between Groove Armada and Dido, this debut is a perfectly-timed soundtrack to the summer. Including both of the act's singles to date--21st Century and Into The Sun--it bridges the gap between...

Will Smith: Born to Reign (Columbia 5079552).
August 3, 2002... Smith's new album coincides with the release of his new film, Men In Black II, and it is not quite up there with Willenium, which was released to coincide with Wild Wild West. Smith has style and talent but, while before his albums were all...

James Taylor: October Road (Columbia 503292).
August 3, 2002... This veteran singer-songwriter reunites with producer Russ Titelman for his first brand new album in five years. Guests including Ry Cooder, Randy Brecker and Taylor's daughter Sally join him on a typically individual set. UK dates in September...

DJ Jazzy Jeff: The Magnificent Album (Rapster RR008CD).
August 3, 2002... Long known as the man behind Will Smith this is, unbelievably, Jazzy's first solo album and it is ironic that it appears the same week as that of his former partner. Featuring such talents as Jill Scott and Shawn Stockman from Boyz II Men, this...

Vincent Montana Jr: Heavy Vibes (Temposphere TSPH1400CD).
August 3, 2002... Taking its name from the heavily-sampled 1982 disco classic, this is a long-overdue retrospective of the solo work of one of dance music's unsung heroes. The composer, arranger and conductor behind many Salsoul and Philly tracks, Montana also...

Def Leppard: X (Bludgeon Riffola 0631202).
August 3, 2002... The Lep aren't remotely cool these days, but then perhaps they never were, even when selling 17m copies of 1986's Hysteria. Nor is their pop-metal lilely to be considered heavy enough by today's kids. But their last sizeable hit, 1995's When...

Various: Sonar 2002 (Sonarmusic EDD042CD).
August 3, 2002... Jeff Mills, Arthur Baker, Crossover and Arto Lindsay are among the many artists that appear on this two-CD memento of the Barcelona festival. The depth and substance of the material mirror Sonar's progressive viewpoint succinctly.

Various: CD Six (International Deejay Gigolos EFA275902).
August 3, 2002... This has certainly been Gigolos' year in the UK, and this set looks set to capitalise on their new-found popularity. The 29 tracks on offer span from Dominatrix's vintage new-wave electro and Fischerspooner's postmodern pop to an assortment of...

Bonobo: One Off Remixes & B Sides (Tru Thoughts TRUC031).
August 3, 2002... This collection neatly gathers Bonobo's odds and ends for Tru Thoughts recorded before his departure to Ninja Tune. Included is his breezy mix of Pilote's Turtle alongside a bunch of previously hard to find smoky funk tracks.

The official UK singles chart top 75.
August 3, 2002... CHART COMMENTARY Spending a third week at number one, despite a 36% decline in sales week-on-week, Gareth Gates' Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake) brings the 18-year-old his seventh week at number one in total this year, following the...

The official UK albums charts top 75.
August 3, 2002... CHART COMMENTARY In the absence of anything remotely popular enough to unseat them, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' By The Way and Oasis' Heathen Chemistry continue at one and two on the album chart for the third straight week. The Peppers'...

The official charts.
August 3, 2002... sinGles 1 1 ANYONE OF US (STUPID MISTAKE) S Gareth Gates [new] 2 AUTOMATIC HIGH S Club Juniors Polydor [new] 3 UNDERNEATH YOUR CLOTHES ...

The official UK charts: specialist.
August 3, 2002... CLASSICAL ARTIST Label This Last Title Artist (Distributor) 1 2 ENCORE Russell Watson Decca 4703002 (U) 2 ...

All the UK charts: dance.
August 3, 2002... CHART COMMENTARY German trance producers Jurgen Mutshall and Dominic DeLeon have been practising their art as producers and artists since 1999, providing mixes of Club Chart monsters such as 2000 by Binary Finary, Back In My Life by Alice...

All the charts: exposure.
August 3, 2002... CHART COMMENTARY It may be "hotter than a pepper sprout" outside, to quote from Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood's summer of '67 hit Jackson, but on the airplay chart the freeze continues with Elvis Vs. JXL and Kylie Minogue in suspended...

The official UK airplay charts top 50.
August 3, 2002... THE OFFICIAL UK AIRPLAY CHARTS TOP 50 Weeks Position on on sales This Last chart chart 1 1 14 11 A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION 2 2 12 46 ...

Classical.com links with Freeserve. (Classical news).
August 3, 2002... The marketing reach and brand profile of Classical.com have both received a significant boost following the conclusion of a commercial agreement with Freeserve. The deal, structured to deliver a classical music subscription service on...

Wilkinson joins one for you. (Classical news).
August 3, 2002... Andy Wilkinson has been appointed general manager of One For You, the Cheshire-based specialist independent classical distributor, replacing Bernard Pallut. The company is set to take on distribution of the Etcetera label in August, reinforcing...

Le Roi Danse: Music by Lully, Cordier, Cambert, Michel Lambert. Musica Antiqua Koln (Deutsche Grammophon 463 446-2).
August 3, 2002... Belgian film-maker Gerard Corbiau follows on from his Oscar-nominated Farinelli with a sumptuous look at Louis XIV's patronage of the arts as a tool of political power. Le Roi Danse explores the relationship between the Sun King, the dramatist...