Music Week articles from July 2002

Music Week archives from July 2002

Gallant joins HMV as profits double.
July 6, 2002... HMV Europe has turned to one of the music industry's most experienced retail players to help to build on record trading figures, appointing Steve Gallant as product director. Gallant joins the business after four years as Universal Music...

HMV's Brian McLaughlin became the first recipient of the Silver Clef chairman's award at last Friday's annual Nordoff Robbins fund-raising dinner in London.
July 6, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: HMV's Brian McLaughlin became the first recipient of the Silver Clef chairman's award at last Friday's annual Nordoff Robbins fund-raising dinner in London. The award recognised the achievement of McLaughlin...

Music mourns Entwistle and White.
July 6, 2002... The Who's revival North American tour was in doubt at the end of last week, following the sudden death of John Entwistle. Entwistle was found dead at the age of 57 last Friday on the eve of the group's North American tour--as US music...

Students prepare to play for Queen.
July 6, 2002... Brit School students will be showcased both live and on CD when Her Majesty The Queen becomes the first royal to visit the school on Thursday. The Queen and Prince Philip are due to spend 30 minutes at the school during the morning, when...

EMI builds links with indie body.
July 6, 2002... EMI is set to forge closer links with independent labels body Impala, after investigating the possibility of joining the association. It is understood that EMI boss Alain Levy--who has regularly billed the company as "the world's biggest...

Xfm is preparing one of its most ambitious outside broadcasts yet, after winning the rights to transmit live the final night of Oasis's trio of concerts at London's Finsbury Park. (News).
July 6, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Xfm is preparing one of its most ambitious outside broadcasts yet, after winning the rights to transmit live the final night of Oasis's (pictured) trio of concerts at London's Finsbury Park. The...

Majors in negotiations with BBC Fame show. (News).
July 6, 2002... Big Brother TV production company Endemol is understood to be in negotiations with a number of major record companies regarding a deal tied in with its new BBC series Fame Academy. The series, which will be broadcast across BBC1, BBC...

Nevrkla overhaul sees off PPL's legal disputes. (News).
July 6, 2002... PPL has almost cleared out its lengthy backlog of legal disputes since the arrival 20 months ago of Fran Nevrkla as chairman and CEO. Nevrkla, who has triggered an extensive overhaul of the 68-year-old organisation after joining from...

No confidence votes ire Vivendi's Messier. (News).
July 6, 2002... Jean Marie Messier's control of Vivendi Universal loosened last Tuesday when he received votes of no confidence from five of the company's board members. The vote appeared to indicate an increasing estrangement from Universal Music, with...

`No tears' over Napster deal says Aim's Wenham. (News).
July 6, 2002... Aim's chief executive Alison Wenham says she has no regrets about her organisation inking a deal last year with Napster, despite the fact that it faces a legal right to secure 2.7m [pounds sterling] its labels are owed. "This has by no...

UK talent in US boost as Virgin hosts Best of British campaign. (News).
July 6, 2002... The BPI-backed Best Of British campaign in conjunction with Virgin Megastores US launches on July 11 with an industry panel, gig and reception at the retailer's flagship Times Square store. The month-long promotion will begin with a panel...

MTV wins premiere for Michael release. (News).
July 6, 2002... MTV has struck a deal to premiere George Michael's new video simultaneously across its 10 European networks, two days before the track is serviced to radio. Polydor confirmed last Friday that it had secured rights to the single, Shoot The...

Capital FM takes on Smith. (news file).
July 6, 2002... Capital FM's new programming controller Ric Blaxill has made his first appointment since succeeding newly-elevated Jeff Smith in the role. Blaxill has poached Chris Brooks from Essex FM to host Capital FM's new weekend breakfast show, which...

Pressplay gets green light. (news file).
July 6, 2002... Pressplay, which is backed by EMI, Sony and Universal, has signed a deal with Sony Electronics to allow users of the online subscription service to burn downloaded tracks to MiniDisc portable players in the first deal of its kind. The agreement...

BPI forges Russian retail links. (news file).
July 6, 2002... BPI's international committee is facilitating a meeting between a Russian retailer and the UK industry in a bid to force links with the Russian market. Representatives from Soyuuz will meet with BPI members at an informal reception at the...

Songlines up for relaunch. (news file).
July 6, 2002... The world music magazine Songlines is being relaunched independently after being bought by a collective from its parent publishing company Haymarket. The magazine, which is edited by Rough Guide To World Music's co-editor Simon Broughton,...

Dotmusic teams up with MSN. (news file).
July 6, 2002... MSN is giving its Music Channel a new look by teaming up with dotmusic. The one-year deal with the music site, which is part of the BT Openworld network, is intended to broaden the MSN Music Channel's content. The alliance will compliment MSN's...

Mute's Miller to address Dance Event. (news file).
July 6, 2002... Mute Records founder Daniel Miller is to give a keynote speech at this year's Amsterdam Dance Event. Other panellists scheduled to take part include F Comm's Eric Morand, Ninja Tune/Big Dada's Dominic Smith and BMG's Andy Bradley. Issues being...

Warner MDS leave company. (news file).
July 6, 2002... The managing directors of Warner Music International's Scandinavian operations have left the company with the group's vice president of Europe Greo Caccia appointed to oversee the three offices. Warner Music Sweden managing director Sanji...

HMV extends Virgin Radio ties. (news file).
July 6, 2002... HMV has extended its sponsorship deal of the Virgin Radio chart show to run until 2004. HMV originally sponsored the Ben Jones-hosted show, broadcast every Saturday between 12 noon and 2pm, for 12 months starting in December 2001. During the...

Virgin and Amazon join forces. (news file).
July 6, 2002... Virgin Entertainment Group and Amazon have joined forces in Japan and North America to launch co-branded websites. Virginmega.com in North America will be powered by Amazon.com and feature all of the product lines available through Amazon's own...

ACP revamps website. (news file).
July 6, 2002... The Alliance of Counterfeiting and Piracy has launched a re-designed website to provide more information and access to its activities in the fields of intellectual property lobbying, education and research. The website (www.aacp.co.uk) carries...

Siemens to sponsor Urban Seminar. (news file).
July 6, 2002... The fifth annual Urban Music Seminar this year will be sponsored by Siemens Mobile. The free festival takes place on September 7 and 8 at London's Royal Festival Hall and aims to educate young people on how to break into the music industry....

Milloy joins Henry's House PR. (news file).
July 6, 2002... PR agency Henry's House has poached Chrysalis Radio's head of press and PR Jo Milloy to become a director. Milloy, who has spent four years at Chrysalis, will oversee the company's entertainment division, which during the past year has produced...

This week's BPI awards. (news file).
July 6, 2002... Oasis's Heathen Chemistry and The Hives' Your New Favourite Band receive a platinum award this week. Meanwhile, albums going gold include, Squeeze's Big Squeeze--The Very Best Of Squeeze, The Streets' Original Pirate Material and the...

How TV shows' ratings compare. (news file).
July 6, 2002... HOW TV SHOWS' RATINGS COMPARE Programme this week % change Top Of The Pops II (Weds) 2,424 n/a Top Of The Pops II (Tues) 2,230 n/a Top Of The Pops * 2,175 n/a CD:UK...

Radio groups voice confidence as Bill lobby goes to Parliament. (news).
July 6, 2002... The leading commercial radio groups are voicing confidence that they are winning the argument to further relax ownership rules laid down within the new Communications Bill after taking their message directly to Parliament. A group of key...

Hot/Blix Street is preparing to follow up one of the biggest surprise hits of recent years with a successor to the late Eva Cassidy's multi-platinum album Songbird. (News).
July 6, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Hot/Blix Street is preparing to follow up one of the biggest surprise hits of recent years with a successor to the late Eva Cassidy's (pictured) multi-platinum album Songbird. The new set Imagine, which will...

French distributor makes label more in UK market. (News).
July 6, 2002... France's leading independent distributor Wagram Music is moving into the UK market for the first time as a record label. The company, which specialises in lounge and chill-out compilations, has brought in one of Rough Trade's founders Peter...

New marketing team is confirmed at Virgin. (News).
July 6, 2002... Virgin Records has confirmed a new-look marketing team following its recent restructuring. Kelly Bash joins the company as product manager from Relentless Records and will be focusing largely on Virgin's urban roster. She is part of a...

Future targets nu-metal fans with Metal Hammer spin-off. (News).
July 6, 2002... Future Publishing is targeting a younger, more mainstream nu-metal audience with the launch of a sister publication to its monthly title Metal Hammer. Metal Hammer: Special Editions features a different mainstream up-and-coming band every...

Xfm's O'Connell scoops top gong at CRCA ntl Awards. (News).
July 6, 2002... Xfm's Chris O'Connell has shaken off the disappointment of failing to finish among the winners at this year's Sony Radio Awards by being named radio presenter of the year at the sixth CRCA ntl Commercial Radio Awards. O'Connell, who...

Ongoing success of vinyl highlighted by BPI report. (News).
July 6, 2002... UK record buyers' continuing love affair with vinyl has been further confirmed by new figures revealing more than one-fifth of all LPs sold around the world last year was bought in Britain. The UK claimed a global market share of 22.0% for...

Tornado links with broadcaster Virtue. (News).
July 6, 2002... Digital service provider Tornado Group has confirmed its merger with Virtue Broadcasting, after an extraordinary general meeting last Monday. The Aim-listed company, which provides back-end music and download services for the likes of...

MCPS anti-piracy inquiry leads to three-year term for counterfeiter. (News).
July 6, 2002... A Cornwall man has been jailed for three years after pleading guilty to 12 trademark offences, four copyright offences relating to CD counterfeiting and 13 offences relating to making and distributing indecent photographs of children. ...

EMI's indie aim reflects change. (MW Comment).
July 6, 2002... The idea of EMI attempting to become a member of Impala is delicious in its impudence. In some respects, it is an attempt at rebranding which PwC Consulting--sorry, "Monday", as it is now known--would be proud of. But it also underlines...

Surviving the Communications Bill. (News).
July 6, 2002... Aim's AGM drew ah audience of more than 300, made up primarily of record company members. I wonder if, when they are signing and developing artists, they consider themselves as mere content providers? Because that is how we ate viewed by the...

Polydor artist Sophie Ellis Bextor's pan-European bit Murder On The Dancefloor starts to explode in France, as it mores 19-8 on the country's airplay chart on the back of a recent promo trip there. (chart file).
July 6, 2002... * Polydor artist Sophie Ellis Bextor's pan-European bit Murder On The Dancefloor starts to explode in France, as it mores 19-8 on the country's airplay chart on the back of a recent promo trip there. While the track hangs on in the airplay and...

V2's Liberty X experience a boost in Australia for their single Just A Little as it debuts at 28--the chart's highest arriving UK-sourced track. (chart file).
July 6, 2002... * V2's Liberty X experience a boost in Australia for their single Just A Little as it debuts at 28--the chart's highest arriving UK-sourced track. Their fortunes around Europe are also on the rise as Just A Little jumps 28-15 on the Dutch...

Ronan Keating extends his chart run in the upper reaches of the Australian and Dutch sales charts with single If Tomorrow Never Comes. (chart file).
July 6, 2002... * Ronan Keating extends his chart run in the upper reaches of the Australian and Dutch sales charts with single If Tomorrow Never Comes. It slips three to sit at six on the Dutch countdown, while the same title slides two places to six in...

Innocent/Virgin's Atomic Kitten see their single It's OK dip 32-34 on the Dutch singles chart but make gains across Europe's airwaves. (chart file).
July 6, 2002... * Innocent/Virgin's Atomic Kitten see their single It's OK dip 32-34 on the Dutch singles chart but make gains across Europe's airwaves. In Germany it jumps 23-18 on the airplay chart and makes its mark at 21 in Austria.

As the first single from Coldplay's A Rush Of Blood To The Head album--In My Place--goes to radio in Europe, the band's Parlophone-issued debut Parachutes re-enters the Dutch sales chart this week. (chart file).
July 6, 2002... * As the first single from Coldplay's A Rush Of Blood To The Head album--In My Place--goes to radio in Europe, the band's Parlophone-issued debut Parachutes re-enters the Dutch sales chart this week. General press activity surrounding the new...

WEA London-signing Holly Valance makes her German airplay chart debut as her first single Kiss Kiss arrives at 43 to sit a place behind Universal Island's Sugababes with Freak Like Me. (chart file).
July 6, 2002... * WEA London-signing Holly Valance makes her German airplay chart debut as her first single Kiss Kiss arrives at 43 to sit a place behind Universal Island's Sugababes with Freak Like Me. The profile of Kiss Kiss also lifts in Italy where the...

Palm Pictures' 1 Giant Leap make their greatest strides in Italy this week where the band are handled by Palm's affiliate Nun. (chart file).
July 6, 2002... * Palm Pictures' 1 Giant Leap make their greatest strides in Italy this week where the band are handled by Palm's affiliate Nun. The lead-off single from the world music album project My Culture, featuring Robbie Williams and Maxi Jazz, enters...

SME plans sustained live assault for Bowie album. (International).
July 6, 2002... Sony Music Europe is focusing on a sustained promotional and live assault around Europe for David Bowie in the coming week, following the positive early chart impact of his Heathen album across the continent and in North America. A string...

Palm Pictures' Cousteau are hoping to build on a growing fanbase in Italy with the international release of their second album, Sirena. (International).
July 6, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Palm Pictures' Cousteau (pictured) are hoping to build on a growing fanbase in Italy with the international release of their second album, Sirena. The Belgian five-piece's independently released self-titled...

UK Top 20 airplay hits in Europe. (International).
July 6, 2002... UK TOP 20 AIRPLAY HITS IN EUROPE TW LW Title/Artist (UK company) 1 1 Love At First Sight Kylie Minogue (Parlophone) 2 2 Murder On The Dancefloor Sophie Ellis-Bextor (Polydor) 3 3 If Tomorrow...

Promo diary: garbage. (International).
July 6, 2002... June 30 Roskilde Festival, Denmark. Interviews scheduled: MTV Nordic and press conferencewith Scandic media July 2 Russia, St Petersburg Ice Palace. Interviews scheduled: Europa Plus and STS TV July 3 Russia, Moscow DS Luzhniki/Olympinski....

Top UK and UK-signed sales chart performers abroad. (International).
July 6, 2002... Top UK and UK-signed sales chart performers abroad Country Title/Artist (Label) Chart pos. LW AUSTRALIA single Kiss Kiss Holly 3 2 Valance (Warner) ...

American chartwatch. (International).
July 6, 2002... Papa Roach's US albums chart career started fairly quietly in May 2000, when Infest debuted at number 48 with 29,000 sales, but its subsequent success--it peaked at number five and eventually sold more than 3m copies--suggested that their...

Austin signs to Karma's Showbiz. (news file).
July 6, 2002... Instant Karma's Showbiz imprint has struck a licensing deal with German label Kitty-Yo for 57-year-old Austrian crooner Louie Austen. Future Singles through the deal include Amore and Grab My Shaft--a collaboration with electro sleaze queen,...

Rhymes rap contest. (news file).
July 6, 2002... This week, BMG is hosting the final of a rapping competition it has been running as part of the ongoing street promotion for Busta Rhymes' current album. Dubbed Pass Me My Courvoisier, the campaign has invited entrants to record their own...

Multiply links with Ali B. (news file).
July 6, 2002... Telstar's dance label Multiply has struck a joint venture label deal with radio and club DJ Ali B, whose current projects include a show on Capital FM and residency at Fabric. The new label will be called Air Recordings. "We're very excited to...

Southern Fried denied hit due to formatting mistake. (A&R).
July 6, 2002... A formatting error by Norman Cook's label Southern Fried has meant that one of the summer's biggest dance singles has missed out on a high singles chart placing this week. Sales of Space Cowboy's I Would Die For You were set to give the...

Management alliance to boost Supervision artists. (A&R).
July 6, 2002... A number of UK-managed acts are set for a significant boost in the US, following the conclusion of an alliance struck between Channelfly's management company Supervision and US management veteran Bill McGaffy. The deal will see acts...

From So Solid garage to the mainstream. (A&R Focus Romeo).
July 6, 2002... When one of the nation's leading commercial radio stations admits that Ja Rule has replaced Robbie Williams as its favourite airplay artist, it is a sure sign that the rise of urban music is complete. Not only has it reached the mainstream, it...

Beyonce Knowles: Work It Out. (Columbia 6729822).
July 6, 2002... BEYONCE KNOWLES: Work It Out (Columbia 6729822). If a starring role in the third Austin Powers movie, a prime spot on the soundtrack and the sky-high profile of Destiny's Child were not enough, Beyonce Knowles' first solo single is ah...

My vitriol: Moodswings/The Gentle Art of Choking (Infectious INFEC107CDSP).
July 6, 2002... MY VITRIOL: Moodswings/The Gentle Art Of Choking (Infectious INFEC107CDSP). This double A-side single includes new track Moodswings, on which melodic vocals butt up against swirling guitars, and The Gentte Art..., which is taken from the...

Custom: Hey Mister (Artist Direct LC 11939).
July 6, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] CUSTOM: Hey Mister (Artist Direct LC 11939). This one-man band is already a rising name in the US and this single perfectly demonstrates what all the fuss is about. It is edgy but commercially-aware contemporary rock, which...

ATC: Around the World (EMI Liberty CD8TC001).
July 6, 2002... ATC: Around The World (EMI Liberty CD8TC001). This German-based four-piece --their full name is A Touch Of Class--met while working as cast members in the German production of Cats. After spending seven weeks at number one at home, the band are...

The Rapture: Olio (Output/DFA OPRDFA003).
July 6, 2002... THE RAPTURE: Olio (Output/DFA OPRDFA003). Doffing its cap to the NY post-disco scene are The Rapture, whose second single more than justifies the hype. Sounding like The Cure produced by Giorgio Moroder, Olio's throbbing electro rhythms and...

The Streets: Weak Become Heroes (Locked On/679 679Lo07CD1).
July 6, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] THE STREETS: Weak Become Heroes (Locked On/679 679LoOTCD1). For the radio mix, Steve Osbourne smoothes out the rough edges of this ode to rave culture lifted from Mike Skinner's gold album Original Pirate Material. While this...

D MAC: The World She Knows (Chrysalis CDCHS5140).
July 6, 2002... D MAC: The World She Knows (Chrysalis CDCHS5140). One half with former RCA duo Mero steps out solo with this slice of quality R&B pop. Up against the various Pop Idol stars D Mac may struggle to get noticed, but this debut is every bit capable...

Mercury Rev: Little Rhymes (V2 5019783).
July 6, 2002... MERCURY REV: Little Rhymes (V2 5019783). Last year's serious-minded All Is Dream failed to whip the critics up into quite the same frenzy as 1998's Deserter's Songs, but the Rev still do not sound like any other band. This second single from...

LCD Soundsystem: Losing my Edge/Beat Connection (Output/DFA OPRDFA002).
July 6, 2002... LCD SOUNDSYSTEM: Losing my Edge/ Beat Connection (Output/DFA OPRDFAO02). LCD Soundsystem, aka New York's James Murphy, delivers the goods on this driving, sarcastic piece of stomping electrofunk. An inspired signing for Trevor Jackson's Output...

Pet Shop Boys: I Get Along (Parlophone CDR6581).
July 6, 2002... PET SHOP BOYS: I Get Along (Parlophone CDR6581). Despite the echoes of Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes' Up From We Belong within the grooves, I Get Along is a great song, containing all the downbeat lyricism and pop nous expected from a Pet Shop...

Hoobastank: Running Away (Mercury 5868732).
July 6, 2002... HOOBASTANK: Running Away (Mercury 5868732). While their last single Crawling In The Dark offered some originality, this follow-up shows why the major-label rockers are finding it difficult to shake off the comparisons to the mighty Incubus. The...

Angie Stone: Wish I Didn't Miss You (J Records 74321939182).
July 6, 2002... ANGIE STONE: Wish I Didn't Miss You (J Records 74321939182). One of the highlights of last year's album Mahogany Soul, this soulful number recalls the Eighties in its urgent melody, although Stone's much vaunted old-school influences are in...

Elton John & Alessandro Safina: Your Song (Mercury 0639972).
July 6, 2002... ELTON JOHN & ALESSANDRO SAFINA: Your Song (Mercury 0639972). Elton rolls out this classic with the aid of contemporary opera star Safina, all in support of Sport Relief. High-profile exposure--it is set to be used as the soundbed for all major...

Shakira: Underneath Your Clothes (Epic 67295352).
July 6, 2002... SHAKIRA: Underneath Your Clothes (Epic 67295352}. Dangerously close to The Bangles' Eternal Flame in parts, this ballad is the latest offering from the Columbian superstar. It fails to reach the heights and perhaps lacks the immediate appeal of...

The Crescent: Test of Time (Hut HUTCD157).
July 6, 2002... THE CRESCENT: Test Of Time (Hut HUTCD157). The Crescent's second single is another piece of sturdy Brit-rock that could make stronger commercial inroads than debut offering On The Run managed. The band are midway through a 16-date UK tour,...

Beth Orton: Concrete Sky (Heavenly HVN115CD).
July 6, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] BETH ORTON: Concrete Sky (Heavenly HVN115CD). This first single from Orton's long-awaited third album, Daybreaker, is as sublime as it is unrepresentative of the rest of the album. Where Daybreaker as a whole conjures up a hazy,...

Idlewild: The Remote Part (Parlophone 5402430).
July 6, 2002... IDLEWILD: The Remote Part (Parlophone 5402430). Kicking off with explosive single You Held The World In Your Arms, it is clear from the outset this is a band playing in a new league. Current single American English ensures the overused REM...

Cajmee presents Walter Phillips: Sometimes I Do (Casual CAJ283).
July 6, 2002... CAJMERE PRESENTS WALTER PHILLIPS: Sometimes I Do (Casual CAJ283). Curtis Jones has recently been enjoying mainstream success under his Green Velvet guise and here he delivers another underground house classic. Walter Phillips has an enviable...

Incubus: Are You In? (Epic 6226728482).
July 6, 2002... INCUBUS: Are You In? (Epic 6226728482). Taken from Incubus's 2001 album Morning View, this funky yet laidback track sounds like a summer chart-hugger. As the song's catchy title is repeated, Boyd's vocals soar skywards, making it very...

Various: Austin Powers In Goldmember (OST) (Maverick 9362483492).
July 6, 2002... VARIOUS: Austin Powers In Goldmember (OST) (Maverick 9362483492). Powers' latest mission is accompanied by this sharp soundtrack, which contains tracks from Britney Spears and The Rolling Stones mixed with specially-recorded material from...

Bryan Adams/Hans Zimmer: Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron (A&M 4933042).
July 6, 2002... BRYAN ADAMS/HANS ZIMMER: Spirit Stallion Of The Cimarron (A&M 4933042). This soundtrack to the DreamWorks movie is largely a new Bryan Adams album (eight new tracks) with some incidental music by Zimmer. Adams' first new material in two years...

Various: Beachlife--the Salinas Sessions (INCredible 5062952).
July 6, 2002... VARIOUS: Beachlife--The Salinas Sessions (INCredible 5062952). Mixed by one of the world's most celebrated beach DJs, Jon Sa Trincha, this compilation captures the essence of Ibiza's famous Salinas beach. It is already making all the right...

Dennis Brown: The Promised Land (Blood & Fire BAFCD039).
July 6, 2002... DENNIS BROWN: The Promised Land (Blood & Fire BAFCD039). Often dubbed the Crown Prince of Reggae because of his fine voice, this new release from the great Blood & Fire label sees the release of the rare Joseph's Coat of Many Colours album,...

Homelife: Flying Wonders (Ninja Tune ZENCD7).
July 6, 2002... HOMELIFE: Flying Wonders (Ninja Tune ZENCD7). This is the third album from the expansive Mancunian collective and their first for Ninja Tune. Flying Wonders is a thrilling set with ah abundance of frisky jazz, wonky leftfield songs and moments...

Misty In Roots: Roots Controller (Real World CDRW104).
July 6, 2002... MISTY IN ROOTS: Roots Controller (Real World CDRW104). This legendary band return to the studio after a break of 12 years. Misty were probably the best British reggae band of the late Seventies and early Eighties and were stalwarts of Rock...

Various: GTDJ001--James Zabiela (Groovotoch GTDJ001).
July 6, 2002... VARIOUS: GTDJ001--James Zabiela (Groovotoch GTDJO01). The first of Groovetech's DJ mix series, GTDJ001 is a meandering snapshot of contemporary club music, with Zabiela faultlessly mixing a diverse blend of techno, breaks and hard house. It is...

Claire Sweeney: Claire (Telstar TCD3251).
July 6, 2002... CLAIRE SWEENEY: Claire (Telstar TCD3251). To the music elitists, a mere scan of the tracklisting--which includes versions of My Heart Will Go On and Light My Fire--will cause toes to curl. However, this album is made for a market all too often...

OBI: The Magic Land of Radio (Cooking Vinyl COOKCD229).
July 6, 2002... OBI: The Magic Land Of Radio (Cooking Vinyl COOKCD229). Obi's debut album contains eight unassuming but totally absorbing acoustic tracks produced by Charlie Francis. Ranging from rock to alt-country to beautiful guitar pop, this collection is...