Music Week articles from June 2001

Music Week archives from June 2001

BPI and Aim discuss future links.
June 2, 2001... Instant Karma founder Rob Dickins is to become chairman of the BPI for a fourth successive term as the record industry trade body enters one of the most crucial periods in its 29-year history. Dickins, currently serving his sixth year (and...

NEWS.
June 2, 2001... Motown legend Stevie Wonder (pictured) acquainted himself with the UK's latest wonder Craig David last Thursday after becoming only the third recipient after Hal David and Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller of the Ivor Novello Awards' special...

Travis stake early Mercury claim.
June 2, 2001... Travis and Gorillaz are among the first entrants to stake their claim for this year's Technics Mercury Music Prize before Friday's closing date. Independiente's Travis, who failed to be shortlisted for their last album The Man Who in 1999...

Gatfield looks set for UK return at Universal.
June 2, 2001... Nick Gatfield is understood to be on the verge of making a return to the UK record business after nearly a decade in the US with a senior role at Universal Island. Gatfield, who started his career as a member of Dexys Midnight Runners, is...

EMI looks to raise US game as Beatles lift sales figures.
June 2, 2001... EMI is pinning its future growth prospects on boosting its US performance following the announcement of a healthy set of annual results for the year to the end of March. The company reported a 12% rise in sales to 2.67bn [pounds sterling]...

Supermarkets boost share at expense of specialists.
June 2, 2001... Supermarkets seriously hit the specialist music retailers last year as they increased their share of the albums market by more than a third. Asda, Tesco and the other supermarkets grabbed a 15.3% share of album sales during 2000, according...

UMI appoints Buckwell to lead online activities.
June 2, 2001... Universal Music Internional has stepped up its online marketing efforts with the appointment of Ollie Buckwell to the newly-created role of head of new media. Buckwell, who launched the Dorado label in the early Nineties and was previously...

Radio stations link up for BBC Jazz Awards.
June 2, 2001... Radio Two is emphasising its role as a supporter of niche music by joining forces with Radio Three to launch the BBC Jazz Awards. Radio Two, which already has its own folk awards, and its sister BBC station are promising never-before-seen...

NEWS: news file.
June 2, 2001... PARTY IN THE PARK LINE-UP EXPANDS Ricky Martin and Emma Bunton are the latest artists to be added to the line-up for the 95.8 Capital FM Party In The Park on July 8. Around 25 artists -- Geri Halliwell, David Gray, Tom Jones, Wheatus,...

IVORS: MY, YOUR, OUR GENERATION.
June 2, 2001... The Ivors is always one of the best industry awards shows, and this year's was one of the best yet. It is hard to quibble with a line-up that gathers together the likes of The Clash, Pete Townshend and Stevie Wonder alongside the writers behind...

INDIE CHART: PROBLEMS AHEAD.
June 2, 2001... I have a lot of time for Alison Wenham, chief executive of Aim, but I think even she may have bitten off more than she can chew in trying to establish a true indie chart. The idea of mixing singles and albums could work, as could using all...

Justice is done as David takes three Ivor awards.
June 2, 2001... Pete Townshend straddled three chapters of British songwriting at this year's Ivor Novello Awards as he honoured The Clash, then received an award himself from Bruce Welch. The Who's main writer saluted Welch as his first key musical...

GWR boss embraces new ownership opportunities.
June 2, 2001... Newly-promoted GWR executive chairman Ralph Bernard has played down concerns over the group's falling advertising revenue, choosing to focus instead on the opportunities offered to the radio group by the proposed relaxation of ownership...

Public Domain join DanceStar 2001 bill.
June 2, 2001... Public Domain and M+S Presents The Girl Next Door are the latest' acts to be added to the line-up for DanceStar 2001 taking place on June 6 at London's Alexandra Palace. Mobo Holdings, the company behind DanceStar, has also announced that...

Kingfisher `well advanced' on demerger.
June 2, 2001... Kingfisher claims negotiations to demerge Entertainment UK, MVC, Woolworths and the rest of the group's general merchandise division are so "well advanced" that the move will be deliverable by the end of July. Group chief executive Sir...

MARKETING.
June 2, 2001... Fatboy Slim is to launch Channel 4's first summer tour of open-air dance, movie and cricket events with a performance on Brighton Beach on July 6. The Skint Records artist will be joined by Pepper's Groove Armada for the free show, which is...

Roar study confirms music still `very important' for youth market.
June 2, 2001... An in-depth survey of youth culture in Britain conducted on behalf of five leading media companies has underlined how music remains an essential part of most 15- to 24-year-old's lives. The six-year-old Roar study -- funded jointly by The...

Internet campaigns are more cost-effective, says new study.
June 2, 2001... Marketing music releases online could be almost 40 times more cost effective than using traditional offline media such as television, according to a study by European digital distribution specialist DX3. The company, which is backed by EMI...

Emap endeavours to re-align Box brand with Smash Hits TV.
June 2, 2001... Brand consultancy Bamber Forsyth is within weeks of unveiling a new logo and image for cable and satellite music channel The Box. The company was appointed earlier this year by Emap Performance to rebrand and align The Box with the Smash...

MARKETING: news file.
June 2, 2001... BOL.COM BRINGS MOODLOGIC ONBOARD Bol.com has become the first UK online retailer to license US company Moodlogic's music-browsing technology. Visitors to Bol.com's Music Matcher can find tracks by searching by mood, genre or tempo if they...

chart file.
June 2, 2001... * Depeche Mode outmanoeuvre REM to the number one position in France and Germany with Exciter, which also instantly makes it to the top in Sweden. The Mute album further outclasses the Warner band in Spain, where it debuts a place above them at...

INTERNATIONAL.
June 2, 2001... Several UK acts' North American profiles are to be heavily boosted with the launch in July of what co-organiser Moby is hoping will become an annual touring festival across the US and Canada. Area: One, which the Mute artist is presenting with...

Groundwork and changing US taste set to propel Travis across Atlantic.
June 2, 2001... Independiente is eyeing Travis as the UK's next big breakthrough in the US as the tide continues to turn favourably for British talent across the Atlantic. The group, who are handled by Sony's Sine operation outside the UK, will be...

UK TOP 20 AIRPLAY HITS IN EUROPE.
June 2, 2001... UK TOP 20 AIRPLAY HITS IN EUROPE TW LW Title/Artist (UK company) 1 1 Lovin' Each Day Ronan Keating (Polydor) 2 3 What Took You So Long? Emma Bunton (Virgin) 3 2 Whole Again Atomic Kitten (Innocent) 4 4...

GAVIN US RADIO TOP 20.
June 2, 2001... GAVIN US RADIO TOP 20 TW LW Title/Artist (UK company) 1 1 Lady Marmalade Mya (Interscope) 2 3 Hanging By A Moment Lifehouse (DreamWorks) 3 2 All For You Janet Jackson (Virgin) 4 4 Follow Me Uncle...

TOP UK AND UK-SIGNED SALES CHART PERFORMERS ABROAD.
June 2, 2001... TOP UK AND UK-SIGNED SALES CHART PERFORMERS ABROAD Country Title/Artist (Label) chart pos. LW AUSTRALIA single Whole Again Atomic Kitten (Innocent) 3 ...

AMERICAN CHARTWATCH.
June 2, 2001... After consecutive number ones by Janet Jackson and Destiny's Child debuted with sales of more than 500,000 in the last month, rock fights back with the hard 'n' heavy Tool selling upwards of 555,000 copies of their latest album Lateralus last...

Gorillaz confirmed for Glasto's virtual return.
June 2, 2001... Animated band Gorillaz are among the first acts to be confirmed for Glastonbury 2001, which the organisers are claiming to be the world's first ever virtual festival. The event takes place during the usual Glastonbury weekend (June 22-24)...

Polydor set to blast with Miss Dynamite.
June 2, 2001... Polydor last week completed an albums deal for ragga MC Miss Dynamite, who features as the guest on current club hit Boo by Sticky. Dynamite's profile is set to rise in coming months through her collaborations on singles by a number of...

Cream deals set stage for US drive.
June 2, 2001... Leading dance brand Cream has entered a partnership with Madonna's manager Carese Norman and promoter SFX to develop the US activities of the company, which launches its first US events this week. "We have found key US executives to guide...

In The City unsigned to stress diversity of acts.
June 2, 2001... Organisers of this year's In The City unsigned showcases will be targeting a wider range of delegates for the annual conference in a bid to attract attention to the greater variety of acts appearing. Organisers say that although last year's...

A & R.
June 2, 2001... Sony Music is preparing for the UK release of one of the last projects to emerge from the world-famous Cheiron studios in a joint venture between its A&R teams in the UK and Sweden. Girl trio Lucy Street was signed between Sony Music Sweden's...

A & R: news file.
June 2, 2001... HILL NAMES NEW LABEL VENTURE STOOSH MW producer of the year Mark Hill's new Universal Music-affiliated label will be called Stoosh. The label is to feature a range of artists, stretching beyond the garage scene where Hill first became...

V2 gears up to spread Sawhney's world view.
June 2, 2001... When Nitin Sawhney's breakthrough album Beyond Skin was released in September 1999, the quietly unassuming multi-instrumentalist was little known outside select music circles except, perhaps, as one of the co-founders of the Goodness Gracious...

Respectable UK singles and album sales defy worldwide downturn.
June 2, 2001... Atomic Kitten and the UK singles chart have been hit with more premature obituaries than Mark Twain, John Stonehouse and Paul McCartney combined, so it was rather fitting that their resurrections should coincide in quarter one. It was...

RETAIL FOCUS: SOUNDHOUSE.
June 2, 2001... Since seeing Tom McRae perform as support to Dido, Soundhouse partner Paul Savage has been championing his eponymous album. "On the basis of in-store plays and recommendations the album has been flying out," he says. "I reckon he is the next...

IN-STORE NEXT WEEK (from 4/6/01).
June 2, 2001... Windows -- Radiohead, Mike Oldfield; In-store -- Transport, 3LW, Radiohead, Mike Oldfield, Boris Dlugosch, Proclaimers, Substitute, Kate Rusby, The Wonder Stuff, Travis, Glenn Tilbrook, Matt Deighton, Echo & The Bunnymen, Mary Chapin Carpenter,...

ON THE SHELF.
June 2, 2001... NIGEL HOUSE, partner, Rough Trade, Ladbroke Grove, London "The beginning of the year was crazy, what with all the activities around our 25th anniversary, and winning the Strat Award at the Music Week Awards in March. Although things have...

ON THE ROAD.
June 2, 2001... PAUL HEREDGE, BMG territory manager for London & S England "On June 4 we have the new single from Faithless, We Come 1, and this is followed by an album, Outrospective, on June 18. I've heard a four-track sampler and reckon it is the best...

LIMP BIZKIT: My Way.
June 2, 2001... LIMP BIZKIT: My Way (Interscope 4975732) Released to coincide with a UK arena tour -- including an outdoor extravaganza at Milton Keynes Bowl on June 24 -- this single should consolidate Limp Bizkit's position in the UK as the premier US rock...

ALLSTARS: Best Friends.
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] ALLSTARS: Best Friends (Universal/ Island CID775). Having enjoyed a prime-time slot on the Saturday morning show SMTV, the quintet release this infectious theme tune. Co-written by Pete Cunnah of D:Ream fame and Jamie Petrie, it...

GAY DAD: Harder Faster.
June 2, 2001... GAY DAD: Harder Faster (B-Unique BUN 005CDX), Mauled by the press in 1998, Gay Dad have nevertheless kept the core of their fanbase intact, as their gig at London Camden Dingwalls in March proved. This promising single heralds their second...

TSAR: Silver Shifter.
June 2, 2001... TSAR: Silver Shifter (Edel 0117425HWR). Already A-listed at Xfm, this guitar-driven pop-rock track precedes Tsar's forthcoming album. With trademark riffs and an infectious chorus, this single will build on their current live appearances.

JIMMY VAN M: Sanctuary.
June 2, 2001... JIMMY VAN M: Sanctuary (Bedrock AMBED18). Featured on John Digweed's Live In Los Angeles CD, this is deep trance from the resident DJ at New York's Twilo. Club support should help it make a chart impact.

TEXAS: I Don't Want A Lover.
June 2, 2001... TEXAS: I Don't Want A Lover (Mercury LOVERO1). This remix, courtesy of the Stargate team, is released 14 years after the original track was penned by Johnny McElhone and Sharleen Spiteri. With the familiar Eighties pop sound as well as a new...

THE COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE: The Warfare EP.
June 2, 2001... THE COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE: The Warfare EP (Morning/RCA MORNING4). Reading's sultry grungers follow their low-key debut with a further glimpse of their emerging style. Though it does not quite match the power of their live show -- they are...

THIRTEEN:13: Truth Hurts.
June 2, 2001... THIRTEEN:13: Truth Hurts (Polydor 5870822). This is a wistful, downbeat guitar-based tune which shows a coming of age for the group. It follows live shows with JJ72 and is sure to stir further interest.

JULIENNE TAYLOR: Celtic Mantra.
June 2, 2001... JULIENNE TAYLOR: Celtic Mantra (Virgin VSCD 1804). Championed by Radio Two, Taylor's third single is another Celtic wonder complete with breathy vocals, uillean pipes and bodhran drums. This melodic mantra could go some way to kick-starting her...

NEIL FINN: Last To Know.
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] NEIL FINN: Last To Know (Parlophone CDR6560). While this single hardly breaks new ground it will rightly please the many fans of Crowded House and their melancholy pop. Finn's recent live dates have attracted the likes of Johnny...

ED HARCOURT: Something In My Eye.
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] (Heavenly HVN101CD). The first single from Harcourt's debut album Here Be Monsters, this is a wistful single that leads on well from his Maplewood mini-album. Written by Harcourt and co-produced with Tim Holmes of Death In Vegas,...

DAFT PUNK: Digital Love.
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] DAFT PUNK: Digital Love (Virgin VSCDT 1810). The kings of filtered disco return with another vocoder-tinged track. Catchy, with a hint of Supertramp, this sounds perhaps just a little too last century. It is A-listed at Radio One....

PHATS & SMALL: This Time Around/Respect The Cock.
June 2, 2001... PHATS & SMALL: This Time Around/ Respect The Cock (Multiply CDMULTY 75). Two of dance music's big hitters return with Tony Thompson on vocals, providing more summer vibes with a Cuban flavour. French trio Bel Amour lend some Parisian chic on...

STEREOPHONICS: Have A Nice Day.
June 2, 2001... STEREOPHONICS: Have A Nice Day (V2 VVR5016243). The second single from their third album, Have A Nice Day is Stereophonics' poppiest release yet -- an acoustic-driven uplifting strummer timed perfectly for start of summer. The package includes...

MR DAN: Mr Dan EP.
June 2, 2001... MR DAN: Mr Dan EP (Virgin VSCD802). Dan Carey branches out alone after being the driving force behind the long-running Sunday Best club and being half of Danmass. These four mellow acoustic-tinged tracks have a summery feel.

2PAC: Until The End Of Time.
June 2, 2001... 2PAC: Until The End Of Time (Interscope/Death Row 4975812). This slice of poppy hip hop samples Mr Mister's Broken Wings, and has been C-listed by Radio One. With the rapper reaching a wider fanbase than when he was alive, this is set to...

R KELLY FEAT. JAY Z: Fiesta.
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] R KELLY FEAT. JAY Z: Fiesta (Jive 9252142). This remixed urban cut from the TP-2.com album is a summery track with lilting Spanish guitars. More uptempo than earlier singles from the album, this is set to be Kelly's 20th Top 30 UK...

GLOSS: New York Boy.
June 2, 2001... GLOSS: New York Boy (Nude NUD57CD). Gloss's Icelandic vocalist, Heidrun Anna, comes across at times like a naIve Debbie Harry on this fine slice of guitar-led pop. The future looks shiny for this band, given the success enjoyed by artists such...

INDIA.ARIE: Video.
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] INDIA.ARIE: Video (Motown/Universal TMGCD1505). Quality runs through this impressive Radio One C-listed debut single from the US soul singer. With echoes of Erykah Badu or Jill Scott, this lilting, soulful song lifted from her...

TRAVIS: The Invisible Band.
June 2, 2001... TRAVIS: The invisible Band (Independiente ISOM25CD). Expectations are high for Travis's third album -- the follow-up to the eight-times-platinum The Man Who -- and the Glasgow four-piece do not disappoint. The album, produced by Nigel Godrich,...

ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION: Frontline 1993-97.
June 2, 2001... ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION: Frontline 1993-97 (Nation NRCD2006), London-signed ADF's former label Nation release this collection of now-deleted tracks from pre-Rafi's Revenge singles, plus remixes of tracks from their 1995 debut album Facts And...

IT'S JO & DANNY: Thugs Lounge.
June 2, 2001... IT'S JO & DANNY: Thugs Lounge (Double Snazzy/RCA SNAZZ2CD). The Welsh-based duo make strides in production terms on the follow-up to the acclaimed Lank Haired Girl To Bearded Boy. The acoustic foundations remain, but beats, scratches and quirky...

STATIC-X: Machine.
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] STATIC-X: Machine (Warner Bros 9362-47948-2). The follow-up to Wisconsin Death Trip is another heavy-duty collection of nu metal. With their profile lifted by their support slot on Slipknot's European tour, this album is likely to...

ELLIE CAMPBELL: Ellie.
June 2, 2001... ELLIE CAMPBELL: Ellie (Jive 9201312). Although sounding not unlike stablemate Britney Spears, with big ballads and upbeat pop anthems, this debut collection from the 21-year-old Pete Waterman protege is a strong example of the genre. [dotmusic]...

LAPTOP: The Old Me Vs The New You.
June 2, 2001... LAPTOP: The Old Me Vs The New You (Trust Me TMR005). Laptop's second album seems to be an exercise in fine-tuning their sound, namely Eighties-style electronic pop. Jesse Hartman sounds like Phil Oakey's younger brother, while his deadpan...

OUTSIDAZ: The Bricks.
June 2, 2001... OUTSIDAZ: The Bricks (Ruffnation RLCD-03). Following last year's debut EP, this album highlights Outsidaz' entertaining and upbeat approach. I'm Leaving is an infectious party cut featuring Rah Diggah and Kelis, while Redman and Method Man...

PRAM: Somniloquy.
June 2, 2001... PRAM: Somniloquy (Domino WIGCD95). This is a Pandora's box of oddities from the compelling Pram. They conjure up a sinister sound, with woozy clarinets oozing against clockwork rhythms. This album is made up of new tracks and remixes by...

THE CULT: Beyond Good And Evil.
June 2, 2001... THE CULT: Beyond Good And Evil (Atlantic 7567834402). This is the first Cult album in more than seven years, and reunites Ian Astbury, Billy Duffy and Matt Sorum from the classic line-up. Produced by Bob Rock, this total metal meltdown throws...

SLAM: Alien Radio.
June 2, 2001... SLAM: Alien Radio (Soma SOMACD25). Slam's influence on the UK techno scene in the past decade is undeniable. Alien Radio should propel the duo out of the realms of cult favourites into the same league as Underworld or Orbital. It includes the...

ROBERT MILES: Organik.
June 2, 2001... ROBERT MILES: Organik (Salt SALTCD001). Former "dream house" producer Miles heads downtempo for this album of Eastern-flavoured trip hop. Recruiting world music stars such as Nitin Sawhney plus a 25-piece orchestra, he emerges with a heady mix...

SPRUNG MONKEY: Get A Taste.
June 2, 2001... SPRUNG MONKEY: Get A Taste (Surfdog SD 70002). Though this band may leap from the same primeval soup that gave us Blink 182 and The Offspring, they are more challenging than their peers. Irredeemably indic but major-league in production, even...

DINA CARROLL: Best Of ...
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] DINA CARROLL: Best Of... (Mercury 548918-2). Poised for a comeback, this collection of 18 tracks spans Carroll's successful pop career. With the ballads she is famed for as well as many of her dance hits, this is a diverse...

LEGGO BEAST: Sines And Cymbals.
June 2, 2001... LEGGO BEAST: Sines And Cymbals (Pork 080). Prolific beat-merchant Murray Clarke unleashed his debut From Here To G last year. This album continues the theme, blending jazzy organic sounds with beats.

VARIOUS: Nocturnal Frequencies 03.
June 2, 2001... VARIOUS: Nocturnal Frequencies 03 (Obamuive EVSCD19). Renaissance and Twilo resident DJ Danny Howells is the man behind this double-CD mix of deep and dubby tech-house. Featured artists include Mooncat, Funk D'Void and Stylus Trouble.

SPARKLEHORSE: It's A Wonderful Life.
June 2, 2001... [RECOMMENDED] SPARKLEHORSE: It's A Wonderful Life (Pariophone 5256162). The third album from Mark Linkous proves to be his most accessible to date with its lulling harmonies and lightly-fuzzed guitar pop. This shimmering album features an array...

THE OFFICIAL UK SINGLES CHART TOP 75.
June 2, 2001... CHART COMMENTARY After a couple of weeks in the doldrums, the singles market improved by 32% last week, heralding the simultaneous arrival of six new entries to the Top 10. These include only one established act (Radiohead), one developing...

THE OFFICIAL UK ALBUM CHART TOP 75.
June 2, 2001... CHART COMMENTARY It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We could not be further away from the record industry's favourite season but the chart is filling up with compilations in a manner usually only seen in December. Two legendary...

THE OFFICIAL CHARTS.
June 2, 2001... music week sinGles [NEW] 1 DO YOU REALLY LIKE IT Relentless/MoS DJ Pied Piper & The Masters of Ceremonies 1 2 DON'T STOP MOVIN' Polydor ...

SPECIALIST.
June 2, 2001... CLASSICAL ARTIST This Last Title Artist 1 1 THE VOICE Russell Watson 2 2 AT HER VERY BEST Nana Mouskouri 3 3 THE MAGIC...

DANCE.
June 2, 2001... CHART COMMENTARY For only the second time this year, the same track simultaneously tops the Club and Pop Charts -- and it is probably because of the postal strike. Earlier this year, M&S present The Girl Next Door shot to the top of both...

EXPOSURE.
June 2, 2001... CHART COMMENTARY Sing by Travis becomes the Scottish group's first airplay chart number one this week, and also completes the notable feat of topping the airplay chart prior to commercial release. The record, which comes out today (28th),...

THE OFFICIAL UK AIRPLAY CHARTS TOP 50.
June 2, 2001... music control UK THE OFFICIAL UK AIRPLAY CHARTS TOP 50 Weeks Position on on sales This Last chart chart (a)1 4 6 0 SING (a)2 1 8 2 ...

NEW RELEASES - FOR WEEK STARTING JUNE 4, 2001.
June 2, 2001... RECOMMENDED CATALOGUE NEW RELEASES TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS: Anthology: Through The Years (MCA/ UTV 0881701772) Tom Petty is one of the great survivors and with his band the Heartbreakers has turned in some consistently good...

BRITS SHORTLIST FUELS DEBATE ON POPULARISATIOH OF THE CLASSICS.
June 2, 2001... The growing diversity of classics on disc is now reflected in the genre's biggest awards show -- the Classical Brits. Although aggressive marketing has set the tone in the classical business since he Three Tenors first topped the charts in...

Big names and big productions mark this summer's release schedule.
June 2, 2001... ASV STANFORD: Piano Quartet No.1; Trio No.1. Pirasti Trio, Philip Dukes (CD DCA 1056). Release date: July 2. LEONARDO LEO: Miserere mei Deus and other sacred vocal works. Gruffydd Jones; Choir of Gonville and Caius College,...