Music Week articles from March 2002

Music Week archives from March 2002

Chart leaks prompt midweeks rethink.
March 2, 2002... Plans to restrict the availability of midweek sales data are due to be unveiled this week in a bid to clamp down on early leaks of sales chart positions in the press and other media. The BPI and the UK Official Charts Company are due to...

Sting & The Police's Very Best Of was challenging for a Top 10 position in the albums chart yesterday (Sunday), boosted by renewed TV advertising and Sting's performance as winner of the Brits outstanding contribution award.
March 2, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Sting & The Police's Very Best Of was challenging for a Top 10 position in the albums chart yesterday (Sunday), boosted by renewed TV advertising and Sting's (pictured) performance as winner of the Brits...

Dann quits Emap role to go it alone.
March 2, 2002... Emap's prince of pop Trevor Dann is adding another paragraph to his CV by leaving the group to create his own production outfit and help in the running of a record label. However, the managing director of pop at Emap Performance will not...

Young joins Queen's Jubilee gig.
March 2, 2002... Pop Idol winner Will Young is set to perform at one of two concerts being staged to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee this summer. Young, whose double-A-sided single Anything's Possible/ Evergreen is released by BMG today (Monday) after...

Eavis inks Mean Fiddler deal.
March 2, 2002... After a "weekend of hesitation" Glastonbury's Michael Eavis and the Mean Fiddler Music Group finally thrashed out their proposed joint venture deal last Wednesday, in a move which will secure the future of the festival for the next five years....

Ash set to leave V Shop as Virgin merges retail HQs. (News).
March 2, 2002... V Shop managing director Chris Ash is set to leave the chain as part of plans to merge its entire head office functions with those of Virgin Megastores. Andy Randall, currently managing director of the Megastores, will also take on Ash's...

Wildstar's Craig David has become the first UK male solo artist to make his Hot 100 Top 10 breakthrough in more than four years, with 7 Days this week climbing 2-10 on the Billboard chart.
March 2, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Wildstar's Craig David (pictured) has become the first UK male solo artist to make his Hot 100 Top 10 breakthrough in more than four years, with 7 Days this week climbing 12-10 on the Billboard chart. The...

MPs create group to focus on music. (News).
March 2, 2002... The music industry is to receive increased focus within the House Of Commons with the creation of a new All-Party Friends Of Music group. The group is being headed by Pete Wishart, a former member of both Big Country and Runrig, who is now...

One-stop royalty shop goes online after MCPS-PRS deal. (News).
March 2, 2002... A groundbreaking licensing deal forged by UK collection societies MCPS and PRS and organisations including the European Digital Media Association (EDiMA) is to establish a one-stop shop for online royalty collection. Under the agreement,...

DVD sales increase as fans take to extras. (News).
March 2, 2002... The addition of extras such as exclusive live material and alternative camera angles helped music DVDs take an increased stake in the 2bn [pounds sterling] video home entertainment market last year. According to new figures from the British...

EMI eyes its labels in drive for savings. (News).
March 2, 2002... EMI is expected to look for more savings from labels if it cannot push through the sale of its manufacturing business as part of its plan to create annual savings of 65m [pounds sterling]. Reports last week, unconfirmed by EMI, suggest that...

Sony renews Independiente deal.
March 2, 2002... Independiente and Sony Music have renewed their international licensing deal after weeks of negotiations. Independiente's Andy Macdonald says Sony has been a "great" partner -- it first signed the partnership when the label started in 1997 --...

Musicians' Union allow election.
March 2, 2002... Members of the Musicians' Union have given the union a mandate to press forward with the election of a new general secretary after voting in a new rule change which allows the process to be conducted under Trade Union rules. The MU executive...

Entrants flood radio awards.
March 2, 2002... A record number of entries have been received for this year's Radio Academy-organised Sony Radio Awards, taking place at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on May 2. In a change this year, a launch is taking place at the Commonwealth Club on March...

Campus buys Channelfly's SBN.
March 2, 2002... Campus Media, a new company, is to acquire the entire share capital of national student radio network SBN from Channelfly Plc. Campus says it intends to seek admission to Aim and is looking to raise 2.5m [pounds sterling] through a share...

Music Choice offered PPL licence.
March 2, 2002... Digital audio broadcaster Music Choice has been granted a licence by PPL. Music Choice says the agreement makes it the first multichannel digital audio broadcaster which PPL has licensed to copy sound recordings for broadcast in the UK on...

Sanctuary purchases Westside.
March 2, 2002... Sanctuary Studios, part of the Sanctuary music to media group, has acquired one of London's most historic studios, Westside. The refurbished facility was purchased from legendary producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who have recorded...

Tip Sheet in format change.
March 2, 2002... The Tip Sheet is to scale down its operations, reducing the size of its print version and abandoning its weekly CD. Editor Joe Taylor has left, with Kevin Dawson taking over. The Tip Sheet's message board continues.

Honduras joins WIPO.
March 2, 2002... The World Intellectual Property Organisation's Phonograms and Performance Treaty (WPPT) was ratified by Honduras last week, with the treaty set to come into force on May 20. WPPT is the first global copyright framework for the digital era and...

Great Brits -- but time for rethink. (M W Comment).
March 2, 2002... Forget the TV audience decline, the Brits this year was a triumph. It was, arguably, the most complete, musically diverse show yet -- but it may also have brought the moment when we need to take stock. The Brits' strengths have become its...

Pop: time to stop the whingeing. (Tilly).
March 2, 2002... Don't you get fed up with the whingeing of older superstars such as Elton John and Sting?. Elton chose not to perform at last week's Brit Awards but instead to spend the evening on Newsnight criticising the music industry for exploiting the...

Brits highlight public's favourites despite lack of surprise winners. (News).
March 2, 2002... Record-buyers and the music industry proved themselves to be in almost total agreement at this year's Brits, as 2001's biggest sellers grabbed most of the night's prizes. In a roll of honour lacking surprises, but perfectly reflecting the...

Brits team probes source of press leak. (News).
March 2, 2002... The organisers behind the Brits are launching an investigation into how the list of winners was once again leaked early to the press. A near-perfect set of "predictions" appeared inside The Sun four days before last Wednesday's ceremony and...

While six-times-nominated Gorillaz were overlooked on the night of the Brits, the stunning high-tech set from Parlophone's animated band threatened to steal the show from under the noses of their human rivals.
March 2, 2002... While six-times-nominated Gorillaz (pictured) were overlooked on the night of the Brits, the stunning high-tech set from Parlophone's animated band threatened to steal the show from under the noses of their human rivals. Based on an original...

Rough trade founder Geoff Travis acclaimed the UK for being the first to recognise The Strokes, after the New York band's triumphant Brits performance and best international newcomer award.
March 2, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis acclaimed the UK for being the first to recognise The Strokes (pictured), after the New York band's triumphant Brits performance and best international newcomer award. "It...

"Wadsworth upbeat over TV audience. (Brits News).
March 2, 2002... Brits chairman Tony Wadsworth remains upbeat about this year's Brits TV viewing figures, despite the fact that its pre-video 7.5m audience was down by nearly 1m on 2001's total. The Thursday night ITV1 programme grabbed an average audience...

Kylie and Dido lauded by press. (Brits News).
March 2, 2002... Kylie Minogue and Dido were crowned queens of the Brits by the UK's national press as Fleet Street this year dwarfed even its 2001 blanket coverage of the annual music event. LD Publicity's Bernard Doherty, whose company has handled...

Brit bites. (Brits News).
March 2, 2002... `The performers were fantastic: Gorillaz were a great opener, The Strokes were fantastic and so was Sting. The only let down, if there was a let down, was it was blighted by the competes. For Fox and Fleetwood, we now have Skinner and Ball' ...

Capital Radio buys big AM licenses. (news file).
March 2, 2002... The Wireless Group's Big AM analogue and digital licences, which cover Greater Manchester, have been sold to Capital Radio for 250,000 [pounds sterling] and will be rebranded Capital Gold. Big AM broadcasts to 2.3m adults and will join the...

Bond to leave Universal. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Universal Music International corporate communications vice president Lisa Bond is leaving the group later this week. A spokesman for the group says that no details are yet available on Bond's replacement.

No decision on Young successor. (news file).
March 2, 2002... The BBC says no contracts have yet been signed for Jimmy Young's successor, despite reports last week that a deal had been finalised for Newsnight presenter Jeremy Vine to take over the Radio Two weekday show. Young is contracted to the...

BT begins Classic FM sponsorship. (news file).
March 2, 2002... BT Openworld has signed a sponsorship deal with Classic FM, to promote BT's classical online music subscription service across its radio, magazine and internet platforms. The deal is centred on Classic FM's Lunchtime Requests show, which...

Labels throw bands at NUS Ents. (news file).
March 2, 2002... The National Union of Students has been offered more than 100 bands by labels keen to raise the profile of their acts at the NUS Ents Convention in April. Acts already confirmed for the 10th annual event from April 10-12 include Relish, The...

Mark Bond moves to Sony. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Mark Bond has moved over from V2 to Sony Music Europe to take up the newly-created role of marketing vice president for European repertoire. Bond spent three-and-a-half years at V2 as licensed repertoire general manager, working on artists...

Perfecto and Apple join forces. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Independent label Perfecto has linked with Apple's i-pod music player to promote Timo Maas's album To Get Down, which is due out on March 4. Music marketing company Toffeeapple has loaded multimedia content onto the i-pods, which can be viewed...

Uncut. (news file).
March 2, 2002... IPC magazine Uncut's ABC figure for July to December 2001 should have read 73,186 and not as stated last week. This represents a 37.6% increase on the year.

This week's BPI awards. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Enrique Iglesias' Escape album goes platinum, while the following albums receive gold gongs: Creed's Weathered, Brandy's Full Moon, Elbow's Asleep At The Back and the Best Club Anthems 2002 and Love Album Classics compilations.

Dion in Parky and Hello! Boost for Epic LP rollout. (Marketing).
March 2, 2002... Epic Records has secured two high-profile promotional coups as part of its extensive UK campaign for Celine Dion's A New Day Has Come album, which is released on March 25. The label has confirmed an interview and performance on the...

Emap programming team beefed up for digital radio launches. (Marketing).
March 2, 2002... Emap Performance is set to strengthen its programming team in preparation for the launch of its digital radio channels this year. Smash Hits Radio will be the first to air at the beginning of April with others, including Q Radio, planned to...

Following the success of a joint tour and album project last year for Nana Mouskouri, Universal Classics and publisher The Flying Music Company have joined forces to promote veteran Greek artist Demis Roussos.
March 2, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Following the success of a joint tour and album project last year for Nana Mouskouri, Universal Classics and publisher The Flying Music Company have joined forces to promote veteran Greek artist Demis...

Big players unite for global viral marketing campaigns. (Marketing).
March 2, 2002... Youth marketing company Cake Group has joined forces with US-based Electric Artists to form a pan-European viral marketing business for music and film clients. Warner Music and Virgin Records are the first record companies to use the...

Niche music radio stations score high in Roar survey. (Marketing).
March 2, 2002... Music radio is second only to TV at retaining the loyalty of the influential 15- to 24-year-old demographic, according to new research published by five media groups. The latest Roar panel-based survey -- which was commissioned by Guardian...

Chrysalis builds overseas position with European publishing network. (International).
March 2, 2002... Chrysalis Music is billing itself as a genuine alternative to the major publishers across Europe, after completing a network of operations in every key territory. The UK independent last week unveiled new publishing ventures in Italy and...

Russell Watson has been rewarded for his first promo trip down under, with debut album The Voice cracking the Top 20 there after just one week on sale.
March 2, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Russell Watson (pictured) has been rewarded for his first promo trip down under, with debut album The Voice cracking the Top 20 there after just one week on sale. The Decca-issued release's arrival at 19 on...

UK Top 20 Airplay Hits in Europe. (International).
March 2, 2002... UK TOP 20 AIRPLAY HITS IN EUROPE TW LW Title/Artist (UK company) 1 1 In Your Eyes Kylie Minogue (Parlophone) 2 2 World Of Our Own Westlife (RCA) 3 3 Can't Get You Out... Kylie Minogue (Parlophone) 4 4 ...

Gavin US Urban Top 20. (International).
March 2, 2002... GAVIN US URBAN TOP 20 TW LW Title/Artist (UK company) 1 7 Oops, Oh My! Tweet (The Gold Mind/EastWest/EEG) 2 3 What About Us Brandy (Atlantic) 3 2 Nothing In this World Keke Wyatt (MCA) 4 5 Lights,...

Top UK and UK-Signed Sales Chart Performers Abroad. (International).
March 2, 2002... TOP UK AND UK-SIGNED SALES CHART PERFORMERS ABROAD chart Country Title/Artist (Label) pos. LW AUSTRALIA single Murder... Sophie Ellis 3 -- ...

American chartwatch. (International).
March 2, 2002... Although there is only one new entry to the Top 100 of the Billboard albums chart this week (Chris Isaak's Always Got Tonight at number 24), the winter wind-down is finally over with record buyers returning to record shops in droves. Overall...

George Michael's Freeek! follows its promising first week on Europe's airplay charts with a series of rapid moves in its second week, including progressing 26-4 in Denmark, 45-9 in Norway and 46-13 in Finland while vaulting to seven in Italy.
March 2, 2002... * George Michael's Freeek! follows its promising first week on Europe's airplay charts with a series of rapid moves in its second week, including progressing 26-4 in Denmark, 45-9 in Norway and 46-13 in Finland while vaulting to seven in Italy....

Sophie Ellis Bextor is looking a strong bet to return to the top of the Australian singles chart she led with Spiller's Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) in 2000, as Murder On The Dancefloor this week claims highest new entry honours.
March 2, 2002... * Sophie Ellis Bextor is looking a strong bet to return to the top of the Australian singles chart she led with Spiller's Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) in 2000, as Murder On The Dancefloor this week claims highest new entry honours. The...

Daniel Bedingfield claims one of the highest new entry slots on the Australian singles countdown as the Relentless-issued Gotta Get Thru This starts its chart life at number 18.
March 2, 2002... * Daniel Bedingfield claims one of the highest new entry slots on the Australian singles countdown, as the Relentless-issued Gotta Get Thru This starts its chart life at number 18. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands the single climbs 56-46 in its...

BMG's UK-signed Aussie Natalie Imbruglia returns at 33 down under with Wrong Impression which last week continued its climb up the Canadian airplay chart with a one-place move to 26.
March 2, 2002... * BMG's UK-signed Aussie Natalie Imbruglia returns at 33 down under with Wrong Impression, which last week continued its climb up the Canadian airplay chart with a one-place move to 26. Ahead of its commercial release, the single is also...

EMI Liberty's Kate Winslet moves ever closer to chart-topping status on both Austria and the Netherlands' airplay charts with three-place climbs to sit at number two on both surveys.
March 2, 2002... * EMI Liberty's Kate Winslet moves ever closer to chart-topping status on both Austria and the Netherlands' airplay charts with three-place climbs to sit at number two on both surveys. On the Dutch sales chart, Winslet remains a Top 10 fixture,...

Sony S2's Jamiroquai hold their place at the top of the Australian albums chart with the double-platinum A Funk Odyssey as the album's second single Love Foolosophy attempts to match its predecessor Little L's huge airplay popularity across Europe.
March 2, 2002... * Sony S2's Jamiroquai hold their place at the top of the Australian albums chart with the double-platinum A Funk Odyssey as the album's second single Love Foolosophy attempts to match its predecessor Little L's huge airplay popularity across...

Atomic Kitten strengthen their position as the highest-ranked UK-signed act on the French singles chart with Eternal Flame moving 6-5, as fellow Innocent/Virgin act Blue improve 24-22 with All Rise.
March 2, 2002... * Atomic Kitten strengthen their position as the highest-ranked UK-signed act on the French singles chart with Eternal Flame moving 6-5, as fellow Innocent/Virgin act Blue improve 24-22 with All Rise. In Canada, Eternal Flame's predecessor...

BMG's Westlife have one of the fastest-moving tracks on the Danish airplay chart with World Of Our Own climbing 15-7, as it enters the Dutch radio countdown at 33 to give the band two tracks in the Top 50.
March 2, 2002... * BMG's Westlife have one of the fastest-moving tracks on the Danish airplay chart with World Of Our Own climbing 15-7, as it enters the Dutch radio countdown at 33 to give the band two tracks in the Top 50. The other, Queen Of My Heart, drops...

J Records signs Stewart. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Rod Stewart has been signed by Clive Davis following the end of his 26-year association with Warner Music. Davis' J Records will release Stewart's first album through the deal in October.

Dancestar heads to us. (news file).
March 2, 2002... The Dancestar Awards will host their first US event in March to coincide with Miami's Winter Music Conference. Taking place on March 24, the awards will be held at the city's Jackie Gleason Theatre and will feature 16 award categories along...

Cook returns for Normstock II. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Fatboy Slim is confirmed to headline another free party on Brighton Beach in July 2002. The exact date in July is yet to be confirmed, but the relevant permission has been granted and more details will be announced in the coming weeks. Last...

Vintage Rowland track gets release. (news file).
March 2, 2002... A previously unreleased Dexy's Midnight Runners track, entitled Kevin Rowland's 13th Time, will be added to a new version of the act's classic Don't Stand Me Down album, which is set to be released through EMI on April 15. The album will also...

Ministry confirms Rapster deal. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Ministry of Sound Recordings has signed artist Princess Superstar for the UK, Eire, GSA and Scandinavia in a licensing deal with German company Rapster Records. The timing of the deal means the single Bad Babysitter and the album Princess...

Cave EP gets mail order release. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Nick Cave is to release a five-track mail order-only EP entitled Love Letter. It features the album version of the title track plus four live Westside Session tracks -- Fifteen Feet Of Pure White Snow, And No More Shall We Part, God Is In The...

MW playlist. (news file).
March 2, 2002... Sugababes -- Freak Like Me (Universal Island) Vying for the title of cheekiest comeback of the year (single, April 29); Firefly -- Walk Away (unsigned) London six-piece showing promise far beyond their years (demo); A -- Hi-Fi Serious (London)...

Unsigned acts take DIY route to nurture profile. (A&R).
March 2, 2002... A number of acts currently attracting major A&R interest are choosing to release material independently in a bid to develop profile ahead of signing long-term deals. The trend comes at a time when labels are increasingly looking to sign...

Source prepares for `a good year' with crop of new signings. (A&R).
March 2, 2002... Source Records is gearing up for the summer after making its first wave of signings this year. The label has signed the Audio Bullys, a promising dance production duo who are currently working on their first single for the label. "One...

Former EMI:Chrysalis artist Rico has recorded a string of tracks with Tricky to be issued on an independently-released EP.
March 2, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Former EMI:Chrysalis artist Rico has recorded a string of tracks with Tricky to be issued on an independently-released EP. Mixed Up Faces will be the lead song from the three-track EP, which was recorded in...

BBC turns from Bob to Bill & Ben. (A & R).
March 2, 2002... BBC Worldwide is expanding its record operations with the appointment of Alex Reay as acquisition and development executive. The division aims to increase the number of music spin-offs from its TV properties, after the success of releases...

Battery studios seeks tenants. (A & R).
March 2, 2002... London's Battery Studios is looking for a new occupier following parent company Zomba's decision to exit from the day-to-day running of the studio complex as a business. The studio will be available for a single tenant or to individual...

Lebrecht joins Evening Standard. (Classical news).
March 2, 2002... Norman Lebrecht, long-time critic and occasional scourge of the classical record industry, has been appointed assistant editor of the Evening Standard, London's daily newspaper. The journalist and author has been charged by the paper's new...

EMI builds Gheorghiu's profile. (Classical news).
March 2, 2002... As part of its declared commitment to core classical repertoire, EMI Classics is drawing together several threads in its ongoing marketing and promotion campaign for Angela Gheorghiu (pictured above). The Romanian soprano's Covent Garden...

R Strauss: Orchestral Songs; Four Last Songs. Isokoski; Berlin Radio SO/ Janowski. (Album of the week).
March 2, 2002... R STRAUSS: Orchestral Songs; Four Last Songs. Isokoski; Berlin Radio SO/ Janowski (Ondine ODE 982-2). This is one of those rare discs that gets better and better with repeated listening. Soile Isokoski is beyond doubt a supreme Straussian,...

William Walton -- The Centenary Edition: Belshazzar's Feast, Coronation Music, Henry V Suite, Symphonies; Concertos, Hindemith Variations, etc. Terfel, Little, Cohen, Neubauer; Bournemouth SO/Litton. (Reviews: for records released up to 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... WILLIAM WALTON - THE CENTENARY EDITION: Belshazzar's Feast, Coronation Music, Henry V Suite, Symphonies; Concertos, Hindemith Variations, etc. Terfel, Little, Cohen, Neubauer; Bournemouth SO/Litton (Decca 470 508-2 (4CD)). Andrew Litton's music...

Orff: Carmina Burana. Hong, Olsen, Patriarco; Atlanta SO and Chorus/Runnicles. (Reviews: for records released up to 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... ORFF: Carmina Burana. Hong, Olsen, Patriarco; Atlanta SO and Chorus/Runnicles (Telarc CD-80575). Scottish conductor Donald Runnicles, music director of San Francisco Opera, made his reputation in Germany as a Wagner interpreter. His new version...

Valentin Silvestrov -- Leggiero, Pesante: Sonata for cello and piano; String Quartet No.1; Postludium 1, 2 & 3; Hymne 2001. Lechner, Avenhaus, Fordham, Silvestrov; Rosamunde Quartet. (Reviews: for records released up to 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... VALENTIN SILVESTROV -- LEGGIERO, PESANTE: Sonata for cello and piano; String Quartet No.1; Postludium 1, 2 & 3; Hymne 2001. Lechner, Avenhaus, Fordham, Silvestrov; Rosamunde Quartet (ECM New Series 1776 461 898-2). The contemplative bleakness...

Natalie Imbruglia: Wrong Impression. (Single of the week: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... NATALIE IMBRUGLIA: Wrong Impression (RCA 74321928352). Co-written by Imbruglia and Gary Clark, with production by Ian Stanley, awake interest in White Lilies Island, Imbruglia's under-rated second album, which was released at the end of 2001....

Shaggy & Ali G: Me Julie. (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... SHAGGY & ALI G: Me Julie (Universal Island CID793). As one might expect from a comedy record, the weight of this track is carried by Shaggy with Sacha Baron Cohen interjecting with juvenile innuendo as Ali G. As a song it has little artistic...

Alicia Keys: A Woman's Worth. (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] ALICIA KEYS: A Woman's Worth (J Records 74321 913482). The second single from the platinum-selling Songs In A Minor is an intimate R&B cut which is not as immediate as her number three debut Fallin'. However, it is another soulful...

Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come. (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... CELINE DION: A New Day Has Come (Epic 6725032). Sony's Canadian superstar unveils the title track from her first studio album since 1997's 28m-selling Let's Talk About Love. Dion is one of the most successful artists of all time and, despite...

Ascension: For A Lifetime. (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] ASCENSION: For A Lifetime (Xtravaganza XTRAV20CDS). This vocal trance tune, penned by Simmonds & Jones (Space Brothers, Chakra), is typically catchy and boasts strong mixes from Ocean Lab, Alex Gold and Lustral.

Mick Jagger: Visions Of Paradise. (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... MICK JAGGER: Visions Of Paradise (Virgin VUSCD240). The seasoned Stones singer collaborates with Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas and Kyle Cook on this, the second single from his latest solo album, Goddess In The Doorway. Jagger's vocals are as strong...

Nelly: Number 1. (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... NELLY: Number 1 (Virgin/Priority PTYCD146). The St Louis hip-hop star lends his services to this single, which is lifted from the soundtrack of the movie Training Day. This is Nelly's first outing since the Top Three smash Batter Up and...

Jewel: Standing Still. (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... JEWEL: Standing Still (Atlantic 756785164-20). This is the acclaimed singer-songwriter's first single from her fourth album, This Way. It is a forthright acoustic gem which may have too sharp a country twang to gain favour with the UK public.

Adam F Feat Lil' Mo: Where's My ... (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... ADAM F FEAT LIL' MO: Where's My... (Capitol CDEMS 598). Rising star Lil' Mo takes the vocal duties on this, the follow-up to Adam F's collaboration with MOP on Stand Clear. It is more easily digestible than its predecessor and, with a...

Way Out West: Mindcircus. (Single reviews: for records out on 11 March 2002).
March 2, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] WAY OUT WEST: Mindcircus (Distinctive Breaks DISMTCD80). This is the standout track from the Bristol dance duo's album Intensify and looks set to win them the acclaim they deserve. Featuring haunting vocals from Tricia Lee...