Music Week articles from May 2002

Music Week archives from May 2002

BMG vows to rewrite industry rulebook.
May 4, 2002... BMG president/CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz has outlined plans for a radical reshaping of its global operation, as it aims to convince Bertelsmann that music is a viable business. Schmidt-Holtz addressed the major's UK operation for the first...

BMG executives on both sides of the Atlantic paid tribute this week to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who was killed in a car crash last Thursday while on holiday in Honduras.
May 4, 2002... BMG executives on both sides of the Atlantic paid tribute this week to Lisa "Loft Eye" Lopes (pictured), who was killed in a car crash last Thursday while on holiday in Honduras. The 30-year-old was understood to be among seven people involved...

MoS links with Rawling to sign Louise.
May 4, 2002... Top UK writer and producer Brian Rawling is expanding his joint venture operation with Ministry of Sound to launch record label Metrophonic Records. Former EMI:Chrysalis artist Louise has become the new label's first signing, via a...

UK indies lose out in DNA case.
May 4, 2002... Fifteen UK indies are among those estimated to have lost up to $3m (2.1m [pounds sterling]) of consignment stock Stateside, after a US ruling went against them last week. The indies' distributor Distribution North America (DNA)/ Valley...

Munns rejigs EMI marketing.
May 4, 2002... EMI Recorded Music vice chairman David Munns has brought his "one world, one market" vision to the record group, by creating a new global marketing structure with no regard for the restrictions of borders, language or time zones. The new...

Columbia is reaching the parts other singles do not reach with the launch of their official World Cup song We're On The Ball by Ant and Dec. (News).
May 4, 2002... Columbia is reaching the parts other singles do not reach with the launch of their official World Cup song We're On The Ball by Ant and Dec. The single was delivered to radio at 3pm last Thursday as the official press conference kicked off at...

King sparks debate with Tip Sheet posts. (News).
May 4, 2002... Jonathan King attempted to re-enter music industry debate last week, just months after starting a seven-year jail sentence for sex offences. King used his now-defunct Tip Sheet publication's online message board to air his views on Pop...

UK set to dominate Europe predicts new MW report. (News).
May 4, 2002... The UK is set to capture almost one-third of all music business across Europe by 2010 as Russia emerges as a significant new power. That is the forecast of the newly-published first Music Week European Report which, in the short term,...

HMV sale bonanza to aid EMI's profit opportunities. (News).
May 4, 2002... EMI is in line for a massive windfall of up to 181m [pounds sterling] when the 834m [pounds sterling]-valued HMV Group floats on the stock market in mid-May. EMI's announcement last week indicated that it expects to pick up 69m [pounds...

Bromley calls in OFT after PC rejects Dion. (News).
May 4, 2002... The Office of Fair Trading is being brought into a local council investigation over the way record companies label copy-protected CDs. Bromley trading standards officer Bob Gilham says he is preparing to hand over to the OFT his findings...

Amazon reports easing losses. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Internet retailer Amazon.com has reduced its first quarter loss from the previous year as sales rose 21% but, as expected, did not show a profit. The company reported a loss of $23.2m compared with a loss of $234.1m the previous year as revenue...

Jowell to speak at Savoy event. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Culture, media and sport secretary Tessa Jowell will be among the speakers at a European conference organised by Dow Jones and PricewaterhouseCoopers for the entertainment industry. The May 22 event at London's Savoy will look at issues...

Sherwood urges Agents to join up. (news file).
May 4, 2002... The UK-based Agents Association is urging more rock agents to join its ranks by highlighting its ability to help with disputes and advice on contracts. Its president Tony Sherwood says the 400-strong organisation can help them. "You never need...

Griffiths returns to Sony. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Sony Music royalty manager David Griffiths is retiring from the company at the end of this month after 36 years' service and working under eight different chairmen. PAUL WILLIAMS (paulw@musicweek.com)

Mike Allen. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Mike Allen is EMI Recorded Music VP international marketing and not as reported in last week's Music Week. PAUL WILLIAMS (paulw@musicweek.com)

Rethinking the `re' words. (MW Comment).
May 4, 2002... Restructuring. Reshaping. Recreate ([c] Alain Levy). The key terms of 2001 -- and 2002, so far -- have been predominantly "re" words. And they will continue being so into 2003 and beyond. Michael Smellie and Rolf Schmidt-Holz's vision for...

Switching labels is not the answer. (Tilly).
May 4, 2002... I see our old friend George Michael is distressed and disillusioned after the mediocre success of his first single for ages, Freeek!. Well, George, it did make the Top 10 and your new company Universal gave it their best shot, but, despite all...

Bartoli targets hat-trick of Classical Brit gongs. (News).
May 4, 2002... Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli is chasing triple glory at this year's Classical Brits, spearheading Universal Classics' nine-strong nominations haul. The Decca signing's Gluck: Italian Arias has been shortlisted for both Rover album...

Loss of Price leaves gap in Eurovision TV. (News).
May 4, 2002... BBC TV executives are urgently reviewing their Eurovision coverage plans following the shock death last week of rising star Christopher Price. The 34-year-old host of BBC1 and BBC Choice entertainment programme Liquid News was due to front...

Golden Jubilee gig wins US showing. (News).
May 4, 2002... VH1 in the US is among a charge of broadcasters from across more than 50 countries that have already agreed to screen this June's Golden Jubilee pep concert from Buckingham Palace. The US music station looks set to broadcast highlights of...

Vivendi Universal and Sony upbeat despite music dip. (News).
May 4, 2002... Vivendi Universal chief Jean-Marie Messier unveiled better-than-expected first quarter results for the company last week during an annual meeting at which he faced heckling from shareholders. Messier, whose sacking of the chief executive of...

MTV's Caring in the hot seat following departure of Irvine. (News).
May 4, 2002... MTV Networks UK has moved quickly to replace head of talent and artist relations Stephen Irvine, who has quit the music channel after more than five years. Irvine was the main contact between all MTV's channels and record labels and he has...

Innocent Records has agreed an exclusive UK broadcast deal with Emap TV to show a new Blue video for the track Best in Me, which is due for release across South East Asia, excluding Japan. (News).
May 4, 2002... Innocent Records has agreed an exclusive UK broadcast deal with Emap TV to show a new Blue (pictured) video for the track Best In Me, which is due for release across South East Asia, excluding Japan. Emap TV's director of music Simon Sadler...

R1 set for Sonar live show debut. (News).
May 4, 2002... Radio One is spreading its live music coverage to Sonar for the first time this year, with plans to stage three live shows from the festival. John Peel's One World show and Blue Room with Chris Coco will feature live material recorded at...

Fopp continues push into England with 2.5m [pounds sterling] to finance new outlets. (News).
May 4, 2002... Scottish-based independent retail chain Fopp continues its expansion into England with store openings in Bath, Cambridge and at a prime location in London during the next three months. The company, formed in Glasgow 21 years ago, spent...

Warner/Chappell muscles in as Edel quits publishing. (News).
May 4, 2002... Edel Music has quit publishing and returned to the shape and structure of the company before its 1998 stock market listing after selling its 50% stake in Deston Songs. Edel, which set up Deston Songs with Desmond Child, Winston Simone and...

Sanity store launch reports strong sales. (News).
May 4, 2002... Sanity UK launched the first of its re-branded Our Price stores at London's Waterloo station last Tuesday, marking the first phase of a roll-out in which 10 outlets will open over the next two months. The changeover to the Sanity brand name...

Uncut celebrates fifth birthday. (news file).
May 4, 2002... IPC Media's Uncut magazine is marking its fifth anniversary with the new edition hitting stores this Thursday featuring two CDs containing Bob Dylan covers. Two images of the artist will grace two different covers of the magazine with one taken...

R5 unveils World Cup music shows. (news file).
May 4, 2002... DJ Spoony, Steve Lamacq and Mark & Lard are all to feature in a series of music programmes Radio Five Live is planning around the World Cup. In addition, New Order has supplied the station with its own World Cup theme, Such A Good Thing, which...

Borders set to launch more stories. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Borders' portfolio of UK stores is set to reach 16 this autumn with the announcement of two further new stores in Watford and Stockport. A 2,150sq m store will be launched at Wafford's Waterfields Retail Park in September followed a month later...

Xfm gears up for tube posters. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Capital-owned new music station Xfm begins the second phase of its twopart London Underground poster campaign today (Monday) aimed at attracting more listeners to its Christian O'Connell breakfast show. The ads created by agency Quiet Storm are...

Evian wins Kylie sponsorship. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Evian has signed a deal to be the official water brand for the Kylie Minogue Fever tour in the UK and Germany. The deal will see the Evian logo redesigned to create limited-edition Kylie Evian 50cl bottles which will be distributed free at all...

Music managers forum details. (news file).
May 4, 2002... The contact details given for the Music Managers Forum in last week's Raising Finance supplement were incorrect. They should have read: 7 Russell Gardens, London W14 8EZ, tel, 020 7751 1894, fax, 020 7603 4411. PAUL WILLIAMS...

Jools & friends power ahead. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Jools Holland & Friends' Small World Big Band album goes two-times platinum, while Lostprophets' Fake Sound Of Progress and Maria Callas' Popular Music From TV, Film And Opera both go gold. Albums receiving silver awards include The Planets'...

How TV shows' ratings compare. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Programme this week % change (000s) on 2001 Top Of The Pops * 4,012 n/a Top Of The Pops II (Tues) 1,905 n/a Top Of The Pops II (Weds) 1,658 ...

Polydor's Sophie Ellis Bextor strengthens her airplay position in several territories this week with Murder on the Dancefloor. (chart file).
May 4, 2002... * Polydor's Sophie Ellis Bextor strengthens her airplay position in several territories this week with Murder On The Dancefloor. The track enters the Spanish airplay chart at 23 and climbs at radio in Austria (19-18), Denmark (15-7),...

One Giant Leap make strides in the Australian albums chart after claiming the highest newly-arrrived hit by a UK-signed act. (chart file).
May 4, 2002... * One Giant Leap make strides in the Australian albums chart after claiming the highest newly-arrived hit by a UK-signed act. Their Palm Pictures-issued self-titled album enters at 18, while lead-off single My Culture with Robbie Williams and...

Natalie Imbruglia's Wrong Impression breaks into the Top 30 airplay chart in France and Norway this week, as radio also warms to the track in Ireland and the Netherlands. (chart file).
May 4, 2002... * Natalie Imbruglia's Wrong Impression breaks into the Top 30 airplay chart in France and Norway this week, as radio also warms to the track in Ireland and the Netherlands. The BMG issued single jumps 34-17 in France, and moves 14-10 in Ireland...

Big Brothers/Sony Oasis hit the number one spot in Italy's sales chart this week with The Hindu Times. (chart file).
May 4, 2002... * Big Brother/Sony's Oasis hit the number one spot in Italy's sales chart this week with The Hindu Times. The single from the forthcoming Heathen Chemistry album also enters Spain's sales chart at two. The band are set to perform at Modena's...

Parlophone-signed Kylie Minogue's Fever album is on the rise on the Canadian albums chart as it jumps 17-16. (chart file).
May 4, 2002... * Parlophone-signed Kylie Minogue's Fever album is on the rise on the Canadian albums chart as it jumps 17-16. Meanwhile, radio support is building for Minogue's labelmates the Pet Shop Boys' latest single Home And Dry. The track holds at 23 in...

BMG's Westlife and Polydor's Ronan Keating battle it out in the Danish airplay chart this week with the boy band's World Of Our Own at 15 and the latter's If Tomorrow Never Comes arriving at 17. (chart file).
May 4, 2002... * BMG's Westlife and Polydor's Ronan Keating battle it out in the Danish airplay chart this week with the boy band's World Of Our Own at 15 and the latter's If Tomorrow Never Comes arriving at 17. Keating also makes gains in Norway, where the...

It is an airplay double whammy for A1 in Norway with Caught in the Middle growing 12-7, while new single Make It Good enters the chart at 23. (chart file).
May 4, 2002... * It is an airplay double whammy for A1 in Norway with Caught In The Middle growing 12-7, while new single Make It Good enters the chart at 23. Elsewhere at European radio, the older single leaps 32-22 in Germany and rises in Austria (16-12)...

Dirty Vegas look to clean up in US wilh TV ad boost. (International).
May 4, 2002... Parlophone's Dirty Vegas are on the verge of exploding in the US on the back of exposure for their track Days Go By, which has been selected by Mitsubishi as the soundbed for a multi-million-dollar TV ad campaign. The track, which enjoyed...

Mercury Records is rolling out its first release from David Charvet across continental Europe following chart success for the track Jusqu'au Bout in France. (International).
May 4, 2002... Mercury Records is rolling out its first release from David Charvet (pictured) across continental Europe following chart success for the track Jusqu'au Bout in France. The French-born, US-raised singer-songwriter, who is already well known for...

UK top 20 airplay hits in Europe. (International).
May 4, 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 Westllfe (RCA) 3 3 Home And Dry Pet Shop Boys (Parlophone) 4 4...

Promo diary: zero 7. (International).
May 4, 2002... PROMO DIARY: ZERO 7 April 29 San Diego show and performing three or four songs on radio station KXST Apdl 30 Los Angeles for radio and TV promo with KYSR May 1 San Francisco, Bimbos 365 Club show, radio promo with KFOG --...

Top UK and UK-signed sales chart performers abroad. (International).
May 4, 2002... TOP UK AND UK-SIGNED SALES CHART PERFORMERS ABROAD Country Title/Artist (Label) chart pos. LW AUSTRALIA single Murder... Sophie Ellis Bextor (Polydor) ...

American chartwatch. (International).
May 4, 2002... According to data collected by SoundScan for its Billboard chart computations, singles sales in the US this year appear to be in total meltdown, with a downturn of 60%, compared to 2001, which was itself a disaster. We rarely mention singles...

Taylor to plug Wise Buddah. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Wise Buddah Music has appointed former Tip Sheet editor Joe Taylor as part-time plugger, with the brief to develop opportunities for its writers and producers. The company's production team of Bill Padley and Jem Godfrey are set to score one of...

Mr Nasty, the novel. (news file).
May 4, 2002... BMG A&R consultant Simon Cowell has signed a deal with publisher Arrow to write a book on how to succeed in the music business. Tentatively titled The X Factor, it is due to be published in March 2003. Cowell intends to "give the advice every...

Liberty X go old skool. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Liberty X have recorded a version of Mantronix's 1989 dance classic Got To Have Your Love as their fourth single, the follow up to forthcoming single Just A Little, which is released on May 13. Their version will be included on their debut...

Tubby lands deal. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Virgin Records has made its first new artist signing since the recent restructuring of the label's A&R department. "The signing of Tubby T is a great statement for the new A&R team at Virgin to make: Tubby T is a genius," says Virgin managing...

Baker starts new label. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Arthur Baker has set up a punk/electro dance label called Whacked Records. "I am really turned on to the music around at the moment and have met some great people to work with," says Baker, whose first release through the label will be the...

Labels eye up new pop duo. (news file).
May 4, 2002... A new duo working with producer Steve Levine are attracting A&R interest from a number of major labels. The as-yet-unnamed boy/girl duo, who are both 17 years old, have been working on demo material with the likes of Oskar Paul and Liz...

Buzz builds on the Bees. (news file).
May 4, 2002... The Bees are once again the subject of A&R interest having parted company with Wall Of Sound. The band recently released their You Got To Leave EP to critical acclaim. JAMES ROBERTS (james@musicweek.com)

MW playlist. (news file).
May 4, 2002... Idlewild -- The Remote Part (Parlophone) A band of the brink of something very big (album, July); The Soulsavers -- Beginning To See The Dark EP (City Rockers) One-off release providing evidence that there is more to the label-of-the-moment...

Bill & Ben in studio for new BBC album. (A&R).
May 4, 2002... BBC Music is looking to repeat the huge success of its Bob The Builder and Tweenies projects with an album release from Bill & Ben. Tentatively-titled A Potted History, the album is in the final stages of development, with its release...

Soulpower to tap into Europe with UK base. (A&R).
May 4, 2002... Leading US R&B producers Soulpower have set up a new base in London in a move to expand into new territories away from their West Coast base. "There is a European R&B sound going on right now which is really interesting," says Soulshock,...

Former Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin has signed a new long-term solo deal with EMI:Chrysalis, in an internal move which sees her switch from sister company Virgin Records. (A&R).
May 4, 2002... Former Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin has signed a new long-term solo deal with EMI:Chrysalis, in an internal move which sees her switch from sister company Virgin Records. Skin's debut solo album will be overseen by Chris Briggs, who also...

Producer profile. (A&R).
May 4, 2002... His name has been hot on the underground for so long you could be forgiven for thinking Ed Case has a string of albums to his name. But, the truth is, he has only just completed work on his debut long player for Columbia, Ed's Guest List (due...

Warner Classics backs new signings. (Classical news).
May 4, 2002... Warner Classics is looking to spread the word that it remains an important player among the classical majors. The company's radical downsizing at the end of last year convinced many observers that its established and trusted labels would...

Wallen disc poised for crossover. (Classical news).
May 4, 2002... Composer, pianist and songwriter Errollyn Wallen's artistry is sufficiently agile to allow her to cross musical barriers without offending purist sensibilities or compromising her musical integrity. The Belize-born, UK-based musician's...

Mahler: Symphony No.3. Larsson; London Symphony Chorus; Berlin Philharmonic/Abbado (Deutsche Grammophon 471 502-2 (2CD)).
May 4, 2002... MAHLER: Symphony No.3. Larsson; London Symphony Chorus; Berlin Philharmonic/Abbado (Deutsche Grammophon 471 502-2 (2CD)). This disc, the first major-label release of Mahler's Third Symphony for several years, vividly captures the life-and-death...

JS Bach: Keyboard Concertos Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7. Perahia; Academy of St Martin in the Fields (Sony Classical SK 89690).
May 4, 2002... Murray Perahia completes his survey of Bach's keyboard concertos with performances that spring from an absolute sympathy for the music, its rhetoric and inner workings. He directs the Academy of St Martin In The Fields from the piano,...

Haydn: Schopfungsmesse; Harmoniemesse. Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists/Gardiner (Philips 470 297-2 (2CD)).
May 4, 2002... John Eliot Gardiner's abrupt phrase endings in the celebratory sections of these two mature Haydn masses reinforce the impression that these are anything but routine interpretations. Countless details of phrasing, word emphasis and articulation...

Bliss: Piano Quartet; Bliss; The Rout Trot; Four Songs; Triptych; Angels of the Mind. Helen Meyerhoff; Chamber Domaine (ASV CD DCA 1128).
May 4, 2002... Sir Arthur Bliss became Master of the Queen's Music soon after the present Queen's coronation, more than satisfying the duties of a model "establishment" composer until his death in 1975. During his youth, Bliss attracted attention as a musical...

Liberty X: Just a Little (V2 VVR5018963).
May 4, 2002... LIBERTY X: Just A Little (V2 VVR5018963). The "flopstars" label will soon be forgotten as Liberty X unleash their classiest single to date. Able to learn from Hear'Say's mistakes, the not-so-famous five offer a sexier, R&B-infused take on pop,...

Fat Joe (Feat Ashanti): What's Luv? (Atlantic AT0128CD).
May 4, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] The South Bronx rap veteran finally gets his shot at the top of the UK charts with this hook-laden pop rap/R&B outing, which is A-listed at Radio One. Following the Top 10 success of recent combinations featuring artists such...

Heartless Crew: The Heartless Theme (East West HEART02CD).
May 4, 2002... With a huge street following in London, Heartless now attempt to take that nationwide with their debut single. The crew's MCs showcase their party-style rap but, although they are B-listed at Radio One they may struggle to improve on Pay As You...

Alien Ant Farm: Attitude (DreamWorks 4508292).
May 4, 2002... This third AAF single, which is taken from their chart-hugging debut album ANThology, brings to mind the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with Dryden Mitchell's impassioned vocals accompanying a funk-metal backdrop to good effect.

Green Velvet: La La Land (Credence CDCRED025).
May 4, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] This idiosyncratic house monster features the drug-fuelled ranting of producer Curtis Jones. The track has been a dancefloor favourite for some time, but now looks set to cross over after signing to Credence and some sterling...

Pink: Don't Let Me Get Me (Arista 74321939212).
May 4, 2002... Executive produced by Antonio "LA" Reid, the second single from Pink's album Missundaztood cements her new pop rock direction with a hook-filled tribute to teenage angst. The catchy chorus has helped secure a B-listing at Radio One.

Luck & Neat: Irie (Universal Island CID795).
May 4, 2002... The populist UK garage duo launch another salvo with this single taken from their forthcoming album It's All Good. With an infectious bassline and the boys' rough-hewn vocals, Irie also has a nagging hook which will ensure another summer...

Clinic: Come Into Our Room (Domino RUG 137).
May 4, 2002... Taken from Clinic's outstanding recent album Walking With Thee, this is a spooky lo-fi throbbing track with touches of dub and disco. Clinic are fresh from taking the US market, which was intrigued by their skewed Englishness. Strong radio...

Enrique Iglesias: Escape (Label Interscope/Polydor 4977062).
May 4, 2002... The release of Escape, the uptempo title track from Iglesias' platinum-selling album, has been timed to coincide with his first UK tour. Playlisting on MTV and VH1, confirmed TV appearances across major channels and spot plays on national radio...

A1: Make It Good (Columbia 6726182).
May 4, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] This single completes the A1 transformation from cheesy pop to "real" pop, with the band writing the song and playing all instruments. The new formula seems to be more in tune with radio, which delivered their first...

Pilote: Manana 1 EP (Certificate 18 CERT1862).
May 4, 2002... This EP of high-quality, sweet electronica antics contains some of Pilote's strongest work to date. His profile has been raised somewhat since One2One used his track Turtle for an ad campaign.

A: Starbucks (London LOCP467).
May 4, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] This obvious highlight from A's cracking album Hi-Fi Serious is sure to further their impressive run of success. Jason Perry's umistakably nasal vocal sounds a treat on the radio, a factor that has not escaped Radio One,...

Norah Jones: Don't Know Why (Parlophone CDCL836).
May 4, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] Ravi Shankar's daughter is exploding in the US, where her smoky brand of jazz- and folk-influenced pop has found champions across the radio dial. Here it will be a slower build, but Radio Two's A-listing reflects her...

Gemma Hayes: Hanging Around (Source SOURCD046).
May 4, 2002... Hayes' third single heralds a more plugged-in sound than on her previous EPs, with the singer-songwriter revealing a rocky yet light-fingered approach that will provoke inevitable comparisons with PJ Harvey's work. She embarks on a nine-date UK...

R Kelly & Jay-Z: Honey (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Jive 9253662).
May 4, 2002... The US promotional plans for this power duo's album may have come unstuck due to Kelly's recent legal problems, but that can't hide the fact that this is a cracking summer anthem, driven neatly by a Bee Gees sample. It is currently B-listed at...

Ian Van Dahl: Reason (NuLife 74321 938722).
May 4, 2002... Maintaining consistency for its third UK release, NuLife is sure to benefit from the Belgian act's longevity in the clubs and charts. It will be interesting to see if the soon-to-be-released album Ace breaks the sales mould for dance singles...

Tweet: Southern Hummingbird (Eastwest/Elektra 7559-62777-2).
May 4, 2002... [RECOMMENDED] Missy Elliott's latest protegee Tweet serves up some of the most sensual and polished slices of R&B this year so far on her debut album. The brilliant production skills of Elliott and Timbaland lend a characteristic edge to...

Rhianna: Oh Baby (S2 6726232).
May 4, 2002... Having first come to attention working alongside brother (and labelmate) LSK, Rhianna Kenny now unleashes her solo debut. Written by Kenny and produced with Johnny Rockstar, this track is a cool slice of string-driven pop which is B-listed at...