Music Week articles from May 2003

Music Week archives from May 2003

Download dawn gathers pace: EMI unveils extensive pre-release plans ...
May 3, 2003... EMI's ground-breaking online programme launches this week with a line-up of pre-release downloads including tracks by Dandy Warhols, Jamelia, Yoko Ono and KV5. The pre-release strategy, which will offer tracks as downloads at the moment...

Download dawn gathers pace ... as indies join forces with KaZaA.
May 3, 2003... UK indies are getting into bed with controversial peer-to-peer network KaZaA on a legitimate footing, offering repertoire as pre-release downloads. Tracks by several of independent label Cooking Vinyl's roster of artists will be made...

Apple set to announce Mac-based digital music service details. (news file).
May 3, 2003... Apple Computers' chief executive Steve Jobs is due, this evening (Monday), to announce details of the computer giant's new, Mac-centric digital music service. It is expected to allow consumers to download music, synced into its iTunes player...

Posthumous Nina Simone sales up 1,000% at HMV. (news file).
May 3, 2003... Music retailers have reported a sharp increase in sales of the Nina Simone (pictured) beck catalogue following the singer's death, aged 70, on April 21. HMV says sales of her Universal album Feeling Good increased by around 1,000% during last...

BMG creates new look global marketing group. (news file).
May 3, 2003... BMG is creating a new global marketing group following the recent integration of Zomba Music. The new worldwide team will be headed by Tim Prescott, executive VP and chief marketing officer, who will report directly to BMG chairman and CEO Rolf...

Campbell joins Zenith as non-executive chairman. (news file).
May 3, 2003... One-time Virgin Radio chief executive David Campbell, who last year suddenly quit his post as Ministry of Sound's head of radio operations, has been taken on by independent TV production company Zenith Entertainment as non-executive chairman....

MTV joins forces with BBC to promote the Lick parties. (news file).
May 3, 2003... MTV Networks UK has struck its first media partnership with the BBC in a deal to promote MTV Base programme The Lick's fifth birthday parties, which are being held in Leeds and London over next week's May Bank Holiday weekend.

Metal Hammer launches awards show. (news file).
May 3, 2003... Metal Hammer is adding its name to the long list of music awards shows with the first Metal Hammer Awards. The Future Publishing title's inaugural awards will take place on June 3 at London's Forum comprising 20 categories and will be hosted by...

Capital appoints Bennett to commercial director role. (news file).
May 3, 2003... Capital Radio's director of national sales Chris Bennett has been appointed as commercial development director, with the brief of finding new revenue streams for the group, including content exploitation and licensing.

EMI appoints Hedstrom to COO role. (news file).
May 3, 2003... EMI Recorded Music Continental Europe has recruited Thomas Hedstrom (pictured) to become regional division COO. Hedstrom, who will take up the role on May 5, joins from Universal Music International where he was Eastern Europe vice president.

Absolute recruits Richardson to bolster FM bid chances. (news file).
May 3, 2003... Absolute Radio has appointed a commercial and development director as part of its bid for the large-scale Glasgow FM licence. Pam Richardson joins from sponsorship, PR and events company Carnergie Worldwide. She was previously at Central FM,...

MW playlist. (News).
May 3, 2003... P.O.D.--Sleeping Awake (Maverick) With classics Alive and Youth Of The Nation providing the backdrop to the movie Blue Crush, this new cut--lifted from the soundtrack to The Matrix: Reloaded--proves P.O.D. are the most syncable band in rock...

Music DVD selling more units than VHS. (News).
May 3, 2003... DVD is now more important to music lovers than VHS, with a massive 67% of all visual music sales being bought on the format last year, compared to just 35% in 2001. A new British Video Association report also reveals that, for the first...

Royalty battle unearths 'lost' 1967 Bowie tracks. (News).
May 3, 2003... Three unreleased David Bowie tracks dating from the dawn of his career have been unearthed by the team working for Gus Dudgeon's estate in a royalties battle with the singer. The master tapes of the recordings, dating from 1967, were...

Labels look to ringtones for better singles offer. (News).
May 3, 2003... Record companies are increasingly turning to "official" ringtones as alternative revenue streams as they look to make up the shortfall from the declining singles market. While the buoyant ringtones business has, to date, been largely run...

Universal is planning to repromote its soundtrack to the Standing in the Shadows of Motown movie when it receives its UK cinema release this summer. (News).
May 3, 2003... Universal is planning to repromote its soundtrack to the Standing In The Shadows Of Motown movie when it receives its UK cinema release this summer. The film tells the story of Motown's legendary--but widely overlooked--in-house band of...

Jam DVD shortlisted as Cads night nears. (News).
May 3, 2003... Music Week Awards winner The Complete Jam is among the contenders for the best music DVD concept prize, at this Thursday's MW Creative & Design Awards. The Universal-issued disc is shortlisted for the award alongside the...

Pirates take biggest share as 5m download internet music. (News).
May 3, 2003... The scale of music downloading in the UK has been highlighted by a new survey suggesting around 5m people are regularly accessing tracks via the internet. The NOP study, which was commissioned by the BPI, BVA and Film Distributors...

Music wins own voice on Trade Partners UK. (News).
May 3, 2003... The UK music industry has been given its own specialist promoter within the Government's Trade Partners UK to aid the sale of British music abroad. Former Grapevine international director Phil Patterson, who has held international jobs at...

BPI sales awards reflect shrinking singles market. (News).
May 3, 2003... The ever-shrinking singles market is hitting industry certifications, with the number of disc presentations halving in just a year. Only a dozen platinum, gold or silver singles sales awards were certified by the BPI during the opening...

EMI adds weight to move online. (MW comment).
May 3, 2003... It has been a long time coming, but the music industry's migration online appears to be gathering pace. The simple availability of music as legitimate downloads is not particularly new. There is a whole range of repertoire--some of it even...

Elton's Toronto gig defies Sars scare. (News).
May 3, 2003... Elton John last week appeared ready to defy travel warnings prompted by the Sars scare by agreeing to honour a concert commitment in Toronto tonight. As Music Week went to press last Friday, the promoter confirmed the concert--part of a...

S Club unveil final release. (news file).
May 3, 2003... Following the recent announcement of the group's split, Polydor will release S Club's final album, Best... The Greatest Hits S Club 7, on June 2. The album will include the farewell single Say Goodbye, which is released on May 26. Meanwhile, S...

Warp Records signs!!! (news file).
May 3, 2003... Warp Records has signed Sacramento/New York-based eight-piece punk funk act!!! (pronounced chk chk chk) whose members include Tyler Pope from LCD Soundsystem. !!!, who released their self-titled debut through GSL in 2000, say they chose the...

Stock launches Better the Devil. (news file).
May 3, 2003... Veteran pop producer Mike Stock, formerly one-third of Stock Aitken & Waterman, has unveiled details of the first signing to his new label Better The Devil Records. June 2 will see the release of Fast Food Song by Fast Food Rockers, a novelty...

Horn completes new Seal album. (news file).
May 3, 2003... Trevor Horn, recently back in the Top 10 thanks to his work with Russian duo tATu, has completed work on a new album by his long-term collaborator Seal. The eponymous album, due for release in July through WEA, will be Seal's first release...

Jamie Cullum strikes deal. (news file).
May 3, 2003... The 23-year-old jazz artist Jamie Cullum, one of the leading acts on the London scene over the past year, last week signed a long-term artist deal with Universal Jazz. Cullum will this month begin work on his debut album, which is likely to...

This weeks BPI awards. (news file).
May 3, 2003... BPI ALBUMS: Fleetwood Mac Say You Will (silver) Various Hope (silver) Scooter The Stadium Techno Experience (silver) Various Capital Gold British Legends (silver) Meat Loaf Couldn't Have Said It Better (silver) David Sneddon Seven...

Genre wars: rock overtakes pop for albums dominance. (Talent).
May 3, 2003... Rock has hijacked pop's status as the album market's biggest-selling genre for the first time, despite a year dominated by reality pop. Newly-unveiled BPI figures show that rock acts claimed an unrivalled 31.0% of over-the-counter album...

Word-of-mouth buzz is fuelling interest singer/songwriter Tom Baxter, whose residency at London's Bush Hall is proving to be one of the most talked about gigs of the year for a new artist. (Talent).
May 3, 2003... Word-of-mouth buzz is fuelling interest singer/songwriter Tom Baxter (pictured), whose residency at London's Bush Hall is proving to be one of the most talked about gigs of the year for a new artist. Baxter, who sold out the venue for the third...

EMI Music Publishing signs deal for rights to 8 Mile OST. (Talent).
May 3, 2003... EMI Music Publishing has signed a sub-publishing deal with Eminem's 8 Mile Music for the rights to the soundtrack of the rapper's smash hit movie 8 Mile. The deal is for the world excluding the US. "Eminem is one of the world's greatest...

Mass exposure beckons for Mobo talent search winner. (Talent).
May 3, 2003... Shalit Global Management and sister company Riot Recordings have teamed up with the Mobo Organisation to further develop the annual search for new UK urban talent which features as one element of the awards. The winner of this year's Mobo...

Pop idol enters at number one. (US chartfile).
May 3, 2003... American Idol provided the best-selling single and album in the States last week, with first series winner Kelly Clarkson's (pictured) debut album Thankful entering the Top 200 at number one after selling 297,000 copies and the 10 finalists...

EMI rallies around Robbie's US quest despite chart dive. (International).
May 3, 2003... EMI and IE Music remain determined to revive the fortunes of Robbie Williams' Virgin US-released Escapology album Stateside, despite its dramatic fall of more than 100 places to 157 a fortnight after its release. A raft of TV appearances...

Warner boosts Mis-Teeq push. (International).
May 3, 2003... Telstar's Mis-Teeq are the subject of a concerted drive across Europe in the run-up to the staggered release of second album Eye Candy in international markets from May 12. While the group made in-roads into the Australian charts and had...

The man who helped to launch the careers of Vanessa-Mae and Bond is bidding for similar worldwide crossover success with Croatian-born classical pianist Maksim, whose debut album The Piano Player is released through EMI Classics on June 2. (International).
May 3, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The man who helped to launch the careers of Vanessa-Mae and Bond is bidding for similar worldwide crossover success with Croatian-born classical pianist Maksim (pictured), whose debut album The Piano Player...

Blur in second trip to US this year as Think Tank campaign rolls out. (International).
May 3, 2003... Blur are in the midst of their second promotional trip of the year to the States, as part of a hectic global push for their forthcoming new studio album Think Tank. The band played a free concert for 20,000 people in Mexico City last...

Restructuring costs result in Sony loss. (International).
May 3, 2003... Sony Corp is pointing to restructuring charges at its US subsidiary after its music division reported an operating loss of [yen] 8.7bn ($72m) in the year ending March 31, 2003, compared with operating income of [yen] 20.2bn ($167m) the year...

Girls Aloud: No Good Advice (Polydor 9800051).
May 3, 2003... The real star of this record is writer and producer Brian Higgins (who also serviced the fivesome with their last hit Sound Of The Underground), whose retro-tinged pop is among the freshest of the year--so much so that he is now working with...

Various: Positiva--a Decade of Dance (Positiva TIVTENCD1).
May 3, 2003... Taglined "10 years, still playing", this collection represents an impressive traul through the Positiva vaults. With classics such as The Bomb by Bucketheads alongside more recent hits such as Make Luv by Room 5 featuring Oliver Cheatham...

Deftones: Minerva (Maverick W605CD).
May 3, 2003... [RECOMMENDED] Having always plied their trade just outside the mainstream, Deftones have never been painted with the same numetal brush as hard bands such as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park. Add the fact that the market has finally come around...

Lisa Scott-Lee: Lately (Mercury CD9800295).
May 3, 2003... The comparisons are already (inevitably) rife but Lisa Scott-Lee's first solo outing since the break-up of Steps sees her venturing well and truly into Kylie territory circa Light Years. It is a bit of a pastiche, but this summery disco-pop...

Amon Tobin: Verbal (Ninja Tune ZEN12138).
May 3, 2003... Lifted from Tobin's fourth album Out From Out Where, this remix package contains something for all lovers of leftfield dance. The doom-hop of Verbal is reinterpreted by sonic explorers Prefuse 73, Kid 606 and Topo Gigio all to wildly different...

The Zutons: Creepin' An' a Crawlin' (Deltasonic DLYCD011).
May 3, 2003... The second single from The Zutons is a gorgeously stylised pop nugget not a million miles away from Beta Band or labelmates The Coral's material. This fully-formed gem would benefit from the kind of exposure dished out to certain other "The"...

Sam Obernik: Mr Butterfly (East West EW262CD).
May 3, 2003... The vocalist from Tim Deluxe's It just Won't Do bursts onto the scene with this confident, sassy slice of folky soul. Produced by Drizabone's Vince Garcia, it should firmly establish her as a singer-songwriter ahead of the release of her debut...

Clipse: Ma, I Don't Love Her (Arista/BMG 82876526482).
May 3, 2003... This Neptunes-produced hip-hop track combines Clipse's smooth lyrical flow with sultry female vocals from Faith Evans. While not being the most immediate cut from their Lord Willin album, it should gather ample radio support.

Senor Coconut: Smoke on Water (New State NSERCD 004).
May 3, 2003... This is a kitschy cover of the Deep Purple classic in a latin style by Germany's Atom Heart, who has gathered a cult following following his album of Kraftwerk covers. While his tongue may be firmly in his cheek, the track is lovingly arranged...

Shed Seven: Why Can't I Be You? (Taste TMCDS5004).
May 3, 2003... After years in the wilderness, the post-Baggy, pre-Britpop band who refused to give up find a label residency with Taste (also home to Muse). This single typifies the Sheds' dependable ability to create an arresting tune without radical changes...

British Sea Power: Carrion/Apologies to Insect Life (Rough Trade RTRADESCD92X).
May 3, 2003... Art rockers BSP show here that their brand of guitar trickery is a deft and clever one, with the strong tracks on this double A-side creating an inspiring double whammy. The band are currently supporting Interpol and release their debut album...

The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster: Chicken (Death/Universal Island MCSTD40317).
May 3, 2003... This increasingly important UK group are hard to define: elements of psychobilly, nu-metal, rock and goth combine to uncompromising but good effect, making the band sound unlike no other and even propelling them into the charts (their previous...

Less Than Jake: She's Gonna Break Soon (Warner W606CD).
May 3, 2003... This angsty skate punk track heralds a new album from Less Than Jake, who do not deviate from their tried and tested formula of fast guitars, drums and vocals. The band are set to raise their profile with a performance at the Download Day at...

Jet: Dirty Sweet EP (East West/Elektra 7559-62886-1).
May 3, 2003... Rolling Stones and AC/DC influences abound on this technically good, but rather derivative, four-track EP. Saying that, these Australian rockers appeared on many tipsters' lists at the beginning of the year, and their brand of retro rock is...

Mr Reds vs DJ Skribble: Everybody Come on (Can You Feel It) (London FCD410/2564603752).
May 3, 2003... [RECOMMENDED] First available on the Stanton Warriors' first mix album, this neat blend of Flipmode Squad rappers Busta Rhymes and Rampage over Mr Reds has been building strong specialist radio and DJ support for weeks. Crossing over the...

Sean Paul: Get Busy (East West AT0155CD).
May 3, 2003... Get Busy is the second single from Duty Rock, the breakthrough album that has gone platinum in the US and heralded a new era of Stateside reggae crossover. Almost as catchy as his UK breakthrough Gimme The Light, it will find immediate favour...

Fallacy Feat. Tubby T: Big 'N Bashy (Virgin VSCDT1847).
May 3, 2003... [RECOMMENDED] Lyricist Fallacy represents the diversity and vitality of the UK urban scene, as comfortable flowing over ragga, garage or drum & bass as he is over hip-hop beats. Produced by Fusion, who was also responsible for his strong...

Killer Mike: Monster (Columbia 5113412).
May 3, 2003... Currently riding high on Radio One's B-list with his single A.D.I.D.AS., the Southern rapper underlines his ability with this tough, inventive debut set. Production from the Dungeon Family ensures the beats hit hard, while tight, crazy and...

It's Jo & Danny: But We Have the Music (Double Snazzy SNAZZ3CD).
May 3, 2003... The Welsh pop duo display a more experimental edge on this third album, while keeping their ear for a melodic tune. Subtle electronic touches and heavy guitar join acoustic guitar and Jo's folky vocals to create a satisfying album free of the...

The Bluetones: Luxembourg (Superior Quality BLUE019CD).
May 3, 2003... After a three-year break, The Bluetones return with a 10-track charmer, which clocks in at less than 35 minutes and cheerfully continues where their previous album left off. This post-Britpop act have topped the albums chart before and, even...

Lou Reed: NYC Man (BMG 828265013123).
May 3, 2003... This is a rambling overview of Reed's back catalogue, chosen and remastered by the man himself. As one would expect, the choices are far from obvious, taking in odd live recordings and tracks from his recent album The Raven. However, it is...

The Pretenders: Loose Screw (Eagle EAGCD256).
May 3, 2003... Chrissie Hynde and her gang stride back into town with their ninth studio album. Loose Screw is a commendable effort for a band well into their third decade; Hynde's distinctive voice and attitude is unbowed after 24 years recording, and a...

Fog: Ether Teeth (Ninja Tune ZENCD77).
May 3, 2003... Minnesotan Andrew Broder's second album is a continuation of the ramshackle decks/guitars/piano combination his self-titled debut heralded. A dense, sad, yet engaging collection of songs, Ether Teeth's scratchy, lo-fi appeal is complemented by...

Manecas Costa: Paraiso Di Gumbe (Late Junction BBCLJ3007-2).
May 3, 2003... Originally from Guinea Bissau, in West Africa, and now based in Portugal, Costa's international debut is released on the BBC's Late Junction label. Musically, and geographically, somewhere between Orchestra Baobab and the sublime Cesaria Evora,...

The Black Keys: Thickfreakneas (Fat Possum 0371-2).
May 3, 2003... The Keys are yet another band in the burgeoning blues revisited two-piece pack that was kicked off by The White Stripes. Although the nature of the music demands a rough production style, the majority of the album sounds very much like a...

Yat-Kha: Tuva Rock (Yat-Kha YAT003).
May 3, 2003... Hailing from one of the most abused regions of Russia, these Tuvans have created a monster. Imagine huge riffing rock colliding with the other wordly sound that is Tuvan throat singing and you have Yat-Kha. The voice creates its own internal...

Various: Late Night Tales--Nightmares on Wax (Azuli ALNCD08).
May 3, 2003... Offering a sequel to the innovative Another Late Night series, this 15-track set from NOW's George Evelyn joins the dots between an impressively eclectic selection of tracks. Quincy Jones and Dusty Springfield rub shoulders with the likes of...

Inspiral Carpets: Cool As (Mute DUNG30CD).
May 3, 2003... [RECOMMENDED] Ironically, the Inspiral Carpets were the least cool of the Madchester rabble, having neither the poise of the Stone Roses nor the swagger of the Happy Mondays. What they did have, however, was a clutch of classic singles...

Diary ... (Jazz).
May 3, 2003... The Bath Jazz Festival could be subtitled "the Un-Blair Witch Project" such is its pro-Europe stance. This year the event runs from May 23-26 and features the cream of French, Norwegian, Italian and German improvisers. Highlights include Bojan...

Cheltenham event offers cream of new jazz talent. (Jazz).
May 3, 2003... When one thinks of major UK jazz festivals, London, Brecon and Bath are probably the first events that spring to mind. But Cheltenham, now in its eighth year, is carving out a rightful place as a serious contender. The festival has reached a...

Niki King: Azure (Caber VOCL002).
May 3, 2003... Vocalist King makes an impressive debut here on the Scottish label that exercises quality control of the highest order over an enviably wide range of releases. This is essentially a duet album, with King finding a very effective foil in the...

Reissues. (Jazz).
May 3, 2003... EMI is going full steam ahead at the moment. Following last month's excellent batch of mostly funky Seventies Blue Note titles, it taps into its Capitol subsidiary to dust off the master tapes of Stan Kenton's Contemporary Concepts, Peggy Lee &...

Roy Hargrove's RH Factor: Hard Groove (Universal 0651922).
May 3, 2003... A prime mover of the neoclassical movement of the early Nineties, Texan trumpeter Hargrove celebrates his R&B roots with an album whose guest list is a kind of roll call of many of today's leaders from jazz, soul and hip hop. Steve Coleman,...

John Surman & Jack Dejonette: Free and Equal (ECM 0170652).
May 3, 2003... Saxophone virtuoso Surman and drum champion Dejohnette have enjoyed a long and eventful association, working together on many previous ECM releases. Their chemistry hit a high last year with Invisible Nature, an excellent duo album that was...

Bill Frisell: The Intercontinentals (Elektra Nonesuch 7559796612).
May 3, 2003... As the title suggests, this is a global set from the US guitarist who seems to be the archetypal wayfaring stranger, the man linking the hard-bodied electric fusion of Marc Johnson's Bass Desires to the haunting chamber-like strains of his own...

Playlist. (Jazz).
May 3, 2003... SOWETO KINCH--Snakehips (Dune). Impressive homage to the legendary black British bandleader Ken "Snakehips" Johnson in an epochal tango style from the alto saxophonist. RAVI COLTRANE--Round Midnight (Sony) Lovely uptempo rendition of the...

All the charts: exposure.
May 3, 2003... CD:UK Performances: Lately Lisa Scott-Lee; Love Doesn't Have To Hurt Atomic Kitten; Say Goodbye S Club 7; When I See You Macy Gray; Free Me Emma Bunton; Stand Up As People Lee Ryan; Do It Like Madonna The Androids; You Said No Busted. Videos:...

The official UK airplay charts top 50.
May 3, 2003... AIRPLAY COMMENTARY Finally surrendering its sales crown this week, Room 5's Make Luv continues to rule the airplay roost, enjoying its fourth week at number one with a bigger lead than at any previous stage of its reign. Although it seems...

The official UK singles charts top 75.
May 3, 2003... SINGLES COMMENTARY Last week, overseas acts filled the top three places on the chart but this week homegrown heroes take over, with debuts at one, two and three from developing UK acts Busted, Lisa Maffia and David Sneddon. Sneddon...

The official UK albums chart top 75.
May 3, 2003... ALBUMS COMMENTARY New albums by two venerated American veterans help to keep the post-Easter slump in artist album sales--usually well into double figures--down to a comparatively modest 6%. Madonna's American Life takes pole position with...

The official UK charts: specialist.
May 3, 2003... MIDPRICE Label This Last Title Artist (Distributor) 1 1 SONGS IN A MINOR Alicia Keys J 74321928892 ...

Sho' Nuff. (Store Of The Week).
May 3, 2003... "Business was quiet at the start of the year but I had a really good run into St Patrick's Day and then Mother's Day and April's not been too bad either. Our business is mainly regular customers and, with the schools being off, that has been...

In-store next week: from 5/5/03. (Frontline).
May 3, 2003... Andys RECORDS Press ads--Robbie Willaims, Kid Creme, Bach, Atomic Kitten; In-store--Kid Creme, V Birds, Robbie Williams, Now! 54, Joel Harrison, Athlete, Pink Floyd, Atomic Kitten, The Burn, Richard X Vs Liberty X, NERD, David Bowie,...

Sales watch: Daniel Bedingfield. (Frontline).
May 3, 2003... DANIEL BEDINGFIELD: GOTTA GET THRU THIS (POLYDOR) LW Chart position: 9. Pie charts show sales by retailer type and geographical region respectively, for sales week to the end of April 19, 2003. RETAILER General 21.4%...

New release countdown. (Frontline).
May 3, 2003... ALBUMS This week Fleetwood Mac Say You Will (Reprise); Goldfrapp Black Cherry (Mute); Macy Gray The Trouble With Being Myself (Epic); David Sneddon Seven Years--Ten Weeks (Mercury); Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever To Tell (B-Unique) May 5...

5.1 surround sound puts studios in driving seat: consumer demand for 5.1 surround-sound means a steady stream of work for the UK's recording studios, and the sector is welcoming the boost after years of watching home studios steal their thunder. Music Week highlights five forthcoming projects. (Pro Audio).
May 3, 2003... 13 years on, Abbey Read revisits Waters' masterpiece let liVID version Roger Waters: The Wall--Live In Berlin (Universal) Paul Hicks, engineer, Abbey Road "Because of the nature of The Wall and the Roger Waters and Pink Floyd...