UK labels target US breakthrough.

A string of UK acts is being primed for launch into the US market, as the music industry looks to turn around the fortunes of British talent Stateside.

With EMI Recorded Music chief executive Alain Levy indicating last week that he is counting on UK-signed acts Coldplay and Dirty Vegas to spearhead a turnaround in the company's US fortunes, signs are growing of a sterling line-up in the second half of this year.

Universal is preparing for the launch of half a dozen brand new acts in the US, after finalising release deals for both Daniel Bedingfield and Sophie Ellis Bextor in the past 10 days. These accompany album commitments for debut acts including Ms Dynamite, Sugababes, Frou Frou and Amy Studt.

Universal chairman Lucian Grainge says he is optimistic about the company's prospects in the US over the next six months, with debut albums by six UK-signed acts due for release in the market this year. "There are real reasons for being optimistic," Grainge says. "Nothing has started yet, but it feels good, which says a lot about the way we have tried to develop the artists and the labels in the UK."

Island Def Jam committed to Daniel Bedingfield a week ago last Friday, with his album due to follow in the US soon after the international release in July. And Universal confirmed last Thursday that Sophie Ellis Bextor will be the subject of a launch in late summer or autumn.

The positive plans for Universal come as Alain Levy highlighted two UK acts as its brightest hopes in the States, following its Kylie Minogue success in the first quarter. "There are releases which are happening right now in the US and releases like Coldplay going forward, for example, while Dirty Vegas are probably going to have a Top 10 single in America," he said.

EMI Recorded Music chairman Tony Wadsworth says his company's success in ...