Mariah
Carey forms new label with Def Jam
Literally
hundreds of online radio stations closed shop last Wednesday (May 1st) in
protest of a recently proposed royalty rate. In the "Day of
Silence." some stations stopped their broadcasts all day, while
others stayed silent for half a day. Many of those that did not shut down
aired a 12-hour talk show informing listeners about the new rate plan,
which would require webcasters to pay a fee to record labels and artists
in addition to the one they (the station), as well as conventional
stations, already pay out to songwriters and publishers through
organizations like ASCAP and BMI.
The rate, proposed by the Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel in February,
would require stations that broadcast exclusively over the Web to pay 0.14
cents per listener per song, while conventional stations that stream their
broadcast online would pay a rate of 0.07 cents. If enacted into law, the
additional fees would be retroactive to October 1998 and could force many
online stations to shut down. Webcasters contend that the rate should be
set as a percentage of their revenue, not based on the size of their
audience. If you would like to participate in this protest please visit
www.saveinternetradio.org.
Source:
soulnotes.com
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Will
Smith's new album due June 25th
Big
Willie is back. Will Smith returns with another one of those head nodding
tracks in 'Black Suits Comin' (nod your heads)' taken from his forthcoming
disc 'Born to Reign' due June 25th. The single is also the feature single
from Smith's latest flick Men in Black 2 where he reprises his role as the
slick dressed alien fighting goverment agent. .
Lopes' mother, Wanda Lopes, and her family released a statement
through the group's manager Bill Diggins expressing heartfelt
thanks to the thousands of fans that have sent messages of condolences to
them at this tragic time.
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Jazz
funksters Down to the Done drops 'Crazy Vibes and Things'
Jazz
Funksters Down to the Bone
returns with their latest effort 'Crazy
Vibes and Things' their debut release for
GRP
records. The gang that
hails from my native UK took everyone by surprise with their debut release
From Manhattan to Staten
back in 97 and garnered a steady and loyal following ever since The bands
founder Stuart Wade
and Down To The Bone
gave the worldwide jazz/groove scene a firm, swift kick with tracks like
"Staten Island Groove,"
"Brooklyn Heights,"
and "Carlito's Way,"
the album blew up in clubs across Europe, while dominating the NAC charts
in the States. Their blend of jazz, soul, and dance really stood out in
the contemporary jazz genre.
On 'Crazy
Vibes and Things' as always
ever present are deep grooves, funky beats, and plenty of soul. Down
To The Bone’s trademark
sound is in high gear with tracks like 'Electra
Glide', 'On
a roll' and 'Music
is my drug' all potential
radio friendly hits on any jazz format station or adult comtempary for
that matter. Produced by Stuart
Wade, the album features
the same musicians that has performed on their past sets Spread
The Word and From
Manhattan to Staten.
The album is due May 21st at a record store near you so do pick it up if
you get a chance to.
