30/01/2008 UMG Bestselling Albums Of 2007 Amy Winehouse's Back to Black was the biggest selling UMG album worldwide in 2007. Amy Winehouse ended the year as the biggest selling UMG artist in the world. Her album Back to Black sold over 5.6 million copies to December 2007. The High School Musical 2 soundtrack to the successful teen movie was the second bestseller worldwide. Distributed by UMG, the soundtrack sold over 4 million copies. Mika's debut Life In Cartoon Motion sold over 3.8million in 2007. Fergie and Nelly Furtado appear in the top 10 with albums which were released in 2006. Their sales were boosted by consistantly great singles last year, namely "Maneater" and "Do It" from Nelly Furtado's Loose and "Big Girls Don't Cry" from The Dutchess. Loose has spent over 60 weeks on Billboard's European Hot 100 charts since its release.
30/01/2008 Brits 2008: Take That & Mika Get Four Nominations Each Take That Kate Nash, Kaiser Chiefs, Klaxons among Universal Music nominees Reformed band Take That could bag a gong each at the 2008 Brit Awards. The nominations were unveiled at the Camden Roundhouse, London. The pop four piece led the field for Universal Music alongside singer Mika who also scooped four nominations. Kate Nash and Kaiser Chiefs also did well with three nods each. This year's ceremony will be held at Earls Court in London on 20th February and will be hosted by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne. Take That go head to head with Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and pop group Girls Aloud in the best British Group category, while they also aim to land the best British Live Act award, best British Album for Beautiful World and best British Single for "Shine". Mika The latter award is a fight between many Universal Music artists including: Kaiser Chiefs "Ruby", Sugababes "'About You Now", Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse "Valerie", Kate Nash "Foundations" and Mutya Buena "Real Girl". Mika, who shot to stardom in 2007, is in the running for best British Male Artist, best British Single for "Grace Kelly", Breakthrough Act and best British Album for Life In Cartoon Motion. Sir Paul McCartney, who released his solo album Dance Tonight (Hear Music) last year, will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. Rapper Kanye West is favourite to pick up International Male Solo Artist, while his Def Jam label mate Rihanna is a serious contenders for the Best International Female award. The Eagles successful comeback continues, they have been nominated for best International Group and best International Album for Long Road Out of Eden and are joined by Arcade Fire in both categories. Klaxons debut year sees them bag two nominations, best British Breakthrough and best Live Act. Sir Paul McCartney, Kaiser Chiefs, Mika and Rihanna have all been confirmed to perform at the event. Universal Music will release Brits Hits 08 on 11 February 2008, containing the best tracks from the UK and the US. Kate Nash Full list of nominations for this year's Brit Awards: BEST BRITISH MALE Jamie T Mark Ronson Mika Newton Faulkner Richard Hawley BEST BRITISH FEMALE Bat For Lashes Kate Nash KT Tunstall Leona Lewis PJ Harvey Kaiser Chiefs BEST BRITISH GROUP Arctic Monkeys Editors Girls Aloud Kaiser Chiefs Take That BEST BRITISH ALBUM Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare Leona Lewis - Spirit Mark Ronson - Version Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion Take That - Beautiful World BEST BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH Bat For Lashes Kate Nash Klaxons Leona Lewis Mika BEST LIVE ACT Arctic Monkeys Kaiser Chiefs Klaxons Muse Take That BEST BRITISH SINGLE Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love Mika - "Grace Kelly" Take That - "Shine" Kaiser Chiefs - "Ruby! Sugababes - "About You Now" Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse - "Valerie" Kate Nash - "Foundations" The Hoosiers - Worried About Ray James Blunt - 1973 Mutya Buena - "Real Girl" BEST INTERNATIONAL MALE Bruce Springsteen Kanye West Michael Buble Rufus Wainwright Timbaland BEST INTERNATIONAL FEMALE Alicia Keys Bjork Feist Kylie Minogue Rihanna BEST INTERNATIONAL GROUP Arcade Fire Eagles Foo Fighters Kings of Leon White Stripes BEST INTERNATIONAL ALBUM Arcade Fire - Neon Bible Eagles - Long Road Out Of Eden Foo Fighters - Echoes Silence Patience & Grace Kings of Leon - Because Of The Times Kylie Minogue - X CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD Adele OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC Sir Paul McCartney
30/01/2008 The Rolling Stones & Universal Music Link For Shine A Light Soundtrack The Rolling Stones and Universal Music Group are delighted to announce they have signed an exclusive worldwide recording agreement for the group’s next album due for release in March 2008. The one album deal is for the soundtrack CD from director Martin Scorsese’s film Shine A Light. The movie, set for cinema release in April 2008, was shot at The Rolling Stones’ acclaimed performance at New York’s Beacon Theatre in the autumn of 2006. With special guests Buddy Guy, White Stripes’ Jack White and Christine Aguilera joining the Stones onstage, the Oscar-winning director captures an extraordinary performance from the band. The film also integrates rarely seen archival footage of the Stones in a unique cinema experience. A spokesman for The Rolling Stones said, “The band are looking forward to working with Universal Music and are excited about this new venture.” This new deal for the Rolling Stones comes on the back of their record breaking A Bigger Bang World Tour which ended in triumph at London’s O2 Arena in August 2007. The Shine A Light soundtrack will receive a physical and digital release across Universal Music’s labels around the world. It will be released in the UK by Polydor Records. Lucian Grainge, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group International, says: “We are really proud to be working with The Rolling Stones and so is everybody in Universal Music globally.” Universal Music Operations president David Joseph adds: “The Rolling Stones define rock and roll, they are true music legends.”
30/01/2008 History is Made as Soulja Boy's Crank That Passes the 3,000,000 Mark in Downloads in the US. Video for New Single 'Yahhh!' Premieres This Week The first artist to rack up 3,000,000 downloads of a digital track/song is a teenager! "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" from 17-year-old rap phenom Soulja Boy Tell'em officially surpassed the landmark number this week. Grammy nominated for Best Rap Song and the #1 song on the Hot 100 chart for seven weeks, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" has also sold more than 3,000,000 ringtones and its music video has been viewed an incredible 28,000,000 times on YouTube. In addition, the instructional dance video has been viewed 22,000,000 times and the video for the single "Soulja Girl" (featuring I-15) 11,000,000 times. Not surprisingly then, his website is also the #1 most viewed artist site on the Web, with more than 1,000,000 unique hits per month. His MySpace page has recorded 27,000,000 profile views and 31,000,000 audio streams. The charismatic Souljaboy is also being seen on cellphones worldwide via Soulja Boy TV (SBTV), a free mobile television WAP site. "Soulja Boy has set the bar for what's possible in terms of breaking an artist online," commented Steve Berman, President of Sales and Marketing for Interscope Geffen A&M Records. "He's been doing it since day one, before he was signed here, so I'm not surprised he's setting a record today. Soulja Boy is out there on the frontier, showing everyone else what's possible." "I can't thank my fans enough, without them all of this wouldn't have been possible. The support they give me is beyond incredible. I have so many Soulja Boy Tell'em projects ready and I will continue to give them what they need in 2008. Yuuuuaaaa!!" exclaims Soulja Boy Tell'em. With his debut album, Souljaboytellem.com (ColliPark Music/Interscope Records), rocketing past its gold certification -- having sold more than 658,000 copies to date -- Soulja Boy is the biggest selling new Hip-Hop or R&B artist of 2007. But he's not stopping there. Kicking off 2008, his video for the album's third single, "Yahhh!" (featuring Arab), premiered this week on BET's "Access Granted" and on Yahoo! Music. The behind-the-scenes feature on "Yahhh!" has already been viewed 1,200,000 times on YouTube. The story of Soulja Boy Tell'em has just begun.
30/01/2008 Border Breakers Awards — European Artists Tune in to the Future The Fratellis The coastal resort of Cannes, France, hosts the fifth annual European Border Breakers Awards ceremony (EBBA) again this year. The EBBA Awards honour those artists, groups, companies, composers and text writers that succeed in reaching audiences outside their own country. Commissioner Jلn Figel' will present awards to 10 musical groups and individual artists in recognition of their success in selling albums and touring outside the country they are based in. The ceremony will take place during a show in Cannes on 27 January 2008 on the opening day of the MIDEM international music fair. This year's Universal Music EBBA winners are: The Fratellis - Costello Music (Fallout/Island) UK Ayo - Joyful (Polydor/Universal), FRA Dolores O’Riordan - Are you Listening? (Sanctuary), IRL Reborn - Fools Rush In (ARS Entertainment/Universal Music Belgium), BEL The EBBA Awards are based on statistics provided by the Billboard Information Group, according to the following criteria: -Original debut album of artists or groups from an EU Member State -Sales in EU Member states outside the country of production -Sales during the last year (between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007) -Experience in touring outside the country of origin Ayo The Awards are an initiative of the European Commission, in close partnership with the music industry, and are a celebration of the creative richness and diversity of European contemporary music. The European music industry is represented by EMO, GESAC, ICMP/CIEM, IFPI, IMPALA, SACEM, as well as Billboard Information Group. The European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Mr Jلn Figel' said: "The EBBA Awards underline the importance of creativity and an open attitude towards cultural diversity in a globalizing world. By honouring the award-winning groups and artists alongside their record companies and publishers, the EBBA Awards also clearly show the inter-linked nature of the process of musical creation and how this is a necessary element for cross border success." Surveys show that music plays a fundamental role in Europeans' life: over 60% of European citizens listen to music every day. Research also shows the challenges artists and groups face when trying to break through outside the country they are based in. The EBBA events in Cannes will include an informal meeting between the EU's Ministers of Culture and representatives of the European music industry in the margins of the awards ceremony, to discuss the challenges facing the European music industry. This meeting is part of the European policy debate on culture that was boosted by the first-ever EU strategy for culture, adopted in May 2007 (A European agenda for culture in a globalizing world. The aim is to involve the cultural sector (ranging from individual artists and performers to the creative and cultural industries) more closely in European affairs. The European Commission will have a stand at MIDEM to promote European music and its diversity. This year, 10 independent national organisations and companies from the EU Member States, which do not have a national stand at MIDEM and have not participated at MIDEM before, will be offered a free registration at the MIDEM trade fair and a place at the Commission’s stand. The European Commission also supports the mobility of artists and their work, for example through the Culture Programme 2007-2013.
30/01/2008 Legendary Nirvana Performance Out on DVD [Barcode:602517506305] Never before released on video, Nirvana’s Legendary Unplugged In New York will be available on DVD on the 26th November. Outside of limited television airings, Nirvana’s landmark November 18, 1993 performance on MTV Unplugged has never before been released on video….until now. The DVD Unplugged In New York (Geffen/MTV Networks/UMe) features the complete, unedited 66-minute concert (including stage patter and two songs not aired on the original 44-minute broadcast) in both Dolby Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound. Also included is previously unreleased rehearsal and documentary footage. Additional information on Unplugged In New York, including a detailed tracklisting, will be available soon.
30/01/2008 Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds Sets Tour Dates in Manila, Japan, and the US West Coast - As New Album Playlist Arrives in Stores on Mercury Records in the US. First Single, "Fire and Rain" Hits Smooth Jazz Radio Top 10 and Top 20 AC - Second Single, "Not Going Nowhere" Debuts at Urban AC. In support of the release of Playlist by Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, first album on the newly re-launched Mercury Records label, featuring the Top 10 new version of James Taylor’s “Fire & Rain,” Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds climaxed a whirlwind week of television appearances on NBC’s The Today Show (live outside performance on the Plaza) and ABC’s Live with Regis & Kelly – with the announcement of a select group of tour dates starting next month in southeast Asia, and on the US west coast. Shows begin in Manila on October 13th, before moving to Japan for multiple dates at the Billboard Live venues in Tokyo and Osaka. The Japanese leg wraps up in Fukuoka on October 29th. Subsequent dates are scheduled for The Paramount Theater in Oakland on November 23rd, and the next night at the Nugget in Sparks, Nevada (in the US). (Please see tour dates below.) With over 8 million audience at Hot 100 radio airplay this week, “Fire & Rain” moves up to #7-bullet on the BDS Smooth Jazz chart, up to #21-bullet at AC, and up to #19-bullet at Mediabase AC. At the same time, the album’s second single pick, Kenny’s original “Not Going Nowhere” debuts at #43-bullet on the Mediabase Urban AC/New & Active list, and moves up to #39-bullet at Urban AC. Two singles deep – and building! – Playlist is the first Kenny “Babyface” Edmond’s album devoted (mostly) to cover versions of some of his favorite songs. The album also includes Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” Dan Fogelberg’s “Longer,” and others from James Taylor (“Shower The People”), Eric Clapton (“Wonderful Tonight”), Bread (“Diary”), Jim Croce (“Time In A Bottle”), and Dave Loggins (“Please Come To Boston”), plus two new compositions by Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, “Not Going Nowhere” and “The Soldier Song”. In addition to his appearances on The Today Show and Live with Regis & Kelly, both of which were timed for the morning after the album release day, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds also spent Friday morning on the syndicated “Wake Up with Whoopi” [Goldberg] radio show. That same night, Kenny shared the stage with Country music star Trisha Yearwood, as they perform together on CMT Crossroads Concert Special in Nashville. Upcoming for Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds over the next week are appearances on the The Tyra Banks Show (October 2nd), and on Thursday, October 11th, Kenny will be Oprah Winfrey’s special guest for an interview and live performance of “Not Going Nowhere.” Playlist is the third album in the new millennium by 10-time Grammy-winning megastar Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, the follow-up to Grown & Sexy (July 2005) and Face2Face (released on the fateful Tuesday of September 11, 2001). Over the past two decades, his albums and singles have amassed millions in US sales: Lovers By Babyface (1987); Tender Lover (1989, double-platinum), a #1 R&B album in Billboard for 11 weeks, including the #1 R&B singles “It’s No Crime” and “Tender Love,” “Whip Appeal” (#2), and “My Kinda Girl” (#3); For the Cool In You (1993, triple-platinum), on the R&B album chart for 87 weeks, with the top 10 R&B singles “For the Cool In You,” “Never Keeping Secrets,” “And Our Feelings,” and “When Can I See You”; The Day (1996, double-platinum), with the top 5 R&B/pop crossover hits “This Is For the Lover In You” (platinum) and “Every Time I Close My Eyes” (gold); MTV Unplugged NYC 1997 (gold); and Christmas With Babyface (1998).
30/01/2008 Melody Gardot Here's to introduce you to one of Universal’s newest signings, the enigmatic jazz/folk singer-songwriter Melody Gardot. Her debut album, 'Worrisome Heart' will be available for international release from March 10, 2008. At twenty-two years old, and from Philadelphia in the US, Melody’s exquisite voice conveys a range of emotions unusual in someone of her age, and she is here backed by some of the finest musicians on the American jazz scene. There is a long-term plan in place for Melody. UPC#: 6025 174 964-0 8 [Mid Price] Worrisome Heart should act as a crucial word-of-mouth introduction to this artist, using key tastemakers to spread the word! And by the time this record is released, Melody will already be in the studio in L.A. with producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Madeleine Peyroux), recording her second album for UCJ [Universal Classics & Jazz Division]. I am attaching a biography here – as you will see, she has an amazing story to tell. (Please also find attached some press coverage from Music Week UK).
12/2/2008 AMY WINEHOUSE MAKES HISTORY WITH 5 GRAMMYS! Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best New Artist, Song of the Year and Record of the Year Amy Winehouse was honoured with 5 of the Recording Academy’s most prestigious awards, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best New Artist, Song of the Year (Rehab) and Record of the Year (Rehab) at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Sunday night. This incredible haul makes Amy the first ever British female artist to win 5 Grammys in one night and sees her join Lauryn Hill (1998), Alicia Keys (2001), Norah Jones (2002) and Beyonce (2003) in the elite band of female artists who have won 5 awards in one evening. Amy, who was unable to attend in person, performed live-via-satellite from Riverside Studios in London. The 24-year old Londoner turned in a show stopping performance of “You Know I’m No Good” and the anthemic “Rehab”. Following her performance, Amy had this to say: “I am so proud of this album. I put my heart and soul into it and it’s wicked to be recognised in this way. I feel truly honoured to be mentioned in the same breath as many of the artists present tonight and to win is even more amazing. Thanks to everyone involved in the record, my manager Raye, Mark and Salaam, everyone at Island Records, Universal/Republic and of course my family and my husband Blake.” She later went on to say “I can’t believe I’ve won 5 awards. It’s a shame I couldn’t be there to accept the awards but I’m so proud and happy that I had the opportunity to perform for the Grammys in my hometown of London with my family and friends around me. Thank you thank you thank you.” After winning the highly prestigious Record of The Year Award, Amy was quickly joined on stage by her Dad and Mum in a group hug with her band. The Grammys cap a remarkable 18 months for this hugely talented and unique artist. During that time “Back To Black”, widely regarded as a modern day masterpiece by critics and fans alike, has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and turned Amy into one of the hottest stars in the world. The critical response to the record has been every bit as impressive with Amy picking up a series of awards including a Brit, South Bank Show Award, Ivor Novello, Mojo, Glamour, Elle Style Award, Mobo, MTV Europe’s Artists’ Choice Award and Q Award for Album of the Year. www.amywinehouse.co.uk
12/2/2008 Sheryl Crow Releases New Album, Detours, Out on Interscope/A&M Sheryl reunites with producer Bill Bottrell for her sixth studio album out now! Bolder and more free-spirited than ever, Sheryl Crow embarks on paths both deeply personal and grandly global on Detours (Interscope/A&M Records). Filled with songs about having and holding, changing and letting go, about beginnings, endings, and the roads between them, Detours was inspired by “how I feel things are going in the world and what’s happened to me the last couple of years,” says the nine-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter. Crow’s lyrical signposts range from the demise of a relationship, the adoption of a child (baby Wyatt, who guests on “Lullaby For Wyatt”), a public bout with breast cancer to the war in Iraq (“Peace Be Upon Us,” featuring Arabic lyrics sung by Ahmed Al Hirmi), environmental disaster (“Gasoline” featuring Ben Harper), and the ravaged New Orleans of Hurricane Katrina (“Love Is Free”). Marking her reunion with Bill Bottrell, who produced her sensational 1993 debut, Tuesday Night Music Club, Detours wends its way across the pop musical landscape from the rockin’ “Shine Over Babylon” and acoustic folk “God Bless This Mess” to the plaintive “Diamond Ring.” An out-of-the-blue telephone call from Crow prompted a reconciliation with Bottrell and brought him to the studio at her farm near Nashville to produce her sixth studio album. Each of her previous studio albums has charted Top 10 and earned at least platinum certification. The seven times platinum Tuesday Night Music Club hit #3 in the US and earned three Grammys--Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the classic “All I Wanna Do.” The album also featured “Strong Enough,” “Can’t Cry Anymore,” and “Leaving Las Vegas.” 1996’s triple platinum Sheryl Crow (US #6) earned the Grammy for Best Rock Album and, for “If It Makes You Happy,” Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. 1998’s platinum The Globe Sessions (US #5) also garnered the Best Rock Album Grammy, as its “Everyday Is A Winding Road” and “My Favorite Mistake” both reached the US Pop Top 20. The new millennium brought 2002’s platinum C’mon C’mon (US #2), whose gold “Soak Up The Sun” peaked in the Top 20 and “Steve McQueen” again nabbed her a Best Female Rock Vocal Performance Grammy. The 2003 greatest hits compilation, the four times platinum The Very Best Of Sheryl Crow, was also a #2 charter in the US, featuring a new recording, a cover of Cat Stevens’ “The First Cut Is The Deepest.” 2005’s platinum Wildflower (US #2) featured the duet with Sting, “Always On Your Side.” On Detours, the fearlessly outspoken Sheryl Crow continues a journey of self-discovery that has increasingly appealed to both the head and the heart. UPC#: 602517570030 Track list: God Bless This Mess Sheryl Crow Shine Over Babylon Sheryl Crow Love Is Free Sheryl Crow Peace Be Upon Us Sheryl Crow Gasoline Sheryl Crow Out Of Our Heads Sheryl Crow Detours Sheryl Crow Now That You're Gone Sheryl Crow Drunk With The Thought Of You Sheryl Crow
12/2/2008 Gather.com & Decca Label Group Present First Tracks: The Search for America's Best Musical Talent Winner of nationwide online music competition will receive record deal with acclaimed label Gather.com, the unique, social networking website, in conjunction with Universal Music Group's Decca LabelGroup, have joined forces to create a nationwide music contest, First Tracks: The Search for America's Best Musical Talent. The winner of this competition will be awarded a deal for a Decca Label Group-produced record. Musicians of all genres are invited to upload their single on Gather.com, which will automatically enter them into the contest for a chance to win. "With First Tracks, we let music lovers pick America's future music stars. Using Gather's social platform will enable contest participants and the eventual winner to build mass audience and awareness. We're really excited to give the average person an opportunity to fulfill their dream," comments Tom Gerace, Gather's Founder and CEO. "Decca is very excited at the prospect of discovering new and untapped talent through Gather.com," says Decca Label Group general manager, Paul Foley. "First Tracks will be a fantastic outlet for audiences to weigh in on up-and- coming artists, and especially choose one that Decca will have the opportunity to sign to a future record deal." Beginning March 3, fans will get a chance to go online to listen and vote for their 25 favorite contestants. Voting online at http://www.gather.com will be the exclusive format for fans to vote for contestants. After the 25 semifinalists are selected, their singles will be judged by a panel of music celebrities and industry leaders. The finalists will perform a song selected by Decca in front of a live audience with celebrity judges offering professional expertise and personal comments on each. The grand prize winner will be announced on April 30, and will get the opportunity to have their single released on iTunes and the Decca Label Group website immediately. The winner will also have a record produced and distributed by Decca Label Group. The contest officially opened January 23, and will accept entries through February 27, 2008. Additional details about the contest, as well as online submissions, can be found on firsttracks.gather.com.
28/2/08 Take That Take Two at the BRITS Take That Take That, Sir Paul McCartney, Mika and Kate Nash pick up gongs at the BRIT awards show, Earls Court, London. Take That's brilliant comeback continued as they were crowned the big winners at this year's Brit Awards in London, scooping two prizes for Best British Live Act and British Single. Accepting their award for Best Live Act, band member Jason Orange said. "We are so honoured. We've worked so hard over the years." Their second award, which was presented for the single "Shine", was chosen by a live public vote which continued throughout the show. Amy Winehouse made a much anticipated performance with producer Mark Ronson who was the first non-singer to have scooped the solo artist prize. Mika As well as singing with Ronson on their hit "Valerie", Winehouse sang one of her own numbers, "Love Is A Losing Game". Mika, who kicked off the show with his songs "Love Today" and "Grace Kelly", was named best British Breakthrough Act. He also performed with Gossip singer Beth Ditto on her track "Standing In the Way Of Control". Despite being favourite to win all her three nominations, Kate Nash was happy to pick up the Best British Female award in her debut year. US R&B star Rihanna performed a rock-tinged rendition of her number one single "Umbrella", accompanied by Klaxons. Rapper Kanye West, who was unable to attend the ceremony, was named winner of the Best International Male prize. "I'm sure there's someone who deserves this Kate Nash more than me, but I just don't know who they are," he said in his acceptance video. The best act of the night was Sir Paul McCartney who closed the show with a rousing a medley of hits including "Live and Let Die", "Hey Jude" and "Lady Madonna" after he was honoured with an Outstanding Contribution Award dedicated to his first wife Linda, who died from breast cancer ten years ago. Click here for a full List of winners: http://www.brits.co.uk/winners/2007/
28/2/08 Universal Republic Tops US Charts with its Diverse Roster Jack Johnson, Amy Winehouse and Taylor Swift Lead Pack with new albums from 3 Doors Down and 10 Years in-store this spring Universal Republic Records emerges this week with an undisputed lock on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, locking down 3 of the top 10 spots on the coveted Billboard countdown, reflecting the strength and diversity of the label as it kicks off a rip-roaring start to 2008. Jack Johnson leads the Universal Republic charge, holding down the #1 spot for the second week in a row with his new album, Sleep Through The Static (Brushfire/Universal Republic). It’s Johnson’s second straight number #1 album, moving 180,000 copies this week after entering with the best album sales debut of 2008 with an incredible 375,000 albums sold during its first week in stores. British sensation Amy Winehouse makes it a back-to-back lock on the 1-2 spots, coming in right behind Johnson as her multiple Grammy winning album, Back to Black soars to #2 on the wings of her quintuple-Grammy takedown last week. The acclaimed album moved 115,000 copies. Winehouse’s showstopping performance via satellite at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards capped a career-defining evening for the singer/songwriter, with the talented vocalist sweeping nearly every prestigious category. The Big Machine Records/Universal Republic team have successfully solidified singer/songwriter Taylor Swift in the Top Ten for the past 11 weeks. Her dominance on the charts continues this week with her double platinum/self-titled debut album pulling down the #7 spot on the Billboard Top 200. Nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy for 2007, her breakthrough CD was the biggest selling indie record of last year. This year’s Grammy winner for Best Reggae Album, Stephen Marley, returns to #2 on the Reggae Album Chart with his first solo project Mind Control. This year’s win makes Grammy history as Stephen becomes the third member of the Marley family in a row to receive the Best Reggae Album Award. 48th Grammy Award winner was Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley for Welcome To Jamrock (on which Stephen won a Grammy for producing), and the 49th Grammy Award winner was Ziggy Marley for Love Is My Religion. Colbie Calliat, Universal Republic’s own breakthrough signature star of 2007 and a mainstay of the Top 200 for more than 7 months, continues to hold strong at #27 this week with her platinum-plus debut COCO. Colbie’s amazing momentum continues to turn heads with a recent fashion spread in OK! Magazine, and a tour schedule that won’t quit. Other Universal Republic artists set to blaze the spring ’08 trail include multi-platinum southern rock stalwarts, 3 Doors Down. Their self-titled fourth studio album is scheduled to hit stores on May 6. The much anticipated follow-up to their platinum-plus 2005 effort, Seventeen Days, features the powerful single, “It’s Not My Time,” which was the #1 Most Added track at Active and Alternative Rock radio formats this week. With nearly 13 million albums sold worldwide, the soaring Mississippi/Nashville-based band has rewritten the rock script once again by merging universal themes with their proven firebrand passion. Tennessee band 10 Years will becoming with their new album, Division, on April 18. The alternative rockers scored an impressive debut with Universal Republic nearly 3 years ago with their hit single “Wasteland,” spending an incredible 12 months on the charts, and hitting the #1 spot on the Active Rock Chart. Their acclaimed album The Autumn Effect has motored toward 400,000 copies, with their socially conscious video for “Wasteland” garnering two MTV Award nominations. Southern hip hop newcomer 2 Pistols will be stepping up with his debut album, Death Before Dishonor, on May 6. The Florida rhyme-maker got off to a sizzling start with his kickoff single “She’s Got It,” (featuring T-Pain and Tay Dizm) from his upcoming Universal Republic debut. The single was the second most added song at Urban Radio last month. Produced by the Grammy award winning J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, the song has rocketed from Tampa and Miami club and radio cauldrons to become one of the ‘street-tinged’ radio hits to follow in the first quarter of ‘08.
28/2/08 Portishead Return With Their First Album in a Decade Portishead return in style this spring with Third, their first album in over a decade. Island Recocrds UK president Nick Gatfield is overseeing the project and he enthuses about the new album. He says: "They aimed to create a new template for the Portishead sound: it’s not a retread of Dummy. I think they’ve achieved this. While some of the original elements are there, such as Beth’s voice, they have drawn up new parameters. The band have an exhaustive attention to detail – real quality control in the structure of songs, the sounds they use. The sound ranges from the more soulful to quite hard. But it is the Portishead signature sound: it’s what makes them special. This is why they have been cited by artists from rock to hip hop." The album was recorded in the band’s Bristol studio and Gatfield explains: "The band have probably only been working in earnest on this album for the last couple of years, although they’ve done side projects, but they regrouped to tackle the album head on." "The album is not a singles album, it’s not that sort of work, and we will be promoting it in other ways. We’ve had directors coming up to us saying they’d love to film the band so we’re commissioning four or five short films which we’ll release over a six to nine month period and then bundle as a DVD." "We’re creating quite a visual element which, again, will sustain the life of the record for six to nine months. We are filming a special event in Portishead, at an old school hall there. It will be Portishead in Portishead… There will be a pre-launch TV show and we will use elements for the online promotion." "There will be a live global media launch in Berlin around March 16-17. They are very popular internationally: for example Germany, Japan, France and the US are all key markets. We will broadcast the media launch." "They’ve recently done some so-called low key live dates and got mobbed at the Bristol Academy - it was heaving – and they hosted the All Tomorrow’s festival at Butlins in Minehead in December." "Third" will be released by Island Records UK on May 5. Portishead will kick off their UK and European tour in Oporto on March 26, ending at the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona in May. They will also appear at famed US music festival, Coachella, on April 26. http://www.portishead.co.uk/
1/4/2008 Dear all, Italian tenor 'Alessandro Safina' will be visiting Dubai on April 6, 7 & 8th. He will be performing at a private corporate event. Recently, Alessandro Safina has recorded 2 new songs with lebanese famous music composer 'Elias Rahbani' during his stay in Beirut for the Star Academy show. Click on the below 2 links to download the 2 new tracks: Comme La Rose Link: http://download.yousendit.com/FC6099BE565B6A6B Paris Paris Link: http://download.yousendit.com/498A536322A2975C You can see the video of 'Un Ricordo' the duet that Alessandro recorded with Miriam Stockley - It will be Video of the Week on Classic FM TV in England. The video will be on heavy rotation the week from the 31st of March till the 7th of April. http://www.alessandrosafina.info/alesaf/videos/video_unricordo.htm Alessandro also recorded 2 new songs and videos in duet with Sarah Brightman in Vienna. The videos are broadcasted on American television. http://www.alessandrosafina.info/privato/federico/SQ.htm http://www.alessandrosafina.info/privato/federico/CDT.
2008 Morten Harket (A-HA) is back with a brilliant new album “Letter from Egypt” We all know how the story has developed thus far: Morten met his band-mates in the early 80's, formed A-HA and became the rock star he set out to be, along the way achieving notable success and not too few rock landmarks – selling nearly 40 million albums & attaining the Guinness World Record for the largest paying audience ever, 194,000 in 1991 in Rio among many others. The new album “Letter from Egypt” is his latest road travelled and his second solo album (“Wild Seed” from 1995 is the first) and it reflects his interest in all aspects of the worlds we inhabit. The first single is: “Darkspace (You’re With Me)”
30/01/2008 Van Morrison’s 'Keep It Simple' To Be Released By Lost Highway on March 17th First Album of All New Material in Two Years Lost Highway will proudly release Keep It Simple, the new album from Van Morrison. Keep It Simple is Morrison’s first album of new material since 2005, and the first in several years in which he penned all 11 songs specifically for one album. In the interim the legendary artist had a year that may be unprecedented for any living artist, having released three separate collections of his hits, with the latest, Still On Top entering the UK charts at #2 and selling platinum, proving the ongoing appetite for his unrivaled work. His music has always incorporated the widely varied influences he heard and absorbed since his childhood days on the streets of Belfast- long before the bands of his youth and his initial breakthrough with Them. On Keep It Simple, Morrison honors all those varied influences - jazz, folk, blues, Celtic, country, soul and gospel - at times melding them all together at once in his own signature sound. “I felt I had something to say with these songs…” explains Morrison. There is a definite theme that recurs throughout the album, especially in the title track. In keeping with that idea, Keep It Simple does not boast the big horns or string arrangements of some of Morrison’s previous work. What it does feature are gorgeous songs rich with emotion, depth and beauty. As on the poignant “Soul,” where Morrison repeats the chorus, as if to subtly remind us that, “Soul is a feeling, a feeling deep within. Soul is not the color of your skin.” Morrison explains his approach with the track, “Entrainment” – “Entrainment is when you connect with the music… Entrainment is really what I’m getting at in the music…It’s kind of when you’re in the present moment – you’re here – with no past or future.” Whether it’s the easy country gospel of “Song of Home” or the bluesy swing of “How Can A Poor Boy,” throughout Keep It Simple Morrison exudes a wisdom gained through five decades of making groundbreaking music. Few artists have successfully recorded in as many genres of music as Van Morrison, and even fewer have remained as relevant for as long (only Ray Charles, with whom Van collaborated, comes to mind). Morrison has done so by constantly moving forward and never sitting still. On the heels of a series of "Best Of" releases, this record starts fresh with what could well be a record full of all new classics. The incomparable Van Morrison has also announced three significant tour dates in support of Keep It Simple. Morrison’s tour begins on Monday, March 10, with a show at the Austin Music Hall in Austin, Texas. Morrison returns to the Live Music Capital after an extraordinary performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival followed by the taping of his first appearance on the legendary Austin City Limits television show in 2005. Following Austin, Morrison will head to Nashville, TN returning to the historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday March 12. Morrison’s last visit to Music City USA, in support of his 2005 release Pay The Devil (Lost Highway), was actually his first time in Nashville. To commemorate the 2005 event the mayor proclaimed the day “Van Morrison Day”, and signed a proclamation in his honor. And finally, on Thursday March 13, Ireland’s favorite son kicks off the St. Patrick’s Day weekend with a performance at the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA.
30/01/2008 Jay-Z Officially Announces Release of His New Album, American Gangster. Jay-Z Creates Original Material to be Released in Conjunction With Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment’s American Gangster Roc-A-Fella Records and Jay-Z will release the new album American Gangster on November 12 . Separate from the official motion picture soundtrack, this collection of all-new original material is a musical journey and lyrical interpretation of snapshots from the upcoming motion picture American Gangster, which pairs Oscar® winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Based on the true story of criminal mastermind Frank Lucas, who came up from the streets of New York in the ’70s, the film is produced by Academy Award®-winning producer Brian Grazer and directed and produced by Ridley Scott. It opens on November 2 in the US. The conceptual, full body of work from the new album balances the line between pure entertainment and real life. Jay-Z draws upon past experiences, speaking to the harsh reality of the drug trade still taking place in our nation's cities. While not glorifying the Frank Lucas story, Jay-Z articulates the lure of a gangster's life and stands as an example of one who chose to leave those streets behind to go on and become one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time. Throughout American Gangster, Jay-Z brings the audience into a world rich in familial relationships, hustling and the lasting effects of drugs on a community. Through its musical tone, the album complements the story as told in the major motion picture release. About Jay-Z Since 1995, Jay-Z has dominated the rap industry and set the trends for a generation. Ten summers later, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has come to personify the new “American Dream” for millions the world over. Named President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, in 2005, he is the founder and chairman of Rocawear, co-owner of the NJ Nets, 40/40 Sports Clubs and co-owner of skin care and beauty line Carol’s Daughter. Jay-Z became the first non-athlete to enter into a major footwear co-venture with his S. Carter line for Reebok and in addition, continues his philanthropic work through his Water For Life initiative Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. Over his career, the multiple award winner has sold over 40 million albums and sold out arenas the world over. About the Film Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Brian Grazer, Steven Zaillian and Ridley Scott team to tell the true juggernaut success story of a cult figure from the streets of 1970s Harlem in American Gangster. Washington stars as Frank Lucas, a brilliant entrepreneur and self-made embodiment of the American dream who comes from nowhere to rule the inner-city drug trade, and Crowe is Richie Roberts, an outcast cop zeroing in on who is outfoxing and outplaying all the familiar mafia families as he closes in on this unexpected new streetwise superstar.
31/01/2008 Jermaine Dupri’s Greatest hits albums Jermaine Dupri Title: Ya’ll Know What This Is… The Hits Barcode: 602517500136 JERMAINE DUPRI DOUBLE-BARRELED TRIBUTE Y’ALL KNOW WHAT THIS IS…THE HITS, 10-SONG COLLECTION OF HIS WORK AS ARTIST, PRODUCER, SONGWRITER ON SO SO DEF / ISLAND URBAN MUSIC From Kris Kross’ “Jump” in 1992, to Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” in 2005 – plus tracks with Jay-Z, Ludacris, Dru Hill, Usher, Bow Wow, Monica, Chingy, MC Lyte, XSCAPE, and more!! The mega-successful career of Jermaine Dupri, the platinum prodigy of the music world, the top-charted producing and songwriting wizard behind many of today’s best-selling artists, and as of this year, president of Island Records Urban Music, a new division of the Island Def Jam Music Group – will receive a well-deserved double tribute Y’ALL KNOW WHAT THIS IS…THE HITS, a 10-song collection spanning a decade and a half of Dupri’s work – from Kris Kross’ “Jump” in 1992, to Mariah Carey’s Grammy Award-winning “We Belong Together” in 2005, and beyond – in stores now on So So Def / Island Urban Music. The final track sequence for Y’ALL KNOW WHAT THIS IS…THE HITS is as follows: 1. Welcome To Atlanta (Jermaine Dupri & Ludacris, from Instructions, 2001) * 2. Jump (Kris Kross, from Totally Krossed Out, 1992) * 3. Sleepin’ In My Bed (So So Def Remix) (Dru Hill featuring Da Brat & Jermaine Dupri, from Dru Hill, 1997) * 4. We Belong Together (Mariah Carey, from The Emancipation Of Mimi, 2005) * 5. Money Ain’t A Thang (Jermaine Dupri & Jay-Z, from Jermaine Dupri Presents: Life in 1472 – The Original Soundtrack, 1998) * 6. Confessions Part II (Usher, from Confessions, 2004) * 7. Like You (Bow Wow featuring Ciara, from Wanted, 2005) * 8. The First Night (Monica, from The Boy Is Mine, 1998) * 9. Pullin’ Me Back (Chingy featuring Tyrese, from Hoodstar, 2006) * 10. Keep On, Keepin’ On (MC Lyte featuring Xscape, from Bad As I Wanna B, 1996). Complementing the scope of the album, and presenting an in-depth portrait of this artist as a young man in Atlanta, is Young, Rich, And Dangerous. Reaching all the way back to his gig as an opening act dancer at age 12 on the nationwide Fresh Fest ’84 hip-hop tour (with a cast that included Whodini, Fat Boys, Run-DMC, Grandmaster Flash, and Kurtis Blow), the book pulls no punches. Dupri was just 16 when he discovered the Mack Daddy & Daddy Mack duo of 12-year olds known as Kris Kross (“Jump”); and he was just 20 when he launched his independent label, So So Def Recordings. So So Def became known as an engine not only of hit records, but of artist development. As writer, producer and remixer, Dupri was recognized by the industry as one of the foremost young entrepreneurs driving the arrival of hip-hop as a creative and commercial force in mainstream music. He went on to sign and nurture the careers of many gold, platinum, and multi-platinum selling artists including Xscape, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, Lil’ Bow Wow, Dem Franchize Boyz, J-Kwon, Youngbloodz, and Anthony Hamilton. His long-distance run of hits with Usher, which began in 1997, culminated with 2004’s string of “Burn,” “Confessions Part II,” and “My Boo” (a duet with Alicia Keys) which drove 8-times platinum sales of Usher’s Confessions album, making it the best-selling album of the year. In 2007, Dupri’s appointment as president of Island Records Urban Music was announced by Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. But Dupri was no stranger to the Island roster, having co-written and co-produced the Mariah Carey #1 hits “We Belong Together” (for which he shared the Grammy award for Best R&B Song), “Shake It Off,” and “Don’t Forget About Us.” All three were from The Emancipation of Mimi, the #1 top-selling album of 2005. In addition to his collaborations with IDJ artists Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Lionel Richie, Dupri has turned out hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, TLC, Run-DMC, Toni Braxton, Alicia Keyes, Nelly, Chingy, Janet Jackson, Monica, Aaliyah, Ciara, and many others. Young, Rich, And Dangerous reveals never-before-seen photographs from studios, parties, and awards shows, as it portrays the exhilarating step-by-step moves of someone who has risen to the top of this remarkable business, yet still remembers what matters most: the discovery and the process and the music. In his foreword, close friend Teddy Riley describes the book as, “truly a gift. Only someone like Jermaine, who knows it because he lives it, is in a position to deliver such necessary and relevant insights.”
4/2/2008 Turkey´s biggest pop star is back! Two years after his last album “Come Closer” (sung in complete English) Tarkan goes through a metamorphose, a change back to his origin and more homegrown flavour: “Metamorfoz” is the representative title of his follow up, this time sung in Turkish language! The sound of the album defines its title: The mixture of synthesizer sounds and beats make the change of the once so-called Orient-Pop Star to a world-artist obvious. Tarkan´s poppy vocals with it´s characteristic oriental style give the album its finishing touch. His melodious song-writing combined with the western production make “Metamorfoz” a real experience
4/2/2008 Sometimes it takes one individual to rise up, to be the voice, to speak the truth with no restriction. When that individual speaks, people listen, and a revolution can begin. Belly (a.k.a Rebellyus) is bringing “The Revolution” in the Spring of 2007 through major independent label Capital Prophet Records. Born on April 7, 1984 in the Middle East, Belly grew up surrounded by war, violence, and atrocities no child should ever have to see. When he moved to Canada with his family, Belly saw the money and wealth that was only a dream in his birthplace. His hunger for monetary comfort lead him to the streets, on the block hustling to get his hands on a piece of the wealth that was available for the taking. Turning to the streets at a very young age made Belly strong and resilient but he needed an outlet to release the aggressions building up within him. It was rap music that saved his life. "I always had a love for rap music, and I eventually found out that rap was the only way I could really express myself and talk about the things going on in my life. Without music I'd be dead...or in jail.", says Belly. Looking to rap music to express himself and tell his life story, he began recording street singles on a home computer. It wasn’t until a year later that Tony Sal, also resident from Ottawa, discovered Belly and the untapped talent he possessed. In 2001, Tony Sal, a budding business savvy entrepreneur, formed the independent record label, Capital Prophet Records, with two artists – Belly and Massari. In 2002, Capital Prophet Records found interest from an independent label based out of Chicago. Belly along with label mate Massari recorded a 10-track demo in Chicago and LA featuring artists from Chicago. The demo never saw the light of day, problems with the law led to the closure of the label and the incarceration of key figures within the label. Upon returning to Ottawa in 2002, Capital Prophet Records and its artists began to develop and strengthen. In 2003, the single “Spitfire” was released. With local radio station Hot 89.9’s support, the track became a local anthem. Belly and Massari were quickly known as “The Prophets”, stirring up controversy among different religious groups. Having all grown up together and coming from different religious and ethnic backgrounds themselves, “The Prophets” and Capital Prophet Records ignored any and all racial and religious barriers and released the “Spitfire” EP along with a follow-up single. The second single wasn't received the same way the first single was and a frustrated Belly returned to the street life. It wasn't long before Belly became restless and fed up with street life and returned to the studio with a new found intensity and understanding; ready to show the world exactly what street life was as seen through someone who had lived it. Armed with his natural ability to string together words and his life experiences up until that point, Belly hit the studio and recorded two full-length mix-tapes. Taking everything he had become aware of and accustomed to on the streets and sharing his life-lessons for anyone who would listen. The harsh and controversial lyrics were Belly’s truth, and the truth wasn’t always pretty. His first mix-tape, “Death Before Dishonor/Vol 1” with DJ Kool Kid (renowned New York DJ) included tracks with Harlem’s own Loon. The success of the first mix-tape led to the sequel, “Death Before Dishonor/Vol 2”, recorded in the U.S with DJ Kay Slay and featuring appearances by JR Writer (DipSet), Shells (J Records), Bumpy Johnson (Atlantic Records) and more. The two mix-tapes have sold over 25,000 units combined on the streets from coast to coast. Belly’s artistry was recognized at the 2005 Ottawa Hip-Hop Awards where he won 3 awards for Internationally Known Artist, MC of the Year and Mixtape of the Year. Shortly after the release of “Death Before Dishonor/Vol 2”, Belly began working closely with label mate Massari and penned “Smile For Me” and “Be Easy”. The two tracks, which appeared on Massari’s debut album, quickly became Top 10 hits at Top 40/CHR radio stations across Canada. With two successful mix-tapes and two chart-topping singles under his belt, Belly began recording material for his own full-length debut album. The CD entitled “The Revolution” is a double album and is set for international release on Capital Prophet Records in the Summer of 2006. Belly recruited many of hip-hops finest to work alongside him in “The Revolution”. With production by Daheala (Capital Prophet Records), Kojak (Lil’ Flip, Mike Jones, Paul Wall), Lynxx and Beat Merchant (Capital Prophet Records newest member of their production team) the double CD will touch on subjects like poverty, politics, sex, the streets, and every aspect of life. “The problems don’t stop once you get into this industry, but people should never regret anything that happens to them. Take me for example, I don’t know where I’d be and what I’d be rapping about if I didn’t live the life I lived. The pain is part of the game.”, says Belly. Never resting, Belly worked simultaneously on the much anticipated “Death Before Dishonor/Vol 3” hosted by Mixtape Award-winning DJ Sickamore. The mix-tape, recorded in Canada, Houston and New York will find it’s way to the streets this March 2006 and features hip hop veteran Scarface on the street single “I Swear”.
