Maroon 5 - Call And Response: The Remix Album

MAROON 5 ANNOUNCES DECEMBER 9th RELEASE FOR
CALL & RESPONSE: THE REMIX ALBUM

REMIXES BY PHARRELL, DEERHOOF, OF MONTREAL, COOL KIDS, SWIZZ BEATZ
AND MANY MORE HIGHLIGHTED ON 18-TRACK ACTION-PACKED DISC

Multi-platinum Grammy winning quintet MAROON 5 has announced a December 9th release for CALL & RESPONSE: THE REMIX ALBUM (A&M/Octone), an exhilarating 18-track mixtape that features Pharrell Williams, Deerhoof, of Montreal, Cool Kids, David Banner, Paul Oakenfold and many more putting new twists on several of the band’s biggest hits.

“I’ve always found it really interesting that a group of people looking at the same painting can all see different things,” says Maroon 5 vocalist/guitarist Adam Levine. “That was the idea behind this record—to take a few of our songs and have them interpreted by some of our favorite artists. We were really blown away by what they came up with.”

CALL & RESPONSE: THE REMIX ALBUM pulsates with provocative renditions of songs culled from Maroon 5’s hugely successful debut, SONGS ABOUT JANE and its predecessor IT WON’T BE SOON BEFORE LONG. The two albums have made Maroon 5 one of the most successful bands to emerge this decade, with more than 14 million worldwide sales, a remarkable string of chart-topping hit singles, a trio of Grammy wins and an international fanbase whose members number in the millions.

The album introduces itself with a frenetic beat-breaking take on “If I Never See Your Face Again” by acclaimed hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz.

"Maroon 5 is amazing and I've been a huge fan for a long time,” says Swizz Beats. “I'm excited to be a part of the project and can't wait to work on the next one."

Among the many highlights on CALL & RESPONSE: THE REMIX ALBUM are stunning new versions of “She Will Be Loved” by Pharrell Williams, “Goodnight Goodnight” by art rockers Deerhoof, “Wake Up Call” by Mississippi MC David Banner, “Harder To Breathe” by retro-rappers The Cool Kids, “Sunday Morning” by The Roots’ Questlove and “Little Of Your Time” by indie pop darlings of Montreal.

"Maroon 5 is perfect for in da shower and the most exquisite nite clubs,” says of Montreal’s List Cristi. “We were psyched to work on ‘Little of Your Time’—that song is crazy catchy."

The full track listing for CALL & RESPONSE: THE REMIX ALBUM is as follows:

1. “If I Never See Your Face Again” - Swizz Beats
2. “Wake Up Call” Feat. Mary J Blige - Mark Ronson
3. “Sunday Morning” - Questlove
4. “Makes Me Wonder” - Just Blaze
5. “This Love” - Tricky Stewart
6. “She Will Be Loved” - Pharrell Williams
7. “Shiver” - DJ Quik
8. “Wake Up Call” - David Banner
9. “Harder to Breathe” - Cool Kids
10. “Little Of Your Time” - Bloodshy and Avant
11. “Little Of Your Time” - of Montreal
12. “Goodnight Goodnight” - Deerhoof
13. “Not Falling Apart” - Tiesto
14. “Better That We Break” - Ali Shaheed Muhammad
15. “Secret” - DJ Premier
16. “Woman” - Sam Farrar of Phantom Planet
17. “This Love” - Cut Copy
18. “If I Never See Your Face Again” Feat. Rihanna - Paul Oakenfold

Maroon 5 (Levine, guitarist James Valentine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bassist Mickey Madden and drummer Matt Flynn) recently wrapped up the final leg of their North American tour in support of double-platinum-selling album IT WON’T BE SOON BEFORE LONG. The disc, which entered Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 1, has spawned four straight hit singles, including No. 1 smash “Makes Me Wonder” (which also earned the band a Grammy for “Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals”), and top ten follow-ups “If I Never See Your Face Again,” “Won’t Go Home Without You” and “Wake Up Call.” Maroon 5 recently shot a video for the album’s fifth and latest hit, “Goodnight Goodnight,” with director Marc Webb (Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance, Snow Patrol).

www.maroon5.com

Dido - Safe Trip Home

The journey is underway for Dido’s forthcoming album, Safe Trip Home, which will be released by Arista Records on November 18, 2008.

Leading up to the release of her third album, film directors from around the world have been invited to make a series of short films to spotlight each of the album's 11 songs. Filmed at locations though out the globe (Mumbai, Rio, Bangkok and more), each film will examine a day in life of people in different countries. online at: www.SafeTripHome.com

In the coming weeks, Dido will host upcoming listening parties outside of London and Los Angeles, where Safe Trip Home will be played its entirety. Afterwards, she will meet fans.

Safe Trip Home is currently available for digital pre-order from the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com). Customers who pre-order the album from iTunes will instantly receive Dido’s new single, “Don’t Believe In Love.” Two digital versions are available through iTunes: a standard and a deluxe that features bonus content. The deluxe version contains three bonus tracks “For One Day,” “Summer” and a remixed version of “Northern Skies,” a video for “Don’t Believe In Love,” digital liner notes, plus the pre-orders-only track “The Day Before The Day 5/4.”

Recorded in Los Angeles and London, Safe Trip Home is produced by Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Kanye West, Rufus Wainwright, Eels) , Ark—the new production company founded by Rollo Armstrong (Faithless) and Dido. The new album includes smoldering, soulful songs that feature Dido playing guitar, piano, bells and the trusty recorder she toured Europe with as a prodigious pupil of London’s Guildhall School of Music. She’s even responsible for some of the album’s drums (most notably on the sumptuously melancholy “Quiet Times.”). The record also includes “Grafton Street,” a song Dido co-wrote with Brian Eno.

Safe Trip Home follows the global, chart-topping success of Dido’s two previous albums: No Angel and Life for Rent.

Don't Believe in Love (WM, Streaming, 2,204k, Video)

Best Of Hilary Duff

It’s almost unfair to ask Hilary Duff to pause – even for a moment – to reflect on her accomplishments. After all, she didn’t reach the pinnacle of success by looking backward. Yet with the release of "Best of Hilary Duff," the 21-year-old singer/actress seems to do just that. The Hollywood Records collection features hits from each of her previous CD releases, including remixes of a few classic tunes. Best of all, the set boasts two new songs, "Reach Out" and "Holiday," both of which point to Hilary’s bold new musical direction.

"What’s nice about it is being able to relive moments," she says of the new album, "from the beginning to where I am now." And where is she now? The debut single, "Reach Out," is a hip-hop flavored rocker combining Hilary’s edgy vocals paired with guest rapper, Prophet, and a sample from the 1989 Depeche Mode classic "Personal Jesus." Says Hilary, “It’s a fun club song about a girl who really wants this guy. She thinks she can’t live without him."

The other newly recorded track, "Holiday," was co-written by Hilary with her sister Haylie Duff and producer Ryan “Alias” Tedder from One Republic. Hilary counts it among her personal favorites. "It’s about someone leaving," she says, "their bags packed like they’re taking a trip. But the person’s really going forever. Writing the song was tough. I guess I was in a healing mode."

Also included on "Best of Hilary Duff" are early hits like "So Yesterday," "Why Not" and a remix of "Come Clean," both from 2003's "Metamorphosis" CD. From her self-titled 2004 set, "Fly," and from "Most Wanted," a new remix of "Wake Up." And from last year’s "Dignity" album, "With Love," "PlayWith Fire" and a remix of "Stranger."

With this album, fans can chart Hilary’s musical growth, from ingénue teen sensation to mature artist. "I like so many different kinds of music," says Hilary. "I’m all over the place with my musical taste, so I like having lots of influences. I’m excited about music and getting the itch to write again."

http://wdig.vo.llnwd.net/d1/hollywood_records/hilaryduff/videos/hilary_duff-reach_out_final_300.wmv
hilaryduff.com

Controllerism

It's a brave new world for digital media manipulation. A concept that started decades ago is finally taking hold.

For DJs, timecode vinyl (i.e. Serato) has been a standard for a while. This is where the DJ uses a piece of vinyl with timecode on it to trigger digital files. To the uneducated, it might look like the DJ is playing actual vinyl. In a way she is, except this vinyl has no sound on it, just timecode. It's a hybrid of old school and new school, and allows the Dj to use the feel of vinyl to trigger digital songs and sounds from a computer.

More recently, DJs are using MIDI controllers to progress their sound and technique. I made the switch a year ago and love it. I guess that's why I like to follow this trend closely. The equipment and the people who are using it are exciting.

One of the first names that comes to mind is Daedelus, who rocks out with edgy controllers and Ableton Live. There's a vast number of boutique and big company units out there. One company that is established, uses open source, and makes futuristic controllers is monome. Since it's open source, anyone can write their own programs for these boxes.

OK, enough with words. Here's some video.

Bitbasic rocks the monome's 40h and his own dj64 software.

dj64 for Monome - by Bitbasic from simon on Vimeo.

Interview with Daedelus.

XLR8R TV Episode 71: Daedelus from XLR8RTV on Vimeo.

ULTRASLACKS - I KISSED BESITO

A mix from Ultraslacks - "I Kissed Besito." Hope you like it.

I wanted Katy Perry to be unwittingly kissing a drag queen when she thought she was kissing a girl.Seems more ineteresting, to me. And there ya go. Not exactly what I was shooting for, but Besito does seem like a hellcat.

CLOSER: THE BEST OF SARAH MCLACHLAN

ARISTA RECORDS TO RELEASE
CLOSER: THE BEST OF SARAH MCLACHLAN
ON OCTOBER 7, 2008
16 –Track Anthology Surveys The Spectacular Career
Of The Multi-Platinum Singer/Songwriter
And Includes Two Brand New And Previously Unissued Recordings


(New York- August 8, 2008) On October 7th, 2008, multi-platinum Arista recording artist Sarah McLachlan will release the first best-of collection of her long and illustrious career.

Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan contains 14 classic tracks personally selected by the artist from her award-winning catalog, as well as two newly recorded and previously unreleased songs, “U Want Me 2” and “Don't Give Up On Us,” working with her longtime producer Pierre Marchand. Additionally, a deluxe 2-CD version will be available, which will include the 16 song album plus a bonus disc of additional songs from Sarah's discography.

Since joining Arista two decades ago, every one of Sarah McLachlan’s studio and live albums and videos have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA, starting with Touch (1988) and Solace (1991), both gold sellers. Her 1993 breakthrough, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (triple-platinum) was followed by the digitally enhanced multimedia version of The Freedom Sessions (1995, gold). Sarah’s landmark fifth album, the 8x-platinum Surfacing (1997), contained two Grammy Award-winning tracks, as “Building a Mystery” won for Best Female Pop Vocal, and “Last Dance” was voted Best Pop Instrumental. 1999’s triple-platinum Mirrorball, and its platinum long-form video counterpart, were both culled from that year’s Lilith Fair tour, and spun off Sarah’s third Grammy-winning performance, as “I Will Remember You” won for Best Female Pop Vocal. The double-platinum Afterglow followed in 2003, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, while its opening track, “Fallen” was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal. 2007's Wintersong, was the #1 best seller on the Holiday Album charts that year, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, and was certified Platinum, marking her 15th release to be certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA.

Here are some of the highlights of Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan:

· “Good Enough,” “Possession” – Both tracks are culled from Sarah McLachlan’s third Arista album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (released 10/22/1993), her commercial break through and first Billboard Top 50 chart entry. “…McLachlan never flinches, never takes the easy route of cliché and formula. This care and attention given to her art allows each song to stand strong individually, making the whole an extraordinary collection.” (AllMusic.com)

· “Building A Mystery” – Taken from the Diamond-certified (10X platinum) album Surfacing (released 7/15/1997), which entered the Billboard chart at Number Two, “Building A Mystery” won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal. (“Last Dance,” a second track from Surfacing not included on the new collection, was voted Best Pop Instrumental.)

· “I Will Remember You” – Sarah McLachlan founded the legendary Lilith Tour in 1997 and her quadruple-platinum album, Mirrorball (released 6/15/1999), was recorded live during the 1999 tour. “I Will Remember You” from Mirrorball earned Sarah her third career Grammy Award, again in the category of Best Female Pop Vocal.

· “Fallen” – The opening track from Sarah’s double-platinum album Afterglow (released 11/4/2003), which reached Number Two on the Billboard Top 200. "Fallen" was nomi nated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal. In addition, Afterglow was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album.

· “U Want Me 2,” “Don't Give Up On Us” – Composed by Sarah McLachlan and co-produced by Sarah and Pierre Marchand, these new recordings will be a special treat for fans who eagerly await the follow-up to Afterglow, Sarah’s last album of all-original material.

ANNIE LENNOX CELEBRATES SOLO HITS

TWO NEW SONGS AND DELUXE CD/DVD EDITION AVAILABLE
EXCLUSIVELY WITH THIS COLLECTION


The Annie Lennox Collection paints a vivid portrait in song of the most successful female British artist in pop music history. Available September 16 from Arista Records, this 14-song retrospective brings together the acclaimed artist’s finest solo work on a single disc for the first time, and includes a pair of new songs available exclusively with this release.

“It seems like the time has come to release the Collection this year,” Lennox says of her first best-of set. “I’m very proud of these songs. They are timeless and have become ‘classics’ in their own right.”

Spanning 15 years, The Annie Lennox Collection also available in a Deluxe CD/DVD edition includes hits from her four top-selling solo albums Diva (1992), Medusa (1995), Bare (2003) and last year’s highly praised Songs of Mass Destruction. The timeless music selected for this collection uniquely reflects the essence of the singer’s instantly recognizable brand of soul music on tracks like “Why,” “Walking on Broken Glass” and “No More ‘I Love You’s’” — a song that earned Lennox one of her four Grammys.

The retrospective also includes two new songs that Lennox recorded specially for this collection. The first, “Pattern of My Life,” was written by Tom Chaplin of Keane, who allowed Lennox to change the title of his song for this collection. The second is a cover of “Shining Light,” a song originally recorded by Ash in 2001. “I first discovered this song by Ash about six years ago, and I simply couldn’t stop listening to it. It’s so exultant that it virtually shimmers,” Lennox says.

Among the many highlights on The Annie Lennox Collection is “Sing,” a song that references The SING Campaign, a humanitarian organization Lennox founded to raise awareness and support for the AIDS/HIV pandemic in Africa. “We’re still in the early stages, but this is a lifelong commitment on my part,” Lennox says. “I’m coming out from behind my singing voice to express myself in broader terms and help give a voice to those who don’t have the same opportunities as I do.”

A dynamic activist, Lennox recently received the Red Cross Services to Humanity Award, was named the 2008 Glamour Inspirational Woman of the Year and sang for Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebration this summer in London. Lennox will again take the stage for a very special cause September 9 in New York and September 21 in London, when she performs as part of Peace One Day’s concerts to herald the organization’s goal of fostering non-violence.

In her 26-year career, both as a member of the groundbreaking Eurythmics and as a solo artist, the Scottish lass born on Christmas Day has amassed sales of more than 78 million albums worldwide. Her towering achievements also include 34 hit singles, four Grammy Awards, 11 Brit Awards and five Ivor Novello Awards. The superstar has also won an Academy Award and two Golden Globes.


THE ANNIE LENNOX COLLECTION
Track Listing

1. “Little Bird”
2. “Walking on Broken Glass”
3. “Why”
4. “No More I Love You’s”
5. “Precious”
6. “A Whiter Shade of Pale”
7. “A Thousand Beautiful Things”
8. “Sing”
9. “Pavement Cracks”
10. “Love Song for a Vampire”
11. “Cold”
12. “Dark Road”
13. “Pattern of My Life”
14. “Shining Light”

http://www.annielennox.com/

http://www.myspace.com/annielennox

http://youtube.com/annielennox

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Annie-Lennox/6216464588

Leduxe

Earlier this week, I heard a good mash of Lady GaGa "Just Dance" and Wolfgang Gartner "Frenetica" and thought it was a "BabieBoyBlue" creation (he specializes in video mashups- and Ron a dj friend told me about it.) So, when I made my own mash after seeing the video, I thought it was BBoyBlue who has the idea to combine the two tracks. Turns, out, BBoyBlue used the music mash from a guy called LeDuxe. I just wanted a really clean version so I could play it, umm, real loud.

Of course, Lady GaGa has gotten plenty of mention here- way before she blew up. There is a clean acapella... and for the backing music, 'my' mash uses beats from Wolfgang Gartner. He's from the western USA and makes funky electro.

I've got it up on MySpace Ultraslacks.

So, thanks everybody! Ableton Live & I had fun on a Sunday night.

Robin Thicke "Magic"

Check out the new video for "Magic"
from the forthcoming StarTrak/Interscope Records release
Something Else
Available September 30th, 2008

Click for the "Magic" music video

www.robinthicke.com
www.myspace.com/robinthicke

L.P. "Good With You/Cling To Me"

New York City's much buzzed about songstress L.P. has just released the
first single "Good With You" off of her soon to be named and highly
anticipated record set to hit in early 2009 via SoBe Entertainment. L.P. was
featured as Clear Channel's Artist to Watch for their NEW! program in June
and the single is quickly gaining traction in the AAA format.
Armed with a voice that weaves seamlessly between being fierce and
vulnerable, L.P. can captivate an audience with a single note, and turn a
crowd of strangers into rabid fans with just one song. Nothing iterates this
point better than the story of SXSW 2006 where her live performance inspired
a label bidding war. This ultimately led to her being signed by LA Reid
himself to Island Records. While L.P. says it's "nice" that she inspired the
competition, the singer ultimately walked away from the deal with her songs
in hand, the material that will be included on her forthcoming album on SoBe
Entertainment.
L.P. has invited comparisons to Janis Joplin, Joan Jett, Gwen Stefani and
Chrissie Hynde and has worked with go-to rocker Linda Perry who is a self
confessed fan. The Washington Post call's L.P. ". . . a punky rocker with
the pipes of a belter," while Entertainment Weekly exclaims "NYC moptop
songwriter L.P. has toured the country and back, but nothing much spins her
wheels off their axles" and Cincinnati City Beat offers up this piece of
advice, "Tell a friend: L.P. is going to be huge."

"Good With You" single buy links:

Amazon MP3 link

iTunes

L.P. YouTube Channel

L.P. Official Site

L.P. MySpace page

Stax Records To Release Nikka Costa's PEBBLE TO A PEARL

(NYC) Pebble To A Pearl, will be released on September 23, 2008 on the Newly Re-Launched Stax in
Conjunction with Nikka’s own Go Funk Yourself Records

New York, NY - Nikka Costa has always seemed to thrive on a certain sense of freedom. It’s no wonder, that when Nikka set out to create a record on her own terms and as an independent artist finally free of major label confines, she has made her boldest and most passionate record yet. Over 14 days at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, Nikka created Pebble to a Pearl- a quintessential collection of soul, blues, funk & pop infused tracks which marks Nikka's triumphant return onto the scene this Fall. On September 23, 2008 the legendary Stax Records will release the album in conjunction with Nikka’s own Go Funk Yourself Records.

Growing up as legendary producer, Don Costa’s (Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra) daughter, she broke on the scene in the early 2000’s with an intuitive sensibility for the soulful sound that has kept her place as a forerunner among the new breed of soul singers. During this time, she toured with Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay and Beck, recorded with Mark Ronson, was nominated for an MTV Music Award and had hit singles in Europe. Known for her dynamic and energetic live performance's Nikka's voice and presence has often been compared with Janis Joplin, Chaka Khan and Sly Stone.

Pebble to a Pearl may be perhaps the most honest of these albums to date, blending sounds and textures in an undefined concoction that speaks as profoundly to a discriminating musician’s ear as it does to the casual listener.

The album was produced by Justin Mitchell Stanley (Jamie Lidell, Beck) as an analog recording on two inch tape and Nikka and the band recorded the songs live in the studio, giving it a truly organic feel. Joining Nikka on the record is legendary drummer James Gadson (Al Green, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder), Grammy Award winning songwriter, and keyboardist James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Al Green), extraordinary guitarists Jason Falkner (Beck, Air, Paul McCartney) and Chris Bruce (George Clinton/Parliament, Me'Shell Ndege'Ocello, Betty Lavette).

The track listing is:
1. Stuck to You 7. Keep Pushin
2. Can’t Please Everyone 8. Love to Love You Less
3. Pebble to a Pearl 9. Without Love
4. Someone for Everyone 10. Damn I Said It First
5. Cry Baby 11. Loving You
6. Keep Wanting More 12. Bullets in the Sky


www.nikkacosta.com

Robin Thicke releases SOMETHING ELSE Sept. 9th

(NYC) Robin Thicke taught himself to play piano at the age of twelve and by the age of fourteen, he could play anything he heard on the radio. At sixteen, with no formal training, Robin bean professionally writing and producing music for recording artists such as Brandy and Brian McKnight. As a singwriter and producer, he has amassed dozens of gold and platinum records with artists including Usher, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera and received a Grammy for his participation on Usher’s “Confessions” album.

His first album, A Beautiful World, was released in 2003 and yielded the hit song, “When I Get You Alone.” His second album , The Evolution Of Robin Thicke, was released in late 2006 and marked a breakthrough. Now at 1.7 million units and on the way to double platinum, the album yielded the mega hit “Lost Without U.” The #1 most played song in Urban Adult Contemporary BDS history, “Lost Without You” propelled the album to #5 on the Billboard Pop album chart, and gave Robin the distinction of topping 4 Billboard charts simultaneously: #1 R&B /Hip Hop album, #1 Hot R&B / Hip Hop song, #1 Hot R&B Hip Hop Airplay, and #1 Hot Adult R&B Airplay. In addition to the rare distinction of appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show twice within 2 weeks (unprecedented for any artist), this exposure on the highest rated and most influential daytime television show expanded Robin’s already loyal fan base to the mainstream. Robin had paid his dues long before the “sudden success” -- he had been touring before the album release and long after – gaining fans from coast to coast supporting India.Arie, John Legend and Beyonce’ and visiting every supporting radio station along the way. Robin was soon trekking on his own sold-out headline tours of the US, Canada and Europe.

The year 2007 concluded with winning the VH1 Soul/ Vibe award for “Best Breakthrough Artist” as well as receiving nominations from BET (Best Male R&B and Viewer’s Choice), Soul Train (Best R&B Soul Album, Male), MTV VMA (Male Artist of the Year), MOBO (Best Song “Lost Without U”), and the American Music Awards (Favorite Breakthrough Artist).

Robin is primed and ready for Something Else. “It was like everyone was saying the same things, worried about the same things and I just felt we needed something different right now. I asked myself do I have a light? What is that light? How can I spread it, share it and turn it into a Puff Daddy white linen Miami Beach party?” After a tireless schedule of touring and appearances Robin needed to sit back, reflect on the last 2 years and start anew.

“On the last album I wanted to let people into my walk of life and connect my life to them and this album is more about involving great minds, hearts and spirits around me. When I started writing songs I was already embracing people and now I just wanted to dance and laugh with them”. With that spirit driving the creative process Robin has penned some of the best songs of his career from the retro meets modern groove of the first single “Magic”, the upbeat celebration of “Sidestep” to the picturesque “Dreamworld” he is taking the listener on a musical journey that is truly unique, sexy and invigorating. Something Else is exactly the kind of record that the world needs right now to feel inspired again.

The album Something Else is scheduled for release on September 9th (Interscope Records)


www.robinthicke.com

"SOL-ANGEL AND THE HADLEY ST. DREAMS" IN STORES AUGUST 26TH

SoL-AngeL and The Hadley St. Dreams, features a dream-team of hot producers and songwriters that include: Solange herself, Grammy winner Mark Ronson, The Neptunes, Q-Tip, Lamont Dozier, SoulShock & Karlin, Jack Splash, Lil Wayne, Boards of Canada, Bilal and Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry. The CD is a sample of Solange’s artistic and creative approach to music. The innovative Melina directed the video for the first single, “I Decided". Check out the video for "I Decided" http://www.solangemusic.com/media/

Solange Knowles is trained in ballet, jazz, tap and an expert in modern dance. As a back up dancer with Destiny’s Child she had the opportunity to travel all around the world which helped her develop her eclectic taste for music. It was around that time that Solange developed her knack for the written word and began writing hit songs for film and television and for her debut album, Solo Star. She later garnered an impressive list of songwriting credits which include, co-writing Beyonce’s, "Get Me Bodied" and "Upgrade You" off her B’Day album, Kelly Rowland’s "Love" off of her second album, Ms. Kelly and Michelle Williams’ latest single "We Break the Dawn." Solange’s family heritage is a creative powerhouse. She is the youngest in the talented family of Mathew Knowles, Tina Knowles and sister Beyonce Knowles.

Release Date: SoL-AngeL & the Hadley Street Dreams
(Music World Entertainment/Geffen Records) in stores August 26, 2008


www.solangemusic.com
www.myspace.com/Solange

The Presets: THE NEW ALBUM 'APOCALYPSO'

The boys from down under make big waves with their new album, Apocalypso.

"This Boy's In Love" directed by Casper Balslev.


"My People" directed by Kris Moyes.


www.myspace.com/thepresets

Goldfrapp to tour North America this Fall

Goldfrapp plows North America during their Fall tour and grows their latest album, Seventh Tree.

Their video for "Happiness," won Best British Music Video at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.


Tour Dates:

08-08 Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal - Sudoeste Festival
08-16 Almeria, Spain - Ola Festival
08-29 Stradbally, Ireland - Electric Picnic
08-30 Argyll, Scotland - Hydro Connect Festival
09-12 New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
09-14 Toronto, Ontario - Danforth Music Hall
09-16 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
09-17 Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
09-20 San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Festival
09-21 Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum
09-28 Melbourne, Australia - Parklife Festival
09-29 Perth, Australia - Parklife Festival
10-04 Brisbane, Australia - Parklife Festival
10-05 Sydney, Australia - Parklife Festival

www.goldfrapp.com
www.myspace.com/goldfrapp

Lady GaGa to perform at Miss Universe 2008

Lady GaGa to Perform Her Hit Song “Just Dance”

During the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant

Telecast Live from Vietnam Sunday, July 13, on NBC

The sensational pop star Lady GaGa will be performing her hit “Just Dance” on the the 2008 Miss UNIVERSE® Pageant, which airs live on NBC from the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam on Sunday, July 13th at 9:00 p.m. EST. Lady GaGa’s dance-pop, electro-pop and disco sound has rocked venues around the world and is expected to bring the same excitement to Vietnam. Her debut album, The Fame will be released this fall.

Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization, today announced the celebrity judges for the 2008 Miss UNIVERSE® Pageant. The judges are: Donald Trump Jr., Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization; fashion designer and entrepreneur Roberto Cavalli; Nadine Velazquez, international cover girl and star of NBC’s “My Name Is Earl”; Jennifer Hawkins, television presenter and Miss Universe 2004; Louis Licari, celebrity colorist and “Today Show” ambush makeover expert and John Nguyen, Vice Chairman of Hoan Cau, LTD Investment and Construction. As previously announced, Jerry Springer and Mel B will host the live telecast of the 57th Annual Miss Universe competition.

Each contestant, representing 80 countries and territories from around the world, will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2008. The Miss Universe show is an internationally celebrated event with distribution in more than 170 countries.

Japan native, Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007 will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. During her reign, she has traveled the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe will go on to do the same.

Donald J. Trump and Phil Gurin of The Gurin Company will again serve as Executive Producers for MISS UNIVERSE® 2008.

ABOUT THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION

The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, God’s Love We Deliver, APICHA and Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.

For more information visit: www.missuniverse.com.

Cyndi Lauper on "As The World Turns"

Tune in to "As the World Turns" today, July 3rd, to watch Cyndi Lauper as she helps Luke and Noah, two star-crossed lovers, find their "True Colors."


Click the link below for preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOW7iLvu3f0

Coming October 2008: "ZEITGEIST - ADDENDUM"

J&I just back from Shokitini, watching Badlands (Sissy Spacek, Martin Sheen- 1973. Director: Terrence Malick.) in the background, and updating this thing.

While watching Holly watch Kit leave a trail of blood throughout the state of Texas, I'm skimming video clips from Zeitgeist- The Movie (2007.) Looking forward to the October 2008 release of the sequel, Zeitgeist - Addendum.

Check out a clip from the first movie, then go to YouTube to see more in sequence.

Or just watch the entire movie from the site: Zeitgeist - The Movie.

L.P. debuts new album Fall '08

Check out the new video, "Good With You"

www.youtube.com/lpsobe

Taken from debut album on Sobe Entertainment
Coming in the fall 2008

Upcoming Shows:

July 6th Gay Pride in San Luis Obispo
July 7th The Viper Room LA
July 8th Canes Bar & Grill San Diego
July 10th 10 Galaxies San Fran
Check http://www.myspace.com/lprock for more dates

www.lprock.com

Keri Hilson's first album: “In A Perfect World…”

Even better things happen when you get three strong, creative people in the same room. September 2008 will see the release of Keri Hilson's first album, “In A Perfect World…” It is being issued as a joint release from Mosley Music Group (Tim's label) and Zone 4 (Polow's label) as an imprint of Interscope Records (Jimmy Iovine's label). The album is about relationships, it's emotive, human, gorgeously and deliberately imperfect. "No human is exempt from the realities of life—heartbreak, love, failure, success—I want my album to convey a sense of reality. That's the standpoint that lent itself to the title. There will always be something you’d change if only you lived ‘In A Perfect World…’ and I’m no different.”

The highly anticipated debut features her indomitable songwriting skills, the genre-obliterating production of Polow da Don and Timbaland, and Keri Hilson's undeniably incredible voice. "I deliver my songs with emotion," she enthuses, "I don't like a lot of effects. It takes away from the emotion. Like the raspyness of my voice in 'Slow Dance' (written with Justin Timberlake) for example. I love the way I sound on that track—straightforward, throwback, and old school. I don't want that feeling taken away. I'm so particular about those emotions. I don't want anyone to walk away from my album just thinking, 'that sounds nice.' Anybody can do that. I’m much more concerned that they walk away thinking, 'that felt great.'"

For her humility, the album is as dizzyingly good as it should be. It's a watershed moment that meets both goals—it sounds and feels great. The songs are unconventional. It's universally appealing in its pop offerings (infectious hooks are plenty) but the arrangements are challenging in how many layers there are to listen to. Heavy synth-laden basslines to the classical guitar in the tensely urgent Polow-produced "Ready to Fall," Keri anchors it all with a pitch-perfect voice that is refreshing in its versatility. From the sweeping cinematic orchestration of Timbaland's "Mic Check" ("I loved harnessing all that aggression in my voice.") to the speedy cascading electro bassline of "Return the Favor." The mutual trust between artist and producers allows them to take bold risks. Keri shouts out all the “fly girls” on her song “Get It Girl”. “A ‘Get It Girl’ is focused on getting everything she wants out of life. She is strong, independent, determined, loves to have fun, always stays fresh - and no matter what, accepts no limitations.”

“In A Perfect World…” represents a world where music is music and you can’t put it in a box. It’s a catalyst for Keri to defy categorization, “I want to be a point of reference” states Hilson. “Hip-hop has become pop; pop is hip-hop. Music is definitely changing. I want to be the crux of that. I want to be a reason, not a result.”


Look for the first single "Energy" taken from "In A Perfect Wold..." available on Itunes now


Keri Hilson “In A Perfect World” (Mosley Music Group/Interscope Records) September 23, 2008

www.kerihilsonmusic.com

www.myspace.com/kerihilson

Check out the Keri Hilson EPK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmjOueg77VQ

www.kerihilsonmusic.com