Label:Life

Universal Music Limited, a world-leading music company, announced an agreement on Saturday with Guangzhou Impact Audio-Video Co Ltd, to distribute classical music discs in the Chinese mainland.

The Guangzhou firm will be authorized to distribute discs of Decca and Philips, two world-famous classical music brands of Universal, says Jason Zhu, managing director of the company, China Daily reported Monday. [more @ www.xinhuanet.com]

Sony says its digital music players will now play MP3 format music tracks, and not just its own Atrac format.

It is a major move for the electronics giant which has been criticised for only letting its own format be played.

The change of heart should help the company compete better with Apple’s iPod and other portable digital music players which play MP3 music files.
[more @ www.bbc.co.uk]

Clouds of ambiguity hover over Senate Bill S.2560, known as the “Induce Act”, despite the latest tweaks. The Bill (Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004, to give its full title) adds the same liabilities for copyright infringement to anyone who “intentionally induces”, via a product or service, acts of copyright infringement.

The substance of the bill remains the same, despite the addition of language which appears to permit “fair use.” Such provisions are made irrelevant by the remaining language which allows manufacturers of VCRs, PVRs and PCs to become liable for inducement. [more @ www.theregister.co.uk]

When emotion drove stock-market prices to absurd new highs during the ’90s tech boom, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan famously said the financial markets were going through a period of “irrational exuberance.” The flip side of this is periods of groundless pessimism. Right now, the music industry is at the tail end of one of those periods.

Yet the business has been restructuring itself in insanely positive ways. Here are a few myths about today’s record business: [There follows another very insightful article on why not to believe all the spin about the state of the business -ED.][more @ www.laweekly.com]

Earlier this [last] week Register San Francisco bureau chief Andrew Orlowski spoke at the In the City convention in the UK, telling the cream of the music industry it’s never had it so good, that it’s been swindled by the technologists, and that it should dump DRM and embrace freedom.

As, to our knowledge, he got out alive, we think it’s possible they listened just a little. What follows is the text of his speech. [Some further reading: an inspiring and very savvy speech on how the music business is far from doomed if we embrace the future instead of fighting it. Read on. -ED.]
[more @ www.theregister.co.uk]

Pop star Cher has announced plans to try to break the world record for number of times one person has “retired” from the music business, by embarking on an ambitious plan to go on 7 more “farewell” tours over the next 3 years.

As of now, Cher, 72, has retired 44 times, and she hopes to have retired a grand total of 51 times by March of 2008, breaking by one the world record of 50 farewell tours set by the rock band Kiss. [more @ www.thespoof.com]

Executives at Atlantic Records announced Monday that multi-platinum recording artist Matchbox Twenty, which set sales records in 2000 for its mega-hit release Mad Season, has finally finished watering down tracks on its long-awaited new album Beige.

“Everyone here at Atlantic is thrilled about what’s sure to be the biggest-selling, least-rocking record of the year,” Atlantic public-relations spokeswoman Janet Cosgrove said. “It’s been a long wait, but the incredibly boring results speak for themselves. Beige is bigger and blander than anything Matchbox Twenty has ever done.”

“Grab a chair, America!” she added. “The most uninteresting band in formulaic, corporate radio is back!” [more @ www.theonion.com]

MustVote.com is a revolutionary project that will secure 100,000 new voters under 35 through a voter registration incentive program that offers free music downloads to MustVote members who register friends, family and neighbors to vote.

MustVote is giving away songs from the world’s biggest bands. To date Pearl Jam, Radiohead, The Von Bondies, The Sun, Bright Eyes, Meat Beat Manifesto, Talib Kweli and Lisa Loeb have signed onto the growing list of artists who have contributed tracks to MustVote.com to help change declining voter turnout among young people. [more @ www.hitsquad.com]

Chrysalis Radio launched its music2mobile range of branded content for mobile phones, which will be promoted online and in retail outlets.

The venture is being headed by Chrysalis Mobile, the division set up by the media and publishing group to capitalise on the growing area of mobile content.

Music2mobile content will be available through web and mobile Wap sites, but will principally comprise a range of branded products promoted directly through major high-street retail partners. [more @ www.revolution.com]

Grenada has been devastated by Hurricane Ivan. 90% of homes and buildings damaged or destroyed. Yes, you are right…we can help. Together, we invite you to donate your musical and artistic skills to generate funds, awareness and support.

The open idea: for you to give and receive simultaneously by making a donation to do the things you love. pick and mix from the following list :Open Deck, Open Screen, Open Wall, For Sale: Rice ‘n Peas. Everyone please bring 2 blank T-Shirts. We’ll explain on the night…

Thursday 30th September, Nama BarRestaurant, 245 Shaftesbury Ave, New Oxford Street end (Tottenham Court Road tube) 7pm – 12am, £5 donation

All funds raised on night donated to Grenada Disaster Relief Fund run by the Grenada Disaster Relief Commitee
To donate direct at any Lloyds TSB branch:
Grenada Disaster Relief Fund
Lloyds TSB
00584503
30-92-83

Any questions or want to assist, contact Phil on 07747 603 625 or soulove@boundless-sounds.
[My mother happens to live on Carriacou, a small dependant of Grenada and has no roof….so please give generously! -ED.]