| CMU Daily - on the inside 11 Aug 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Chart Update
• Billboard-American Urban Radio Networks 2003 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards show
• Review: Squire For Hire - Nathan Haines (Chillifunk)
• Latin Grammy nominees' visa problems
• One True Voice split shocker
• Sugbabes split rumour
• Jenny Lopez on telly like Britney
• Fame Academy downloads
• Damien Rice online
• Yousef and Steve Mac hook up 12"
• Audio Bullys at Tru-Fest
• Review: Shutterspeed - Koma and Bones (Thursday Club Recordings)
• Warp Compilation
• Past Breakin' Point
• DMC/Technics World Mixing Championship finals
• Jackass star instore
• Ninja Tune music video special
• Downmarket Damon Dash
• CMU Weather Update: Record Temperatures
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CHART UPDATE
Well, Blu and Sean Paul managed to hold off three high profile new entries this week to stay at number one in the singles chart. The aforementioned big news releases stacked up as follows: Ultrabeat with 'Pretty Green Eyes' goes in at 2, the Cheeky Girls' and their return track 'Hooray, Hooray' goes in at 3 while everyone's favourite former Take Thater and Celeb BB resident Mark Owen went in at 4 with 'Four Minute Warning'.
Other new releases of note – Elbow make a welcome arrival with 'Fallen Angel' at 19, likewise Layo & Bushwacka who go in at 25 with 'It's Up To You'.
Very little action albums wise (bar a new entry from Kraftwerk at 21) except to report that all that Robbie Knebworth hype must have achieved something with 'Escapology' jumping back up from 17 to the top spot.
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BILLBOARD-AMERICAN URBAN RADIO NETWORKS 2003 R&B/HIP-HOP AWARDS SHOW
With a record breaking ten nominations, 50 Cent was the man of the hour at the Billboard-American Urban Radio Networks 2003 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards show on Friday in Miami Beach, in the end netting four statuettes for top R&B/hip-hop artist; top R&B/hip-hop artist, male; top R&B/hip-hop artist, new; and top R&B/hip-hop singles and tracks artist.
R. Kelly and Eminem tied with three trophies each Kelly's 'Ignition' won top R&B/hip-hop singles and tracks and top R&B/hip-hop singles sales and he also won R&B/hip-hop songwriter of the year. 'The Eminem Show' got top R&B/hip-hop album and top rap album.
Unsurprisingly The Neptunes won the R&B/hip-hop producer of the year award.
Island Def Jam Music Group received the R&B/hip-hop major label of the year accolade, and Koch won for R&B/hip-hop independent label.
The Billboard awards use the word 'top' rather than 'best' in their award titles because the winners are chosen according to sales and airplay data from the last year rather than any public voting or judging panel.
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REVIEW: Squire For Hire - Nathan Haines (Chillifunk)
Kiwi sax player Haines returns to try and better his awesome 2001 'Sound Travels' LP. Produced again by Phil Asher, Haines is more experimental here – working with Marlena Shaw in the title track - more spoken word jazz groove - very self absorbed. 'O Misterio' is like the Haines/Asher of old: flute, sensual 4/4, lingering vocals - new jazz deluxe. Damon Albarn (credited as D2) adds the lyrics in 'FM', a Steely Dan cover from 25 years ago. 'U See That' is a nice Latino workout with the underrated breathy vocals of Vanessa Freeman, but better mixes exist. 'Doot Dude' is some average Streets style words from Lady Lil, and into true Smollensky's jazz in 'Oblivion' Haines shows he can sing in a bluesy number. Phil Asher's discofunk influence is patently obvious in 'Right by your Side' but the treat is 'The Last Dance' tantalising flute and sax over a futuristic Co-Op broken beat. Probably more of an accomplished work than 'Sound Travels' but lacks its spark - nevertheless well worth checking. PV
Release date: 8 Sep
Press Contact: FAVOURITIZM [all]
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LATIN GRAMMY NOMINEES VISA PROBLEMS
Cuban nominees for the forthcoming Latin Grammys may have to miss next month's awards ceremony in Miami because of visa problems. A US State Department spokeswoman last week confirmed: "We have not received any visa applications from Cuban citizen Grammy nominees in connection with the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony," leading the Miami Herald to report that at least three of the Cuban acts will not be able to attend at all because their visas will not be able to be processed in time.
Ibrahim Ferrer, of Buena Vista Social Club fame, Afro-Cuban jazz star Chucho Valdez and the salsa band Los Van Van are all said to be effected.
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ONE TRUE VOICE SPLIT SHOCKER
After eight months of problems, denials and rumours, One True Voice have finally broken up, less than nine months after they were 'created' and before their debut album hits the shops.
Created by ITV's Popstars: The Rivals, the group released two singles before lead singer Daniel Pearce quit. Although the remaining members said they would carry on tensions were obvious and, according to the News of the World, the final split came after bandmate Anton Gordon walked out saying: "It's all over. It's a nightmare I wanna forget."
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SUGABABES SPLIT RUMOUR
Talking of splits, rumour has it that the Sugababes are to call it a day. The reports follow the cancellation of their forthcoming UK tour last week. However a Sugababes spokesperson, insists that despite arguments, the trio will not be splitting.
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JENNY LOPEZ ON TELLY LIKE BRITNEY
A source close to Jennifer Lopez has said that the bird from the block is looking into getting on telly – albeit in a part time capacity. Word is J Lo is contemplating developing and producing a syndicated talk show. Lopez would not participate on a full-time basis, but would appear semi-regularly to lend her name to the show. No word on who would host the show full time, though Lopez is apparently keen to get her sister Lynda a regular slot . Sounds wicked.
It all sounds a bit like a venture announced by Britney Spears' last week. She is also planning a regular TV show which would include occasional video tape messages from Britney herself. Spears has yet to select a host, I must write to her and suggest Matt Schwimmer or Demi Moore. Someone suited to the format y'know.
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FAME ACADEMY DOWNLOADS
Oh joy, soon you will be able to download Fame Academy contestants' tracks for 99p each. If successful, the move will no doubt see producers Endemol and Polydor with big smiles on their faces (and much change in their pocket), and will no doubt re-ignite the row over the commercial exploitation of BBC programmes. Though a spokesman for Endemol said the company had taken great care to follow the BBC's editorial guidelines about on-air promotion.
In related news, Pop Idol and Fame Academy bosses said they were both happy with their ratings after Saturday night's head-to-head clash. The first show in the second series of Pop Idol, on ITV1, attracted an average of 5m viewers and had an average share of 35.4% of the viewing public. Fame Academy, on BBC1, said its average figure had gone up from 3.3m viewers last week, to 3.4m, a 26.6% share of the viewing public.
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DAMIEN RICE ONLINE
BMG online subsidiary BeMusic and Jack Rovner and Ken Levitan's Vector Recordings are joining forces to promote singer/songwriter Damien Rice to BMG Music Service club members through the company's Music Discovery Program.
A special live album, Live From the Union Chapel, is being made available for club members with select songs from Rice's February 2002 performance at London's Union Chapel. Approximately 200,000 club members will receive a complimentary copy of the live CD as part of a limited promotion to expose members to Rice's music. The CD contains eight live tracks and features original cover artwork from Rice (who also designed the innovative package accompanying his debut album O) and band member Lisa Hannigan.
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YOUSEF AND STEVE MAC HOOK UP 12"
Yousef and Steve Mac are to release a single together as the Drum Bums. 'Circus Parade' will be released on 13 Oct, on both Yousef's 'Carioca' label and Mac's 'Variation' - a debut for both imprints. The single, which has been bigged-up by Pete Tong, who has described it as 'loopy, techie disco', has also apparently been played by Darren Emerson, Roger Sanchez, Tim Deluxe, Paul Woolford and more. Yousef and Mac previously collaborated as the Drum Bums, releasing 'The Darkness/I Like That' on Mac's Dysfunctional label in 2001.
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AUDIO BULLYS AT TRU-FEST
TruFest have confirmed Audio Bullys as the latest addition to their line up for the London-based festival at Brick Lane's Old Truman Brewery, Sunday September 7.
The Bullys join a top notch line up which already includes London Elektricity, Mad Professor! Free*land (Adam Freeland's new live band), Soul ll Soul Sound System and Radioactive Man.
TruFest will take over one side of the infamous 11-acre Brewery site - giving them a capacity of around 3900. They will have various spaces around the building including the Boilerhouse (which houses the famous Truman chimney), the ground floor of Atlantis and 93 Feet East (the Brewery's only permanent club). The car park at the rear of the Brewery will house a 700-capacity open-ended marquee, hosted by Sunday Best.
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REVIEW: Shutterspeed - Koma and Bones (Thursday Club Recordings)
The Bones trio return with their second LP, from the heart of the Pennines. 'Take Me Back' opens the account with awesome Robert Owens on vocals with some soulful pacy breaks. Nice. Tracing into the mech sound with 'Donkey Spanner' and pumping 'Questo e Sporco'. From the tribal beats of 'Bootabang' to the slow electro brooding of 'Pusherman' it's a varied ride. 'Flip Flop' is a tribute to the breakdance/boogaloo beats era, which deplorably is only a skit, into 'Black Satsuma' hard breaks with an old school edge – really very good material. 'Basic Emotion' is a stormer – dark haunting vocals over some morphed B-line, perhaps the highlight, but too hard for chart success. TCR celebrate 10 years in the game and what a better way to put them properly on the map where they belong. Top Rack. PV
Release date: 8 Sep
Press Contact: Trailer Media [all]
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WARP COMPILATION
Warp today release a limited edition compilation called 'Warpmart Issue 1' featuing upcoming releases and exclusive tracks from the many independent labels sold through the Warpmart online emporium. The CD will be limited to 1,000 deluxe copies priced at just £3.99. The album is packaged in a full colour foldout super-DVD sized card sleeve, with each copy individually numbered. The album contains exclusive tracks from Fennesz, DMX Krew, Ardisson, Intricate, Si Cut db, The Gasman and Cassetteboy.
Tracklist:
Barrys Bootlegs - Cassetteboy: God Bless America
Mego - Yasunao Tone + Hecker:
Skam - Team Doyobi: Radial Fold
Breakin' - Dmx Krew: Blimp Beats (Remix) (Exclusive)
Seed - Ardisson : Problems Upstairs (Exclusive)
Planet Mu - The Gasman: Imodium (Exclusive)
Bip Hop - Si-Cut Db : The Academic Version (Exclusive)
M3rck - Adam Johnson : Traber
Spezial Material – Intricate : Efforts (Exclusive)
Massive Advance - Fujiya & Miyagi : Diagrams (Cristian Vogel Remix)
Schematic – Tipper: Dissolve (Out) (Phoenecia Remix)
Touch - Fennesz : Perlen Fur Euch (Exclusive)
Lex – Boom Bip: Closed Shoulders (Remix By Clouddead)
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PAST BREAKIN POINT
There are reports that drum & bass, breaks and hip hop mag 'Breakin Point' has folded. The mag that began life as an A5 fanzine distributed through venues had become a fully fledged news stand title in the last year – but all the usual pressures on media owners proved too much. This news means there are now only two genre specific magazines left for drum and bass - Knowledge and ATM.
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DMC/TECHNICS WORLD MIXING CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
An update on preparations for the DMC World DJ Championship which take place at Brixton Academy (13-14 Sep). Two of the twelve international DJs are already selected – DJ Quest for the UK and DJ Gero for France. DJ Quest says he is confident of bringing the World Title back to the UK for the first time since Plus One won in 2001, though there is strong competition – especially from hotly tipped Canadian M-Rock who is likely to be competing.
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JACKASS STAR INSTORE
To promote both the releases of 'Jackass' and 'CKY' on DVD, Bam Margera will be signing copies of 'Jackass' and 'CKY Trilogy Round 1' at HMV Oxford Circus this Wednesday at 4pm. Press info from Caroline at Outside.
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NINJA TUNE MUSIC VIDEO SPECIAL
Ninja Tune have been telling us about the preview of their new DVD compilation which will be taking place at the Edinburgh Film Festival on 21 Aug.
They say: "Like many other independents we don't often get the opportunities on commercial television so show our contributions to the music video world. The screening is a very early preview of just some of the music videos to be included in our first label compilation DVD dedicated to our music video catalogue, past, present and future. Plus there will be special guest panelists as they attempt to shed some light on the underground world of the music video as they know it."
Guest Panelists include Funki Porcini (Musician and Video Director), Conkerco (New Video Directors, Bonobo), Vez (Ninja Tune Head of Music Video). Press info from Vez at Ninja.
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DOWNMARKET DAMON DASH
Roc-A-Feller Records co-founder Damon Dash suffered a blow to his lacrosse playing ego last week, after being told by the men's sportswear manager at Fred Segal that the upscale store doesn't carry Dash's Rocawear line because it's readily available at other, "less upscale" stores, and that Rocawear is "too urban."
According to an eyewitness, Dash publicly criticised the manager for not being sufficiently hip to what is "street" and "hip-hop," concluding the harangue with, "You're just a store manager. I run a corporation." Dash reportedly then threatened to put out a record trashing the retailer."
Like anyone who shops in Fred Segal will ever have heard of Jay Z.
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CMU WEATHER UPDATE: RECORD TEMPERATURES
Yesterday's heat melted my 'Slippery When Wet' LP into an unplayable L-shape because I left it propped up against the wall in front of the window. If anyone has a copy of Bon Jovi's third album for sale, do let me know.