Santogold Announces First Headlining US Tour
MySpace Music Presents the Goldrush Tour, Kicking off September 19 in NYC
Hot on the heels of her critical and commercial smash debut album, Santogold is announcing her first headlining US tour, the Goldrush Tour presented by MySpace Music. Santogold, AKA Santi White, just finished a string of North American arena dates with Coldplay. She will be performing with a full live band and dj, which she recently debuted on MTV 's "F'NMTV Premieres", in order to bring the album's innovative genre-defying sound to stages across the coutnry Downtown/Lizard King released Santogold's self-titled breakthrough CD in April and it instantly became one of 2008's most acclaimed albums garnering international raves. Critics and radio have championed the record's standout singles "L.E.S. Artistes", "Creator" and "Lights Out."
Santogold [ album ] »
Santogold at myspace.com »

Wayne Brady Releases Debut Album
MULTI-FACETED ENTERTAINER WAYNE BRADY RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM
PEAK SET INCLUDES FIRST SINGLE, ‘ORDINARY” 
Los Angeles, CA - On September 16, 2008 Peak Records/Concord Music Group will release Wayne Brady’s debut album, the appropriately titled - A Long Time Coming.
The Emmy Award winner is the consummate entertainer, whose talent truly knows no boundaries. As a stage, screen and live performer Brady is unparalleled.
But now, he turns his attention to his first love: music. The 12-track R&B collection features Brady’s own compositions standing side by side with his loving, inspired reinventions of such classics as Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come,” The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” and Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do.” “I always thought that Wayne Brady was an amazingly talented performer with an incredible voice,” says Andi Howard, president of Peak Records. “When asked by his producers if I would be interested in signing him as an artist to Peak my response was an emphatic, yes. Not only did he deliver a fabulous album, but an album that is extremely heartfelt and exceeded all expectations. It was indeed ‘A Long Time Coming.’”
Brady linked with The Heavyweights, the superstar production team composed of Jack Kugell, Jamie Jones and Jason Pennock, to write and record the album. The Heavyweights’ productions have sold more than 28 million albums and include work with such superstars as Jim Brickman, Martina McBride and Destiny’s Child.
First single, “Ordinary,” is a mid-tempo burner that pays tribute to the glorious simplicity found in every day life and love. Penned by the Heavyweights, Sarah Nagourney and Welford B. Walton II, the song is enhanced by Brady’s nuanced, soulful delivery.
Brady’s talent is too big to contain to any one format. He’s currently starring in his own Las Vegas show, “Making It Up,” which runs Thursday-Monday at the Venetian Hotel. The revue highlights his legendary music, dance and improv skills, for which he won an Emmy while appearing on “Whose Line is it Anyway?”
Brady, who also garnered two Emmys as outstanding talk show host for his self-titled syndicated talk show, will return to TV as host of Fox’s hit show, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” this fall. Additionally, Brady has also appeared as Neil Patrick Harris’s gay brother on “How I Met Your Mother,” and Tina Fey’s bad-luck boyfriend on “30 Rock.”
Wayne Brady - A Long Time Coming »
Wayne Brady - Web site »
The Venetian Hotel and Casino »

“MAKING THE BAND 4” IS BACK AND ON FIRE!
SEASON PREMIERE TUESDAY, AUGUST 19TH AT 9PM ET/PT
“Making The Band’s Greatest Hits” Hosted by Aubrey from Danity Kane, Donnie Klang and Robert from Day26 and on Tuesday, August 12th at 9pm ET/PT
New York, New York –August 07, 2008 – Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the greatest show on earth. Forget about “bitch a$$ness!” Diddy returns to MTV with his three musical sensations Danity Kane, Donnie Klang and Day26 armed and ready for another exciting new season of MTV’s “Making The Band 4” premiering on its brand new night and time on Tuesday, August 19th at 9pm ET/PT. Fans can get ready for the season on Tuesday, August 12th at 9pm ET/PT with “Making The Band’s Greatest Hits” hosted by Aubrey from Danity Kane, solo artist Donnie Klang and Robert from Day26. During this special they will take viewers through some of the greatest moments from past seasons of “Making the Band” including a sneak peek at some of the excitement and drama that’s ahead in the new season.
Coming off of one of the series’ highest rated seasons, which reached over 55.1 million viewers, this brand new season continues to chronicle the journey of platinum artists Danity Kane, solo artist Donnie Klang and rising stars Day26. The MTV cameras were right there to capture Que, Robert, Brian, Mike and Willie from Day26 and solo artist Donnie Klang as they set off on their first promo tour this summer with label mates Dawn, Aubrey, Shannon, Aundrea and D. Woods from Danity Kane. Fans will continue to see the relationships with the guys and girls develop while on the road and watch them work and live together and ultimately compete for the top spot in the music business.  Of course Diddy will be there to further challenge, guide and teach them everything they need to know to be successful artists.  This new season will be loaded with many surprises, amazing new music and much more of what “Making The Band” fans enjoy…intensity and lots of drama!
Full episodes of “Making The Band 4” will be available on MTV.com’s premium player the day after premiere and on MTV Mobile through all of its wireless carrier distribution partners. MTV.com will be the exclusive go to place for fans to view rehearsal and backstage footage of Danity Kane, Day26 and Donnie Klang from their recent “Making The Band” concert tour. Fans can get more connected with the cast at www.makingtheband.mtv.com with exclusive trailers, concert photos and cast bios. They can go to MTV Mobile’s WAP site at M.MTV.com to get photos, ringtones, weekly polls, cast bios, episode guides and detailed information on show airings. Viewers can also get personal with the cast through “Making The Band” embedded widgets where they will be able to countdown to the newest episodes, view the latest photos and videos and access cast blogs.
Since their very early start on the series, Danity Kane’s success has only grown as their sophomore album Welcome To The Dollhouse debuted at #1 on SoundScan/Billboard 200 album chart and is now certified gold.  This marks the group’s second consecutive #1 chart entry – following their 2006 self-titled debut – which gives them the distinction of being the first female group in Billboard chart history to have both their debut and sophomore albums enter the main album chart at #1. And their platinum selling first single “Damaged” continuing to be one of this year’s summer anthems, Danity Kane has proven that they have what it takes to stay on top. Label mates Day26 also proved that they deserve to be in the game with the success of their self-titled first album which also debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in its first week.  Solo artist Donnie Klang is poised for success with his eagerly anticipated first album Just A Rolling Stone set to be released on September 2nd.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, Ted Iredell and Perry Dance serve as executive producers. Jacquelyn French is the MTV executive overseeing 'The Making The Band' franchise. Francesca Spero is Producer for Bad Boy Entertainment. [ read more ] »
Making The Band 4 | MTV - Web site »

Alyssa Graham Unearths Hidden Billie Holiday Gem On 'Echo'
First Recording of Lost Holiday Track "Involved Again"
On 'Echo', (Sunnyside, July 29), vocalist Alyssa Graham proves fearless, putting original works alongside songs by the likes of Paul Simon and Sting. But one of the most notable tracks on the album has to be "Involved Again," a tune that might have become one of Billie Holiday's greatest hits had the jazz legend lived to record it. When Holiday passed away in 1959, "Involved Again" was slated for release on her next album. Saddened at the loss of the singer and her extraordinary voice, the tune's composer, Jack Reardon (who also wrote "The Good Life"), shelved it and moved on, certain that no one "could do it justice afterward." Nearly 50 years later, though, Reardon heard a voice so sweet, so sensuous, that he knew the song could finally come to life the way he had once envisioned it. That voice belonged to Alyssa Graham. Despite its age, or perhaps because of it, "Involved Again" seems to float along, completely disconnected from time. Album producer Jon Cowherd's tumultuous piano lines recall the smoke-filled jazz clubs of a bygone era, but there is something distinctly modern about Cowherd's arrangement and the intimacy of Graham's delivery. The story of a jilted lover who swore she'd never let herself fall in love again, the track has a simple elegance about it, a calm and collected style and grace just barely concealing the bubbling well of passion below. It's the perfect centerpiece for 'Echo,' Graham's stunning new album of love and loss, and a fitting tribute to the late Billie Holiday that Graham should carry on her torch with such splendor.
Echo by Alyssa Graham [ album ] »
Visit Alyssa and her tracks from 'Echo' on MySpace »

"ARTIST OF THE YEAR" STUNS WITH HEADLINING SHOWS AT MAJOR JAZZ FESTS
On June 26th, Herbie Hancock will perform selections from his GRAMMY Award winning Album of the Year 'River: The Joni Letters' on the new season of Sundance Channel's acclaimed original music series 'Live From Abbey Road.' Corrine Bailey Rae will join the legendary jazz musician for their only live performance to date of the album's title track "River." Hancock also recruited talented young singer Sonya Kitchell, who is performing with him on tour this spring and summer, as well as the world-class musicians Wayne Shorter and Vinnie Colaiuta to accompany him for the session.
Tune in June 26th at 10pm to sample some of the "ceaselessly eclectic set" (Daily Variety, 6.16.08) Hancock's performing on the road. Watch "River" from 'Live From Abbey Road' here. Critical praise continues for Herbie Hancock; now for his 'River of Possibilities ' tour which included a performance at the Playboy Jazz Fest last week and at Carnegie Hall as part of the JVC Jazz Fest this Monday, June 23rd. Hancock's "intimate reinvention" (NY Times, 9.9.07) of Joni Mitchell songs, 'River: The Joni Letters' (Verve) garnered two GRAMMY awards this year including the prestigious Album of the Year prize. Also, this week the Jazz Journalists Association named Hancock Artist of the Year.
The Joni Letters by Herbie Hancock [ album ] »
Watch "River" from 'Live From Abbey Road' »
Sundance Channel - web site »

USHER STANDS TALL “HERE I STAND” IS THE #1 ALBUM IN THE COUNTRY
New York, NY – LaFace/Zomba recording artist Usher debuts at No. 1 on SoundScan's Pop and R&B Albums charts with his fifth studio album, Here I Stand. This is the highest debut of the year for a male artist. Here I Stand is the Atlanta-based singer's second No. 1 debut on the Top 200 Albums chart and his third No. 1 debut on the R&B Albums chart. This week Usher dominates international charts as well, bowing at No. 1 in Canada, Japan (International Chart), Australia, and for the third time in a row, debuts at No. 1 on the UK Albums chart. Additionally, Here I Stand enters Top 5 on album charts in Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Fans and critics have praised the singer/songwriter's newest effort: The New York Times declares, “Usher knows what works in the suave come-ons that have made him the male R&B sex symbol for a generation;” Entertainment Weekly raves, “…Stand’s tunes deserve a place in the dance-floor pantheon;” The Los Angeles Times observes, “… [Here I Stand] a more accomplished version of “Confessions,” the hooks more effortless, the singing even better, the songwriting more consistent.” Usher’s latest certified hit, “Love In This Club” featuring Young Jeezy, has remained a Top 10 staple on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart for 14 consecutive weeks and has sold close to 3 million digital units (digital singles, ringtones and ringbacks) to date. The poignant follow-up single, “Moving Mountains” is rapidly climbing the singles charts and the riveting video, filled with breath-taking special effects, recently debuted on MTV and BET.
Here I Stand [ album ] »
Usher World - web site »

SRC RECORDS ANNOUNCES “THA CROW” AS THE WINNER OF LOUD.COM’S $100,000 ONLINE RAP BATTLE CONTEST
LOUD.com capitalizes on the success of its online rap battle with the announcement of new dual contest for aspiring MCs and Producers
NEW YORK – (June 2, 2008) SRC Records CEO, Steve Rifkind today announced Tha Crow as the winner of LOUD.com’s (www.loud.com) online rap-battle music competition. The California native will receive $100,000 along with a SRC/Universal recording contract. After beating out thousands of contestants, through 30 rounds, where over 20,000 music tracks were submitted, nine top finalists competed through a cycle of challenges during the online web series, “The Finalists”, in which Tha Crow was crowned the winner. Now having been selected the winner, SRC Records will begin the marketing and promotion process in an effort to make him hip-hop’s next star.
“We are looking for LOUD.com to become a one-stop shop for maneuvering though the music industry”, explains SRC CEO Steve Rifkind. “Our goal for the site is to become the number one resource for aspiring recording artists and producers to gain access to the music industry, to introduce new music to consumers and to find new talent.”
With over 100,000 registered users, LOUD.com is building a dedicated community of music enthusiasts that include producers, aspiring lyricists and music fans. LOUD.com marketing executives have decided to capitalize on the growing support by creating a second competition to start July 1st. The 20 week competition will go through fewer rounds (10) and pair artists with aspiring producers. The dual contest will add a $25,000 cash prize and a SRC/Universal Records production deal, in addition to the $100,000 cash prize and record deal for the registered MC’s.
Users will be able to upload original music to the LOUD.com website, a feature restricted from the previous competition. At the end of the 20 weeks, a producer winner will be chosen, along with 10 rapper finalists who will go through a set of challenges embodied into the webisode series, The Finalists: Season 2. The final winner will be announced in November. [ read more ] »
Loud.com web site »
SRC web site »

COLDPLAY'S "VIOLET HILL" VIDEO RECEIVES FIRST-EVER SIMULTANEOUS PREMIERE ON MTV, VH1 AND THE N
Grammy-Winning Band Will Perform At 2008 MTV Movie Awards On June 1st; New Album, Viva La Vida, Due Out June 17th
Coldplay's video for "Violet Hill," the first single from the band's upcoming album, Viva La Vida, has been added to the highest rotations at MTV (Big 10), VH1 (large), MTV2 (Elite 8), mtvU (summa cum laude) and MTV Hits (Power). It will be the first video ever to receive a simultaneous premiere on MTV, VH1 and The N. Lensed by acclaimed director/visual artist Asa Mader, "Violet Hill" premieres on VH1, MTV2, MTV Hits, mtvU, MTV Tr3s and The N on Monday, May 19th, and on MTV's "TRL" on Wednesday, May 21st
The band will perform "Violet Hill" at the "2008 MTV Movie Awards," which airs live on June 1st at 8:00pm/7c from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA. The single - called a "must have" by Rolling Stone - was downloaded by two million people during the recent one-week period in which Coldplay made the song available to fans for free.
Viva La Vida, the follow-up to 2005's X&Y, which debuted at #1 in 32 countries and has sold 10 million copies worldwide, will be released on June 17th. The band will play free concerts in London (June 16th at the Brixton Academy) and New York (June 23rd at Madison Square Garden). [ read more ] »
Violet Hill [ mtv.com ] »
mtv.com web site »

Jason Miles and DJ Logic Join Forces to Obliterate Borders on New Shanachie CD Global Noize
All-Star CD Serves Up An Intoxicating Brew of Jazz, Electronica Funk and World Music Featuring Some of Music's Most Creative Players: Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin (Medeski, Marin & Wood) , Vernon Reid (Living Colour), John Popper (Blues Traveler) Cyro Baptista (Herbie Hancock), Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, Parliament Funk), Karl Denson (Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Lenny Kravtiz), Christian Scott & Others ... [ read more ] »
Quero Dancar [ streaming audio ] »
A Jam For Joe [ streaming audio ] »

Droppin' Science In Stores 2/12 Blue Note Records
On February 12, Blue Note Records will release Droppin’ Science, a unique collection of the legendary label’s classic late 60s through mid-70s jazz-funk tracks, all of which have featured prominently as samples in some of the greatest hip hop cuts of the late 80s, 90s and beyond. Hip hop artists ranging from Dr. Dre to the Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest have sampled Blue Note grooves by such jazz greats as Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Donald Byrd, and Lonnie Smith. All of these original Blue Note tracks have been compiled for the first time on Droppin’ Science, which Blue Note will release as a 10-track CD, a 13-track digital album and vinyl LP, as well as individual ring-tunes that are based on the exact sampled loop. [ read more at amazon.com ] »
Blue Note Records Official site »

Lenny Kravitz Announces IT IS TIME FOR A LOVE REVOLUTION
New album set to hit stores February 5, 2008
NEW YORK, NY (January 4, 2008)
Lenny Kravitz says it's time for a revolution and he is launching a musical movement to do just that with the release of his 8th studio album on February 5, 2008. The album, entitled It Is Time For A Love Revolution (Virgin Records America), is Kravitz's first new release in over three years; the record is a thunderous rock 'n roll call-to-arms, featuring a universal blend of soul, funk, and jazz grooves and the undeniably anthemic lyricism that's been his trademark from day one. "I love this record and the feel of the record," Lenny Kravitz said of the release. "I felt like a kid playing in my bedroom, and that's the most important thing you can tap into, that feeling of being free." That freedom is the fire inside It Is Time For A Love Revolution, which is sonically and spiritually as vibrant as Kravitz's debut album, Let Love Rule. Regarded as one of the great rock musicians of our time, Lenny Kravitz has achieved tremendous critical acclaim and commercial success with a succession of groundbreaking album releases, multiple # 1 singles on the Billboard Top Singles charts and an unparalleled collection of awards from throughout his career, including GRAMMYs, American Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. Written and recorded over the course of the last year in various locations from New York to Miami, Paris, the Bahamas and Brazil, It Is Time For A Love Revolution holds up as one of the Kravitz's best albums with its raucous rock 'n roll jams, heavy drums, tight hip-shaking grooves, frenetic guitars and Kravitz's unmistakable croon. Featuring 14 new songs, the album once again finds the multi-instrumentalist writing, producing, arranging and playing all the tracks on the album, which he has done on all of his releases throughout his career. As the album title indicates, Kravitz sings songs of love and spiritual revolution, calling on people to open up and let love in their hearts. He also isn't afraid to get political, using his music to draw attention to the current US war in Iraq and the Vietnam era. From the above mentioned singles "Bring It On" and "I'll Be Waiting," as well as "Love, Love, Love," "Dancin' Til Dawn," and "I Want To Go Home," It Is Time For A Love Revolution represents the characteristics that has made Kravitz a vital musician for 18 years. Kravitz helped bring in 2008 with an exciting live performance from Times Square of two songs during NBC's world famous New Years Eve with Carson Daly and he plans to tour behind It Is Time For A Love Revolution for two years after its release [ read more ] »
Lenny Kravitz Official site »

MTV’S MAKING THE BAND RETURNS WITH THREE NEW ALBUMS FROM THE SERIES’ STARS
NEW SINGLES FROM DANITY KANE AND MTB4 FINALISTS ARRIVE AT ONLINE RETAILERS TOMORROW; FULL-LENGTH COLLECTIONS TO FOLLOW IN MARCH
Bad Boy Records has announced the upcoming release of three new albums from the stars of the hit MTV reality series, Making The Band. The news comes as the highly rated series kicks off its latest season, beginning tonight, January 28th at 10pm ET/PT (check local listings).
Making The Band 4, Season 2 will feature previous MTB sensations Danity Kane, along with last year’s as-yet-unnamed quintet and additional MTB4 finalist Donnie Klang. The upcoming season will see all three acts living together as they work to complete new albums, which will then be released in the weeks to follow. The releases kick off on March 11th, with the arrival the MTB4 quintet’s hotly anticipated debut album. The following week will see Danity Kane rolling out their eagerly awaited second album, due in stores on March 18th. Finally, Klang is set to unveil his currently in-the-works debut later this spring. All three collections are Executive Produced by Bad Boy CEO Sean “Diddy” Combs and Bad Boy Entertainment president Harve Pierre. The albums will be heralded with two brand-new singles from Danity Kane and the MTB4 quintet, both set to drop at all online retailers on Tuesday, January 29th - the day after the season premiere. Danity Kane’s “Damaged” sees the RIAA platinum-certified girl group joining forces with the up-and-coming production team, Stereotypes, known for their hit collaborations with such artists as Cupid, Ne-Yo, and Omarion. “Got Me Going,” the second single from the talented MTB4 performers, was produced by the one-and-only Mario Winans, a longtime Bad Boy family member, famed for his work with Diddy and The Notorious B.I.G., not to mention Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, and countless others.
[ read more ] »
Making The Band 4 | MTV - Web site »

IveGotBeats.com Crafts Online Music Auction
IveGotBeats.com launches the Beat XChange allowing producers to sell their music online to artists, auction style.
New York, NY - January 24, 2008
From Wall Street to Watts, the digital curve is revolutionizing the landscape of the music industry. In a climate of slumping compact disc sales and rising digital sales, one web site is poised to lead the digital renaissance.
The Beat XChange has positioned itself to alleviate the traditional record label A&R process by directly connecting the artist and the producer. This cutting edge web site is making it simple for artists and producers all over the world to collaborate with each other right from the comfort of their own computer. The Beat XChange is the premier online beat auction allowing producers to place their original beats/tracks/compositions online for artists to hear and place bids on. Much in the same fashion as e-bay, the auction floor is opened for artists to place bids until an offer is accepted by the producer. Gerald Olivari, said "Recognizing the impact that technology such as pro tools and social music networking websites have had on the industry, we decided that it was the perfect time to introduce this service." The Beat XChange is the world's best online beat auction. Begin collaborating now! [ read more ] »
IveGotBeats Web site »

NEW JOHN LEGEND ALBUM, "LIVE FROM PHILADELPHIA," AVAILABLE AS INDIVIDUAL CD & IN DELUXE CD/DVD PACKAGE, EXCLUSIVELY AT TARGET ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2008.
(New York - January 14, 2008; source: G.O.O.D./Columbia Records)
Live From Philadelphia -- the new concert album from multi-platinum Grammy-winning recording artist John Legend -- will be available as an individual CD and in a CD/DVD combination package exclusively at Target and Target.com on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. Fans may pre-order the CD and CD/DVD combination package online at www.Target.com/music beginning Sunday, December 16, 2007. The artist's first new album since his 2006's #1 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart-topping platinum release Once Again, Live From Philadelphia captures the on-stage artistry, magic and chemistry which electrified audiences lucky enough to catch a concert on John's critically-acclaimed SRO 2007 world concert series, "The Show Me Tour." John Legend's Live From Philadelphia CD showcases 19 new songs including John's new hits "Slow Dance" and "Where's The Love" featuring a duet with Corinne Bailey Rae. Also featured are live versions of John Legend hits like the Grammy-winning "Ordinary People" and "Heaven." Additional in-concert exclusives include show-stopping covers of Sly & the Family Stone's "Dance To The Music," the Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and much more. The deluxe CD/DVD Live From Philadelphia combination package includes the concert CD as well as a 30 minute DVD premiering excerpts of sizzling concert footage, the "Show Me" and "Another Again" music videos, and a revelatory exclusive interview with John. [ read more at Target.com ] »
John Legend's Official Website on Columbia Records »