THE MAKING OF 'SOUL MEN' SOUNDTRACK

When award winning writer/producer Frank Fitzpatrick was asked to create a classic hit representing the signature Memphis Soul era for Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac to sing in their upcoming film, he knew exactly what to do. Soul Men director Malcolm D. Lee needed a song that sounded like it could have been the Real Deal's (the film's fictitious band featuring Jackson, Mac and Grammy-winning John Legend) number one song from the height of their career - 1969. In a line up of unforgettable classics like I'm Your Puppet, Memphis Train (Rufus Thomas), Do Your Thing (Isaac Hayes), Soul Dressing (Booker T & the MG's) and I Take What I Want (Sam & Dave), the request might have been a tall order.

But Malcolm loved the song and the filmmakers decided to make Soul Music the title track. Fitzpatrick then brought in six-time Grammy nominated Anthony Hamilton to record the song for the film and for the first single off the soundtrack album on Concord/Stax Records. "I really felt Anthony was the perfect artist to bring that classic feel and still give an original voice to the song. I had wanted to work with Anthony for some time, so this was the perfect opportunity. He is a great artist and a beautiful human being," commented Fitzpatrick. The song was recorded in Memphis to uphold the integrity of the era and the sound of the older Stax classics. Fitzpatrick produced a second version of the song, featuring members of his old band Hidden Faces, for the film's Main Title sequence. The single featuring Hamilton closes the film, accompanying a tribute to Bernie Mac.

The story is not all happy endings, as the film also marks the last performances by entertainment icons Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes, who passed away unexpectedly just one day apart from each other in early August. "We were all shocked to learn of their passing. Isaac had a profound musical influence on me and I have truly fond memories of working with Bernie on prior films -- both were inspiring entertainers and amazing people. I feel honored to have been part of the film and to have had the opportunity to pay homage to the music we all loved and shared," said Fitzpatrick, who joined co-star Samuel L. Jackson and director Malcolm D. Lee, along with many others, to pay tribute to Mac and Hayes at the Apollo Theater, where the film premiered on October 28th.

Soul Men will be released nationwide November 7, 2008 (Dimension Films/MGM). The soundtrack, featuring additional music from Isaac Hayes, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, will be released November 4th (Concord/Stax Records). Other mixes of Soul Music, including an "Old School Mash Up" are available exclusively on iTunes . For more information click to http://www.frankfitzpatrick.com/.

GLORIA GAYNOR - CHRISTMAS PRESENCE

Gloria Gaynor, long known as a source of inspiration for her hit single "I Will Survive," has released a Christmas album entitled "Christmas Presence," just in time for the holiday season. The CD includes many traditional holiday songs such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Frosty the Snowman and O Holy Night.

Gaynor has also recorded a touching original song, Christmas Prayer, which is her tribute to American military men and women. "Though it's important to keep our troops in our thoughts and prayers all year long, Christmas is a time when we are able to express that even more," said Gaynor, "and I'm so happy to include Christmas Prayer on my new album."

This coming year, Gaynor is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the release of "I Will Survive." A veteran of the music industry, Gaynor signed her first record contract at the age of nineteen and has been entertaining audiences with her music ever since. In 1973, Gloria made history as Billboard gave birth to the Disco Action Charts and Never Can Say Good-Bye bowed at #1 on the charts and became the first dance song to reach #1 status in dance music. Gloria continued to set the standard when, in March of 2001, her single Just Keep Thinkin' About You topped the Billboard Dance/Club charts at #1, while her international hit Last Night debuted at #1 throughout Europe.

In September 2002, Logic Records/BMG released the highly anticipated U.S. album "I Wish You Love." This was her first worldwide release in 15 years and it delivered four #1 dance singles on Billboard's Dance Charts as well as her first top ten hit, I Never Knew, on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Charts. She also recorded a new live version of I Will Survive in Spanglish, recorded in Brazil.

With many hits and a successful international music career, Gaynor's popularity continues to flourish. In 2001 she was honored at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo with the coveted "Legend" award presented by long-time fan Prince Albert. In 2005, Gloria, along with her hit song I Will Survive, was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. She made a splash on Broadway in "Smokey Joe's Café," the longest-running musical revue, and has been a guest star on such popular programs as "That '70's Show" and "Ally McBeal," introducing her to a whole new generation of fans.

I Will Survive continues to be a theme of survival, encouragement, and steadfast strength not only for Gaynor, but for several generations of music fans. In addition to releasing her new album, Gaynor keeps busy by lending her support to numerous charities, ranging from the likes of The Rita Hayworth Gala for Alzheimer's to Revlon's Annual Run/Walk for Life.
In January 2009, Gloria will kick off her symphony tour with the Houston Symphony. More details to come.

"Christmas Presence" is available from Koch Records, available in retail stores nationwide, as well as iTunes, Amazon and Gloria Gaynor's personal website: http://www.gloriagaynor.com/.

SUSAN TEDESCHI - BACK TO THE RIVER TOUR DATES

Susan Tedeschi has released her latest CD – Back To The River, available on the Verve label. And has embarked on a whirlwind tour in support of the album. Tour dates are below:

Nov. 6 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Sandler Center for Performing Arts
Nov. 7 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
Nov. 8 – Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
Nov. 11 – West Hartford, CT @ University of Hartford – Lincoln Center
Nov. 12 – New York, NY @ The Fillmore NY Irving Plaza
Nov. 14 – Albany, NY @ Hart Theater
Nov. 15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Byham Theatre
Nov. 16 – Alexandra, VA @ Birchmere
Nov. 18 – Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
Nov. 20 – Chicago, IL @ Park West
Nov. 21 – Minneapolis, MN @ Pantages Theatre
Nov. 22 – Madison, WI @ Barrymore Theatre
Nov. 24 – Indianpolis, IN @ Vogue Theatre
Nov. 25 – Louisville, KY @ Brown Theatre
Nov. 26 – Milwaukee, WI @ Northern Lights Theatre
Dec. 27 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre
Dec. 28 – Pompano Beach, FL @ Pompano Beach Amphitheatre
Dec. 29 – Tampa, FL @ Tampa Theatre
Dec. 31 – Atlanta, GA @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Jan. 24 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre

JOHN LEGEND - EVOLVER & CBS PROMOS

John Legends got another new album, EVOLVER, slated for release on Tuesday, October 28, and the multi-platinum-selling multiple-Grammy-winning artist has joined forces with CBS Television Network to help launch the album. Legend has given "Green Light," the album's first single, to CBS for use in the network's upcoming fall lineup promotional campaign, "The Biggest November Ever is Ready to Go on CBS," while a variety of tracks from EVOLVER will be heard during CBS daytime and prime time programming on October 28 and 30. In addition,, John Legend will also make appearances on CBS's morning news and late night programming.

The CBS on-air promo spots will feature shots from John's "Green Light" music video intermixed with images from the network's hit dramas, comedy and reality programs. Scheduled to launch Monday, October 27, "The Biggest November Ever" campaign will be broadcast nationally on the CBS Television Network as well as through local affiliates. John's "No Other Love" will be heard in the October 28 episode of "NCIS," Tuesday's #1 rated program and ranked #3 among all primetime shows. On October 30, CBS is also featuring John's new song "Cross the Line" on "The Young and the Restless," the top rated daytime drama for nearly 20 straight years. In addition to the CBS-sponsored opportunities, John Legend has been separately booked for appearances on the CBS shows "The Early Show" on October 28 followed by a performance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on October 30.

John Legend - 2008 Tour Dates
11/19 - Minneapolis, MN @ Northrop Auditorium
11/20 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
11/24 - E. Lansing, MI @ Wharton Center For Performing Arts
11/26 - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre
11/28 - Toronto, Ont @ Roy Thompson Hall
11/29 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
12/1- Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
12/2- Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
12/5 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theater
12/8 - Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Theatre
12/9 - Washington, DC @ Constitution Hall
12/10 - Greenville, SC @ Peace Center
12/12 - Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
12/13 - Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center

http://www.johnlegend.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnlegend
http://www.johnlegendnetwork.com/
http://www.showmecampaign.org/

http://www.columbiarecords.com/

THE NOVEMBER CONCERT LISTINGS

Herbie Hancock @ Teatro Maestranza, Seville, Spain, Nov 1
Herbie Hancock @ Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland, Nov 2
Dave Koz Cruise w/ Dave Koz, Eric Benet, Alonzo Bodden, Jonathan Butler, George Duke, Candy Dulfer, Jeff Golub, Deniece Williams, Tower Of Power, Brian Simpson, U-Nam, Najee, Arlington Jones @ Ft Lauderdale to Samana, St. Thomas, St. Barths & Half Moon Cay, Nov 2-9
Richie Havens @ Hamilton Place, Hamilton, Canada, Nov 3
Louis Vega @ Hudson, New York, NY, Nov 3
Richie Havens @ Centennial Hall, London, Canada, Nov 4
Herbie Hancock @ Elizabeth Hall, Antwerp, Belgium, Nov 5
Anthony Hamilton @ House Of Blues, Chicago, IL, Nov 5
Marcus Johnson @ Holiday Inn, Washington, DC, Nov 6
Louis Vega, Anane @ The Delano, Miami Beach, FL, Nov 6
Regina Belle, Black Ivory, Norman Connors, Michael Henderson, Kenny Latimore, Phil Perry, Ray, Goodman & Brown, The Manhattans @ The Apollo Theatre, New York, NY, Nov 6
Richie Havens @ Pantages Playhouse Theatre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA, Nov 6
Marcus Johnson @ Nineteenth St Baptist Church, Washington, DC, Nov 7
Anthony Hamilton @ Epic Event Center, Minneapolis, MN, Nov 7
Gerald Alston, The Manhattans @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Nov 7-9
Susan Tedeschi @ Lincoln Theatre, West Hartford, CT, Nov 8
Lalah Hathaway @ Dimcock Center, Boston, MA, Nov 8
Conya Doss @ Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH, Nov 8
Richie Havens @ Northern Alberta Jubilee, Edmonton, Alberta, CA, Nov 9
Mavis Staples @ B.B. Kings, New York, NY, Nov 9
Anthony Hamilton @ House Of Blues, St. Louis, MO, Nov 9
David Byrne @ The Birchmere, Washington, DC, Nov 9
Susan Tedeschi @ Berklee Performance Center Of Boston, Boston, MA, Nov 11
Anthony Hamilton @ House Of Blues, Cleveland, OH, Nov 11
Herbie Hancock @ Tripod Theatre, Dublin, Ireland, Nov 11-12
Richie Havens @ Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, CA, Nov 12
Susan Tedeschi @ The Fillmore At Irving Plaza, New York, NY, Nov 12
Marcus Johnson @ Washington Times Arbor Ballroom, Washington, DC, Nov 12
Marcus Johnson @ Holiday Inn, Washington, DC, Nov 13
Anthony Hamilton @ Lincoln Theater, Washington, DC, Nov 13
Richie Havens @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, CA, Nov 13
Mindi Abair @ Meyer Theatre, Green Bay, WI, Nov 13
Mindi Abair @ Millenium Centre, Southfiedl, MI, Nov 14
Anthony Hamilton @ Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA, Nov 14
Marcus Johnson @ Café 611, Frederick, MD, Nov 14
Herbie Hancock @ Sage Theatre, Gatehead, UK, Nov 14
Richie Havens @ Alix Goodlin Hall, Victoria, CA, Nov 14
Blues Travler @ The Joint, Las Vegas, NV, Nov 14
Susan Tedeschi @ Hart Theatre, Albany, NY, Nov 14
Tony Bennett @ Horseshoe Casino, Bossier City, LA, Nov 14
Kenny G @ Beau Rivage Casino, Biloxi, MS, Nov 14
Russell Thompkins Jr & New Stylistics, Evelyn Champagne King, The Delfonics, GQ, Blue Magic, Eddie Holman @ Fernwood Resort, Poconos, PA, Nov 14-16
Herbie Hancock @ Festival Hall, London, UK, Nov 15
Anthony Hamilton @ Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD, Nov 15
Susan Tedeschi @ Byham Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA, Nov 15
Ledisi @ Arena Theatre, Houston, TX, Nov 15
Kenny G @ Arena Theatre, Houston, TX, Nov 15
Richie Havens @ Admiral Theatre, Bremerton, WA, Nov 15
Herbie Hancock @ Bridgewater, Manchester, UK, Nov 16
Susan Tedeschi @ Birchmere, Alexandra, VA, Nov 16
Anthony Hamilton @ Tralf Music Hall, Buffalo, NY, Nov 16
Marcus Johnson @ Holiday Inn, Washington, DC, Nov 16
Kenny G @ Jefferson Civic Center, Birmingham, AL, Nov 16
Susan Tedeschi @ Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA, Nov 18
Anthony Hamilton @ Showcase Live, Foxboro, MA, Nov 18
Herbie Hancock @ The Barbican, London, UK, Nov 19
Anthony Hamilton @ Blender Theater, New York, NY, Nov 19
Tony Bennett @ Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ, Nov 19
Kenny G @ Nutter Center, Dayton, OH, Nov 19
John Legend @ Northrop Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN, Nov 19
Herbie Hancock @ Concert Hall, Birmingham, UK, Nov 20
Susan Tedeschi @ Park West, Chicago, IL, Nov 20
Tony Bennett @ Bloomingdale’s Holiday Window Concert. New York, NY, Nov 20
Marcus Johnson @ Camelot by Martins, Upper Marlboro, MD, Nov 20
John Legend @ Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL, Nov 20
Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, John Pattitucci, Will Kennedy @ Town Hall, New York, NY, Nov 20
Kenny Lattimore @ Atlantic Civic Center, Chicagoi, Il, Nov 21
Susan Tedeschi @ Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis, MN, Nov 21
Anthony Hamilton @ Music City, Greensboro, NC, Nov 21
Richie Havens @ The Sellersville Theatre, Souderton, PA, Nov 21
Tony Bennett @ Caesar’s Casino, Atlantic City, NJ, Nov 21-22
Anthony Hamilton @ Lincoln Theater, Raleigh, NC, Nov 22
Marcus Johnson @ JW Marriott, Washington, DC, Nov 22
Michael Franks @ Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY, Nov 22
Bobby Caldwell @ Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA, Nov 22
Richie Havens @ Patchogue Theatre For The Performing Arts, Patchogue, NY, Nov 22
Susan Tedeschi @ Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI, Nov 22
Herbie Hancock @ Arcimboldie Theatre, Milan, Italy, Nov 23
Anthony Hamilton @ Amos Theater, Charlotte, NC, Nov 23
Susan Tedeschi @ Vogue, South Bend, IN, Nov 24
John Legend @ Wharton Center For Performing Arts, East Lansing, MI, Nov 24
Herbie Hancock @ Megaron, Athens, Greece, Nov 25
Susan Tedeschi @ Brown Theatre, Louisville, KY, Nov 25
Herbie Hancock @ Auditorio Musica, Rome, Italy, Nov 25
Susan Tedeschi @ Northern Lights Theatre, Milwaukee, WI, Nov 26
John Legend @ Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit, MI, Nov 26
Herbie Hancock @ Sporting Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Nov 27
Anthony Hamilton @ City Block, Louisville, KY, Nov 27
John Legend @ Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Nov 28
Peter White, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun @ Hyatt Regency, Incline Village, NY, Nov 28
Dave Koz & Friends Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour w/Jonathan Butler, Jeff Golub, Keiko Matsui @ Sunrise Theatre, Ft. Pierce, FL, Nov 28
Anthony Hamilton @ Centerstage, Atlanta, GA, Nov 28
Richie Havens @ Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME, Nov 28-29
Tony Bennett @ Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, NV, Nov 28-29
John Legend @ Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ, Nov 29
Peter White, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun @ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, Nov 29
Dave Koz & Friends Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour w/Jonathan Butler, Jeff Golub, Keiko Matsui @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, Nov 29
Anthony Hamilton @ Orpheum Theater, Memphis, TN, Nov 29
Bobby Caldwell, Richard Elliot, Paul Brown, Jessy J @ Hyatt Regency, Incline Village, NV, Nov 29
Herbie Hancock @ Silesian Center of Culture, Katowice, Polanc, Nov 30
Anthony Hamilton @ Wild Horse Saloon, Nashville, TN, Nov 30
Dave Koz & Friends Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour w/Jonathan Butler, Jeff Golub, Keiko Matsui @ Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Sarasota, FL, Nov 30

BRIAN CULBERTSON SMOOTH JAZZ NETWORK AFFILIATES

Brain Culbertson’s Smooth Jazz Radio Show has been added to a new batch of radio affiliates around the country and we’ve go the full list. His show is typically broadcast every Saturday and Sunday from 6AM to 10AM. The full list of affiliates follows:

WEAG-FM/Augusta, GA 92.3 www.923smoothjazz.com
KABQ-FM/Albuquerque, NM 104.1 www.nmsmoothjazz1041.com
WCIN-AM/Cincinnati, OH www.wcinam.com
WJZA-FM--WJZK-FM/Columbus, OH 103.5/104.3 www.columbusjazz.com
WDSJ-FM/Dayton, OH 106.5 www.daytonjazz.com
KKHI-FM/Denver, CO
KJZN-FM/Fresno, CA www.1055kjzn.com
WAUN-FM/Green Bay, WI www.smoothjazzgreenbay.com
KORL-FM/Honolulu, HI
WJZL-FM/Lansing, MI www.wjzlonline.com
WKYL-FM/Lexington, KY www.smoothjazz1021.com
WJZX-FM/Milwaukee, WI 106.9 www.smoothjazz1069.com
WZJZ/Ft. Myers, FL 100.1 www.wdrr.com
WJCD-FM/Norfolk, VA 107.7 www.smoothjazz1077.com
KOCD-FM/Oklahoma City, OK 103.7 www.smoothjazzoklahoma.com
KJZZ-FM/Palm Springs, CA
KKXS-FM/Redding, CA www.smoothjazz961.com
KJZS-FM/Reno, NV www.smoothjazzreno.com
WQJZ-FM/Salisbury, MD www.wqjz.com
KKSF/San Francisco, CA 103.7 www.kksf.com (Saturday Only)
WJZT-FM/Tallahassee, FL www.wjztfm.com
KMYT-FM/Temecula, CA 94.5 www.kmyt945.com
KUJJ/Tri-Cities, WA www.smoothjazz1019.com
WSBZ-FM--WZJZ-FM/Ft. Walton Beach, FL 106.3 www.wsbz.com

NEW RELEASES FROM AZYMUTH, HI FLY ORCHESTRA, JAZZANOVA, LABELLE, MAYSA & OTHERS

Albert Mangelsdorff – Mangelsdorff Solo (Trombirds)
Anthony Valdez – Go/B Side For Philly (Record Breakin)
Azymuth – Butterfly (Far Out)
BB&Q Band – Genie (Elektra/Collectors Choice)
Bossa A La Mode – Reborn (Rambling/Japan)
Carroll Thompson – Carroll Thompson (Ultra Vybe/Japan)
Club Jazz A La Mode 3 (Rambling/Japan)
Cro-Magnon – Remixes (Lastdrum/Jazzy Sport)
Dusty – Keep It Raw EP (Jazz & Milk/Germany)
Ed Motta – Chapter 9 (Trama)
Fanga – Natural Juice (Cosmic Groove)
Five Special _ Five Special (Elektra/Wounded Bird)
Flat Three – Sky Is The Limit (Flower)
Garnet Mimms – Is Anybody Out There? (Evidence)
Harvey Mason – Funk In A Mason Jar (Arista/Japan)
Hi Fly Orchestra – Mambo Atomico (Tramp)
Howard Tate – Blue Day (Evidence)
Isley Brothers – Go All The Way (T Neck/Iconoclassic)
Isley Brothers – Showdown (T Neck/Iconoclassic)
J Rawls & Others – J Rawls Presents The Liquid Crystal Project 2 (HBS)
Jazzanova – Of All The Things (Universal/Japan)
Karen Aoki – Shining (Rambling/Japan)
Kenny Dope & Deb Karge Presents Kay Dee Records Vol. 2 (Kay Dee)
Kloud 9 – Enjoy The Ride (Expansion)
Labelle – Back To Now (Verve)
LaSonya Gunter – Crazy Beautiful (Blak Dol/Regular)
Lloyd Miller – Eastones Tonal Tranquility (Eastern Arts)
Kindred The Family Soul – Arrival (Hidden Beach)
Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia (Legacy)
Maysa – Metamorphosis (Shanachie)
Miriam Aida – Come On Home (Connective)
Musicanossa 1 – Sparatacus Jazz Lounge (Universal/Japan)
PJ Morton – Live In LA (2PM Music)
Philadelphia Soul Varities (Universal Love)
Roman Andren – Juanita & Beyond Live Studio Sessions (Ajabu/P-Vine)
Shawn Lee – Under The Sun Original Soundtrack (Ubiquity)
Songbyrd Jackson - Vol 1 Pain Passion & Liberation (Wyseeye)
Souljazz Orchestra – Manifesto (Do Right)
Three Degrees – New Dimensions (Ariola/Japan)
Till Bronner – Rio (Verve)
Trio Valore – Return Of The Iron Monkey (Record Kicks)
Viva 60’s (Rambling/Japan)

ALICE RUSSELL - POT OF GOLD

Six Degrees Records has announced the signing of British soul singer Alice Russell for North and South America, whose sophomore studio album, Pot Of Gold, will be released digitally on Nov. 4th and on CD Jan. 6th. Alice Russell has gained an enviable reputation as one of the UK's hottest singers, having recorded with the likes of Massive Attack and The Quantic Soul Orchestra, performed with the The Roots and supported Femi Kuti, De La Soul and appeared on the bill with Amy Winehouse in Cannes 2007. Alice's recent collaboration with Ninja Tune's Mr. Scruff on 'Music Takes Me Up' is a standout track from his new album Ninja Tuna and was released to rave reviews. As for her own material, she's been distilling her sound, laying live strings, horns and piano to compliment very intimate and uplifting shift in her style for her new album, Pot Of Gold. So make sure you don't miss a chance to sneak a first peek of the new Alice Russell material during her U.S. tour dates this November - her nine date tour hits major markets including Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.

Nov 3 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts
Nov 5 – Chicago, Il @ Park West
Nov 6 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
Nov 7 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Nov 8 – St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
Nov 9 – Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall
Nov 10 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
Nov 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hotel Café
Nov 14 – New York, NY @ Hiro Ballroom

LOVE TRAIN: THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA- THE CONCERT

Part one of "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" -- a two-part PBS television special celebrating the enduring musical legacy of the mythic musical production/songwriting duo Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and the entire family of Philadelphia International Records artists -- will premiere on KERA TV on Saturday, October 25th at 7:00PM, with subsequent airings across-the-country during the PBS December Pledge Week (please check your local listings).

Gamble & Huff are best-known as the creators of the classic Philly Soul Sound that began dominating music and radio charts in the early 1970s and continues to thrive into the 21st century.

A cornerstone event in Legacy Recordings' monumental Philly Soul reissue project, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" was filmed during an historic live concert showcasing some of the greatest music and musicians in the Philadelphia International Records catalog including The O'Jays, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, The Delfonics, The Intruders, Jerry Butler, Bunny Sigler, Three Degrees, The Soul Survivors, Jean Carne, G.C. Cameron, and The Sound Of Philadelphia Orchestra.

The "Love Train" concert was filmed in front of a live audience on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the landmark Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, documented in High Definition with a 11 camera set-up and state-of-the-art audio reproduction. Performances on part one of the "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" concert specials include "TSOP" (TSOP Orchestra with The Three Degrees), "The Love I Lost" (Harold Melvin's Blue Notes), "Expressway to Your Heart" (Soul Survivors), "I'm Stone In Love With You" (Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics), "I Love Music" (The O'Jays), "Rubberband Man" (G.C. Cameron), "Me & Mrs. Jones" (Bunny Sigler), "Used To Be My Girl" (The O'Jays), "Wake Up Everybody" (Harold Melvin's Blue Notes), "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" (Bunny Sigler, Jean Carne, The Three Degrees), "Never Gonna Give You Up" (Jerry Butler), "La La Means I Love You" (The Delfonics) and "People Get Ready / Love Train" (The O'Jays ).

“Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" is an unprecedented musical experience, the most comprehensive cavalcade of Philly Soul icons ever. Combining dramatic sets and vibrant lighting, inspired by the design aesthetic of Philadelphia International Records' classic album covers, with a non-stop succession of electrifying performances, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" provides a 21st century venue for one of the greatest soul revues in concert history, a high energy tribute to the immortal sights and
sounds of Philly Soul.

The "Love Train" Pledge Week broadcasts will offer PBS subscribers an expanded "Love Train" companion DVD as well as selections from the Legacy Recordings/Philadelphia International Records reissue catalog.
The "Love Train: Sound of Philadelphia" DVD will include bonus tracks and an exclusive documentary overing the Gamble & Huff collaboration which has so deeply influenced popular music and culture over the past five decades. A second one-hour "Love Train: Sound of Philadelphia" special will be scheduled for pledge broadcast in 2009.

GEORGE BENSON SIGNS WITH WORKSHOP LIVE

In conjunction with receiving a 2009 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award today at Lincoln Center, legendary performer George Benson announced his new project as an online jazz guitar instructor at WorkshopLive.com. The new project will take the form of a members-only online club named "George Benson's Breezin' Lounge" where Mr. Benson takes a no-holds-barred look at his musical ideas, playing techniques, formative years and the inspiration which has made him one of the best jazz guitarists and performers in the world.

"My hope is that aspiring guitar players everywhere will get something valuable out of my candid comments and demonstrations," says Mr. Benson. Bob Land, Chief Marketing Officer of WorkshopLive added, "George Benson's playing is truly masterful so we're thrilled to be able to offer this incredible level of direct access to him and his music."

The lessons are unlike any other offered online or off and come complete with printable sheet music, animated notation, tab and most importantly a fretboard where students can watch Mr. Benson's riffs being played note-for-note, slow down the playback and practice like never before. The Breezin' Lounge also plans to offer lucky fans exclusive live Webcasts where Mr. Benson will perform and respond to questions.

George Benson's Breezin' Lounge is a service of WorkshopLive.com, the leading online community for learning music, using a proven methodology and curriculum. It is subsidized by advertising so members only pay $9.95/month for two super-sized lessons, Webcasts, forums, and the opportunity to learn directly from legendary master artists. These workshops are a great new way for the artists to connect with their fans and were introduced earlier this year.

ANTHONY HAMILTON – THE PLAYIN’ IT COOL TOUR

Six time Grammy-nominated recording artist Anthony Hamilton is gearing up for a national tour that kicks off in Chicago, IL on November 5th, with 25 performances scheduled through December 13. The "Playin' It Cool" tour takes its name from the lead single "Cool" featuring David Banner, from Hamilton's forthcoming album, The Point Of It All, set for release on December 2nd.

The Southern-bred singer, who has been compared to Al Green and Donny Hathaway, is known to captivate his audiences with his phenomenal performances and soul-infused music. In 2006, Newsweek called him, "one of the music industry's best-kept secrets." People Magazine has named him "one of the most important R&B artists of his generation." The Point Of It All contains a wide range of raw soul-infused music with Hamilton at the helm co-writing the entire album and co-producing on the album as well with his longtime collaborators, producer/songwriter Mark Batson and Kelvin Wooten. Other producers on the album include The Avila Brothers and Jack Splash.

Most recently, Anthony Hamilton made his big-screen debut performing his poignant hit single "Do You Feel Me," in the Oscar-nominated American Gangster movie. He will also have a track in the upcoming film and soundtrack "Soul Men" starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mack. Over the past five years, Hamilton has established a loyal following from his 2003 platinum-certified debut album Comin' From Where I'm From, which spawned the hit "Charlene," which climbed to #3 on the R&B Albums chart and garnered him three Grammy nominations, to his last album, the gold-certified sophomore Ain't Nobody Worryin' released in 2005, which sparked the #1 hit "Can't Let Go." Hamilton is an "artist's artist" who has collaborated with a wide range of his peers including: Buddy Guy, Al Green, Dr. Dre, Santana, Angie Stone, Young Jeezy, Nappy Roots, Musiq Soulchild and more.

"Playin' It Cool" Tour Dates:

Nov 5 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Nov 7 - Minneapolis, MN @ Epic Event Center
Nov 9 - St Louis, MO @ House of Blues
Nov 11- Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Nov 13 - Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theater
Nov 14 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
Nov 15 - Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
Nov 16 - Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall
Nov 18 - Foxboro, MA @ Showcase Live
Nov 19 - New York, NY @ Blender Theater
Nov 21- Greensboro, NC @ Music City
Nov 22 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater
Nov 23 - Charlotte, NC @ Amos Theater
Nov 27 - Louisville, KY @ City Block
Nov 28 - Atlanta,GA @ Centerstage
Nov 29 - Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theater
Nov 30 - Nashville, TN @ Wild Horse Saloon
Dec 3 - Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theater
Dec 4 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
Dec 5 - Austin, TX @ Paramount Theater
Dec 7 - Houston, TX @ Arena Theater
Dec 10 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Dec 11 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
Dec 12 - San Deigo, CA @ House of Blues
Dec 13 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern

LOVE TRAIN: THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA

In 1971, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records (PIR) began its odyssey to become "the second-largest African-American owned enterprise, second only to Motown," in the 1970s, according to Los Angeles Times writer Lynell George's opening liner notes essay. The evolution of the City of Brotherly Love from a decaying urban landscape into a modern mecca of soul music recording, production, songwriting and artist development, is explored in full panoramic depth on LOVE TRAIN: THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA. This deluxe 4-CD boxed set will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting October 21st through PIR/Legacy, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

LOVE TRAIN includes 71 tracks, an appropriate homage to PIR, which was launched by Gamble & Huff in 1971. Some 48 tracks represent the scope of PIR during its hitmaking prime, from the familiar sounds of the O'Jays, the only act to be found on all four discs ("Back Stabbers," "Love Train," "Time To Get Down," "Put Your Hands Together," "For The Love Of Money," "Give The People What They Want," "Let Me Make Love To You," "I Love Music," "Livin' For The Weekend," "Use Ta Be My Girl") to less frequently anthologized PIR artists including the Ebonys, Johnny Williams, the Futures, Bunny Sigler, People's Choice, Dee Dee Sharp, Jean Carn, the Jones Girls, and Leon Huff himself ("I Ain't Jivin', I'm Jammin'").In between is an indispensable collection of multiple tracks – hit singles, B-sides, album cuts – by PIR's flagship artists between 1971 and 1983: The Intruders, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, MFSB, The Three Degrees, Lou Rawls, the Jacksons, Teddy Pendergrass, McFadden & Whitehead, and Patti LaBelle, the artists who shaped the PIR dynasty and sent its commercial success into the stratosphere.

Fully one-third of the tracks on LOVE TRAIN are non-PIR recordings, broadening the scope magnanimously. The Delfonics, Jerry Butler, Dusty Springfield, Wilson Pickett, Joe Simon, the Stylistics, the Spinners, William DeVaughn, Trammps, the Manhattans, and Deniece Williams all utilized the talents of Gamble & Huff and their associates. Starting with 1967's "Expressway (To Your Heart)" on the Crimson label, the Top 5 pop/R&B crossover classic by the all-white psychedelic rock band Soul Survivors (written, produced and arranged by Gamble & Huff), the chronological program proceeds with a repertoire that is truly unique amongst collections of this kind.The chronology is placed in the context of a three-and-a-half-decade timeline that opens the lavish full color booklet accompanying LOVE TRAIN.

In addition to the timeline and extensive, complete discographic annotations on every track, the 15,000-word booklet includes nine sections of historic essays, memoirs, recollections, and interview conversations by a host of luminaries. Along with Lynell George, whose primary four-part 2,000-word opening essay is entitled "You Can Still Stand Tall: The Sound Of Philadelphia," the other notable contributors include:

- British writer and lecturer Maurice Bottomley ("The Next Stop That We Make Will Be England");

- English and African American Studies professor Gerald Early of Washington Univers¬ity in St. Louis ("Am I Black Enough For You?");

- veteran Philly session guitarist-producer Bobby Eli ("A Day In The Life");

- Russell Hall of Performing Songwriter magazine (who conducts a conversation with Gamble & Huff);

- New York area radio personality Felix Hernandez, host of "Rhythm Revue," who discovered his cousin was Sigma Sound Studios mastermind engineer Joe Tarsia ("Family Reunion"); and

- Political Science professor James Miller of the New School for Social Research, former music critic for Rolling Stone and Newsweek ("Love Is The Message");

- Leo Sacks, the Grammy-nominated producer who has supervised more than 200 historic album projects, conducts a conversation with Thom Bell;

- Grammy Award-winning veteran A&R man and former music journalist Joe McEwen's essay is entitled "Conquer The World," named for the recent PIR rarities anthology he co-produced with Sacks.

SARAH MCLACHLAN - CLOSER: THE BEST OF SARAH MCLACHAN

Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum recording artist Sarah McLachlan has claimed the # 11 spot with her first ever"greatest hits" collection entitled CLOSER: THE BEST OF SARAH MCLACHLAN (available on Arista) with a total of 39, 564 albums scanned, according to Nielsen SoundScan. This album marks Sarah's 5th Top 15 charting album, joining the ranks of Mirrorball, Surfacing, Afterglow, and Wintersong.

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 limited edition 2-Disc set was also released, which includes a 20 page booklet insert featuring rare photos and original pen and ink drawings by Sarah, and boasts 11 additional recordings from Sarah's discography.

Sarah performed her new song and Top 5 AAA radio hit "U Want Me 2" on Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly, CBS Early Show, Late Night With Conan O' Brien week of release and was featured on MSN, AOL, Yahoo, and MySpace, Imeem, Quicktime, and Clear Channel Online. People Magazine calls Closer "'The Reissue of the Week' ... This disc reminds us why Sarah never goes out of style." Billboard raves: "U Want Me 2" is the best song she has issued in this decade, a glorious return deserving ... a Grammy Award bidfor best female pop vocal performance."

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 HolidayAlbum charts that year, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional PopVocal Album, and was certified Platinum, marking her 15th release to becertified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA.

AMERICAN URBAN NETWORKS PROMOTES EXERCISING VOTING RIGHTS WITH RADIO CAMPAIGN

In an effort to circumvent voter suppression tactics and confusion at the polls, award winning actress, Angela Bassett; Tonight Show bandleader, Kevin Eubanks; actress, LisaRaye McCoy Misick; and singer/actress, Brandy Norwood; are among the list of celebrities voicing public service announcements urging people to vote early or be first in line on Election Day. The joint initiative between American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) and the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) marks the second phase of their nonpartisan radio campaign aimed at ensuring African Americans cast a ballot that counts on Election Day. "We've already received numerous reports of possible voter suppression. It's essential to get the word out to vote early or be first in line to avoid the drama on November 4th," said Melanie L. Campbell, executive director and CEO, NCBCP. "AURN is the largest African American owned radio network company reaching 20 million listeners weekly. We appreciate AURN and all of the celebrities involved, their help ensures that the critical message to vote early will reach our target audience." Jerry Lopes, president of program operations and affiliations for AURN adds, "I am pleased to join hands with Unity '08, a group of prestigious organizations working to protect the rights that our ancestor's fought and died for. It was also a great opportunity to engage these celebrities and refreshing to see so many who wanted to help in the effort to protect our right to vote. I thank and applaud all of them for donating their time to this vital effort."

Tanya Hart, host of AURN's "Hollywood Live" coordinated the Los Angeles effort. Other celebrities participating in the campaign include: recording artists, James Ingram, Earth, Wind and Fire's, Verdine White, Siedah Garrett, Doc Powell and Take 6's, David Thomas. From the big and little screens: Obba Babatunde, Ernest Harden Jr., Reginald Dorsey, Regina Taylor, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Rolanda Watts, Hattie Winston, LaTonya Richardson Jackson, TV game show host, Mark Walberg and from BET's "Sunday Best," Beth Payne. Ambassador Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X, Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence magazine, and political comedian, Shang, also participated in the campaign. In addition to making an appeal for African Americans to be first to vote in this historic election, phase two of the PSA campaign encourages people to call the NCBCP's Unity '08 voter assistance hotline, 866-MYVOTE 1, to locate their polling place in advance. On the ground, NCBCP state coordinators are hosting get-out-the-vote rallies, monitoring the polls, and mobilizing voters in states where early voting has already started. During the initial phase of the campaign AURN produced and distributed voter education PSA's, while NCBCP representatives were on the ground in 18 states registering voters, hosting education forums, and making sure eligible voters verified their registration. For more information about the NCBCP's Unity '08 campaign visit www.blackcampaign.org. To receive a copy of the PSA's contact Lenore Williams at AURN at 412-456-4098 or via email Lenore Williams.

DANNY GREEN – WITH YOU IN MIND

Pacific Coast Jazz, founded in 2003, is a boutique jazz label that also offers artist management services. All PCJ artists are distributed worldwide by MVD Audio/Big Daddy Music. The San Diego-based independent record label, has announced the addition of San Diego-based Brazilian jazz pianist, Danny Green, to their roster of distinctive artists. Green's own independent label, Alante Recordings, will now be an associate label under the Pacific Coast Jazz umbrella.

This affiliation anticipates the release of Green's first solo release With You In Mind, slated for a street date of January 20, 2009. "The quality of Danny's work is outstanding and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to high quality independent artists," says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz. Nichols' label has teamed up with publicist Joy Foster of SV Media Relations and radio promoter Neal Sapper at New World N'Jazz and will give Alante Records access to international media buying and retail distribution.

Clearly Danny Green has managed to carve out a place for himself in the lineup of young San Diego jazz artists who have a pulse on keeping the tradition of jazz piano alive while stepping boldly into the future through the use of cultural sounds and world music rhythms. With You In Mind is Danny's debut solo outing and was co-produced with Allan Phillips and features Justin Grinnell (bass), Dylan Savage (drums), Allan Phillips (percussion) and Tripp Sprague (soprano saxophone). In With You In Mind Danny Green combines both Brazilian and Latin influences and cradles them in mainstream jazz and classical nuances. As a result of Danny's musical influences his sound comes across to listeners as a pianistic mixture of Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau, Danilo Perez, and Ravel with original compositions emerging from the sincerity of his soul. "A beautiful addition to our artist roster," added Nichols.

K.D. LANG - WATERHSHED

Known for her inimitably sultry voice, country roots, and collaborations with the likes of Tony Bennett, k.d. lang has ranked #33 on VH-1's 100 Greatest Women in Rock & Roll in 1999 and #26 on CMT's 40 Greatest Women in Country Music in 2002. Her current tour highlights the critically acclaimed new release, Watershed, lang's first collection of original songs in almost seven years. Described as a snapshot of the singer/songwriter's aesthetic at this particular moment in her career, Watershed graciously pays homage to the musical path she has taken during the last 25 years. Lang's dedicated core following and casual fans of her chart-topping hit "Constant Craving" will all appreciate what has been hailed as her most confident and revealing work to date.

Of Watershed, lang explains, "(it) is like a culmination of everything I've done -- there's a little bit of jazz, a little country, a little of the Ingénue sound, a little Brazilian touch. It really feels like the way I hear music, this mash-up of genres, and I think it reflects all the styles that have preceded this in my catalogue." In addition to writing and singing, the Grammy-award winner produced the album, the first time lang has taken on this additional role. James Hunter of Rolling Stone says, "Watershed is first-rate singer-songwriter music; lang fuses the various styles she has tapped -- country, pop, Brazilian -- with an alluring integration. She produced herself, and when a steel guitar waltzes in with charming rightness on the otherwise art-song "I Dream of Spring," or soulful soprano tone floods the symphonic air on "Close Your Eyes," her work sings. With Watershed, k.d. lang does what the gifted and the lucky always should: improve as time passes."

JOHN LEGEND - EVOLVER

Multi-platinum Grammy-Award-winning recording artist and acclaimed performer John Legend will embark on an extensive worldwide concert tour kicking off November 19 in Minneapolis. The first leg of John's North American tour wraps up December 13 with a second leg running from January 12 through February 9. The upcoming John Legend concerts mark the artist's first major tour since his massively successful world tour in 2007 (captured on Live From Philadelphia CD and DVD). John's special guest on the tour's initial dates is his Columbia Records' label mate Raphael Saadiq, who will be performing songs from his just-released new album, The Way I See It.

One of the most eagerly awaited releases of 2008, EVOLVER is John Legend's first full-length studio album in two years and will be released October 28. Guests on EVOLVER include OutKast's Andre 3000, emerging hip-hop/soul ingenue Estelle, R&B/pop superstar Brandy and John's longtime collaborator Kanye West.Songs on EVOLVER include the single "Green Light" (featuring ANDRE 3000), "It's Over" (featuring Kanye West), "Everybody Knows," "No Other Love" (featuring Estelle), "Satisfaction," "This Time," "Cross The Line," "I Love, You Love," "Good Morning," "If You're Out There," and "Quickly" (featuring Brandy).

In December 2004, John Legend's debut album, Get Lifted, peaked at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart and became America's #1 Top R&B/Hip-Hop album in January 2005. A critical and commercial triumph, Get Lifted earned John an astounding eight Grammy nominations -- he won Best New Artist, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("Ordinary People") and Best R&B album -- while selling more than three million copies worldwide.John's second collection, Once Again, entered the Billboard Top 200 at #3 shortly after its release in October 2006, peaking at #1 on the R&B Album Sales chart, earning an RIAA platinum certification while securing two Grammy nominations: "Save Room" (for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance) and "Heaven" (which won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance).

John racked up his fifth overall career Grammy win in 2006 when "Family Affair" -- a track he'd cut with Joss Stone and Van Hunt for Different Strokes by Different Folks, a Sly & the Family Stone tribute album (Epic/Legacy) -- took home top honors in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals category.

In 2007, John Legend launched the Show Me Campaign (ShowMeCampaign.org), a grassroots movement whose mission is "to fight economic and spiritual poverty through fostering sustainable development (personal, social, educational, economic) at the individual, family, and
small community levels."

John Legend - 2008 Tour Dates
Wed 11/19 - Minneapolis, MN @ Northrop Auditorium
Thu 11/20 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
Mon 11/24 - E. Lansing, MI @ Wharton Center For Performing Arts
Wed 11/26 - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre
Fri 11/28 - Toronto, Ont. @ Roy Thompson Hall
Sat 11/29 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
Mon 12/1 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
Tue 12/2 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
Fri 12/5 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theater
Mon 12/8 - Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Theatre
Tue 12/9 - Washington, DC @ Constitution Hall
Wed 12/10 - Greenville, SC @ Peace Center
Fri 12/12 - Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
Sat 12/13 Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center

http://www.johnlegend.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnlegend
http://www.johnlegendnetwork.com/
http://www.showmecampaign.org/
http://www.columbiarecords.com/

TONY RICH PROJECT - EXIST

The Detroit-born, Tony Rich began his career as a songwriter and producer, penning songs for Elton John, Boyz II Men, TLC and Johnny Gill, before releasing his 1996 debut album, Words. The hit single spawned from that album, "Nobody Knows", peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and climbed to number one in the UK. This propelled the single and album to sell more than one million units each and in 1997, Rich won a Grammy Award for the Best R&B Album. Since then, Rich released three critically praised albums: Birdseye, Resurrected and Pictures.

Now Tony Rich has released his newest album, EXIST, on September 23. EXIST has been described as a collection of songs that speak both to the heart and the mind. The lead single 'Part the Waves' currently sits at #31 (w/ a bullet) on Mediabase Urban AC chart. The album reviews are pouring in from the critics: Overall, the entire album is a melodic 11-track set that blends elements of soul, jazz and funk into what can best be described as a moving masterpiece. From the sensual tones of 'It Would Be A Sin (Without U)', to the familiar comfort of 'Jordan,' EXIST features all Rich-penned songs.

He was so inspired by his body of work that he photographed himself for the CD layout and designed the album packaging. The most intriguing of the photos is the CD back cover depicting a naked Tony Rich. While the image is polarizing, it is meant to show that one 'exists' even when stripped of all his or her worldly possessions. This is reflective of his career; starting with his huge commercial success in 1997 through the years of his fans wondering 'Where is Tony Rich' and finally the present, with him finding a home with Hidden Beach, known for its roster of quality artists.

EMI MUSIC TO LAUNCH ONLINE MUSIC STORE

In addition to iTunes and Amazon (and not to mention a bunch of much smaller players, it appears that EMI is preparing to launch a music service by the end of the year, representing the latest direct-to-consumer business being planned by a major label. Rumors are that the service may be located at emi.com. The music service will feature a mixture of paid and free content and may to include non-EMI artists as well, according to previous reports. EMI is not the only major considering the launch of a direct-to-consumer business. You would think that the major labels would of thought of this years ago – even before iTunes and Amazon got into position. It’s also rumored that the Universal Music Group is also planning to launch a site for its music videos as well as artist-focused content. The company currently has a large selection of its videos on universalmusic.com, a site that has advertisers such as AT&T and Traveler's Insurance. EMI is part of the EMI Group which is a music company comprised of the record company EMI, which operates several labels and is based in London, UK, and EMI Music publishing based in New York. EMI Music consists of over three million individual tracks and its artists include Charles Aznavour, The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Corinne Bailey Rae, Tina Turner, David Bowie, Joss Stone, The Lenny Kravitz, Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams, The Animals, and The Beatles. EMI’s music labels include Blue Note, Capitol, Virgin, EMI, EMI Classics, Parlophone, and Capitol Nashville.

HARRY CONNICK JR. - WHAT A NIGHT! - A CHRISTMAS ALBUM

Harry Connick Jr. has amassed a remarkable resume of achievements since his first Columbia album in 1987, including more than 25 million albums sold, prestigious nominations in the areas of recording, theater, television and film, and a countless string of dynamic live performances. "What a Night! - A Christmas Album" is his first full-length release since his 2007 big band tribute to New Orleans, "Oh, MY NOLA," which debuted at #1 on the Billboard jazz chart and #11 on the Billboard 200. Connick will make a number of television appearances in support of "What a Night! – A Christmas Album," including the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

Among contemporary musicians, no one has reflected these feelings with greater honesty and artistry than the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum-selling Harry Connick, Jr., who celebrates once again with "What a Night! - A Christmas Album," available online and in stores on November 4 from Columbia Records.

Harry Connick is one of the few contemporary artists who have created his own holiday traditions. Beginning with "When My Heart Finds Christmas," his triple-platinum seasonal album of 1993, through "Harry for the Holidays," his chart-topping sequel from 2003 that included "The Happy Elf" (the inspiration for a new family musical), he has brought vitality, sincerity and unmatched musicality to the celebration. "What a Night! - A Christmas Album" was created in the same spirit, with new takes on old favorites as well as four of Connick's own compositions.

As always, Connick's approach to seasonal classics is fresh and infectious. With the support of his stellar big band, he makes "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" and "Jingle Bells" swing. Recalling his hometown New Orleans ("A great place to celebrate," he notes, "but with the temperature at 60 degrees or higher, we didn't have many white Christmases"), he gives "We Three Kings" a funk beat, turns playful on "Zat You Santa Claus?" and offers a bluesy "Please Come Home for Christmas." From the finger-snapping groove of "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" and the majestic orchestral setting of "O Come All Ye Faithful" to an instrumental arrangement of "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies," Connick finds new ways to bring forth the spirit and meaning of these classic songs.

New music is also central to the celebration. "This is a very traditional CD in the way it sounds," Connick explains, "but what is not traditional is the inclusion of four new songs." Among them are the ballad "Christmas Day," the rollicking "Santarrific" featuring the voice and trombone of longtime colleague Lucien Barbarin, and the inspirational "Song for the Hopeful," a duet with gospel singer Kim Burrell featured in the Lifetime film "Living Proof," in which Connick stars as the doctor who developed the life-saving treatment for breast cancer. "Kim is one of the smartest musicians I've ever worked with, and one of the greatest voices of all time," says Connick. "Any chance I get to sing with her is a treat." Burrell is also featured on "Let There Be Peace on Earth," which Connick cites as "some of the best work she's ever done."

If one theme underscores the entire collection, it is the joy of celebrating with family. "Any parent knows that life is infinitely greater with children," Connick explains. "Christmas was great when I was a child, but nothing to compare with the Christmases I now have with my family." He makes the point explicit in the title track, which captures the excitement of Christmas Eve anticipation, and in a duet with his middle daughter Kate, who Connick calls "my most special guest," on "Winter Wonderland." "We recorded shortly before Kate's eleventh birthday," the proud father recalls. "It brought back some nice memories, because I was about Kate's age when I did my first recording."

Harry Connick Jr will be performing holiday shows this November and December in select cities in support of the album. Tour dates listed below, check local venues for ticket information.

November 18 @ Palace Theater - Louisville, KY
November 19 @ Taft Theater - Cincinnati, OH
November 20 @ Ohio Theater - Columbus, OH
November 21 @ Clay Center - Charleston, WV
November 22 @ The State Theater - Cleveland, OH
November 28 @ City Center - New York
November 29 @ City Center - New York
December 4 @ NJPAC Prudential Hall - Newark, NJ
December 5 @ The Borgata - Atlantic City, NJ
December 7 @ Fox Theater - St. Louis, MO
December 9 @ Orpheum - Minneapolis, MN
December 10 @ Chicago Theater - Chicago, IL
December 11 @ Chicago Theater - Chicago, IL
December 12 @ Milwaukee Theater - Milwaukee, WI
December 14 @ Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN
December 16 @ Cobb Energy PAC - Atlanta, GA
December 17 @ Durham PAC - Durham, NC
December 19 @ Colonial Theater - Boston, MA
December 20 @ Colonial Theater - Boston, MA

TONY BENNETT: A SWINGIN’ CHRISTMAS FEATURING THE COUNT BASIE BIG BAND

Tony Bennett has recorded his first holiday CD in forty years since his 1968 release of "Snowfall," and this latest project, "Tony Bennett: A Swingin' Christmas Featuring The Count Basie Big Band," is destined to become an annual favorite of the season. Featuring 11 tracks, Tony swings such classics as "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and the CD introduces his daughter, Antonia, who duets with Tony on "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm." Phil Ramone, who has worked with Bennett on several of his recent outings including the multi-platinum "Duets: An American Classic," produced the CD. Danny Bennett, Tony's son and manager, is Executive producer. The recording and mixing was handled by Bennett's son, Dae Bennett, owner of Bennett Studios. The CD will be available everywhere on October 14 on RPM Records/Columbia Records.

"Tony Bennett: A Swingin' Christmas" was recorded live on the stage of Bergen Pac in Englewood, N.J., keeping with Bennett's mandate to embrace the live aspect of performing in the recording process. The Count Basie Orchestra joined Bennett for the sessions and jazz pianist Monty Alexander took on the role of Count Basie at piano. 2009 NEA Jazz Master recipient Toots Thielemans also makes a guest appearance on the recording. "Tony Bennett: A Swingin' Christmas" is available in the following formats: CD, a deluxe CD/DVD fan edition featuring the recording of the album and a holiday card package including 10 holiday cards with artwork by Tony Bennett plus the CD, and a deluxe CD/DVD fan edition plus a bonus holiday card painted by Tony Bennett.

Here is the track listing for TONY BENNETT: A SWINGIN' CHRISTMAS Featuring The Count Basie Big Band" is as follows:

"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
"Silver Bells"
"All I Want For Christmas Is You"
"My Favorite Things"
"Christmas Time Is Here"
"Winter Wonderland"
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
"I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" (duet with Antonia Bennett)
"The Christmas Waltz"
"O Christmas Tree"

For an exclusive look at the making of "TONY BENNETT: A SWINGIN' CHRISTMAS," click to: http://tinyurl.com/3ghc9w
http://www.tonybennett.net/
http://www.benedettoarts.com/ttoarts.com
http://www.exploringthearts.org/

THE BEST OF BOND…JAMES BOND

Capitol/EMI has announced an expanded CD, CD/DVD and digital release of 'The Best Of Bond... James Bond' on October 28. The CD and digital album both feature 23 musical standouts from the Bond franchise's 46 years plus a previously unreleased bonus track, and the CD/DVD includes five music videos, a filmed concert performance and more. Just as James Bond has evolved over time, so have the films' memorable themes. 'The Best Of Bond... James Bond' collects an impressive selection of classic and contemporary Bond themes by many of popular music's top stars, including Paul McCartney and Wings' "Live & Let Die," Madonna's "Die Another Day," Duran Duran's chart-topping "A View To A Kill," Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger," Tina Turner's "GoldenEye," kd lang's "Surrender," Sheryl Crow's "Tomorrow Never Dies," Chris Cornell's "You Know My Name," Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better," and Tom Jones' "Thunderball," among many others. John Arnold's previously unreleased "James Bond Theme" closes the collection.

EON Productions/Danjaq, LLC, is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced twenty two James Bond films since 1962, including 'QUANTUM OF SOLACE.' The James Bond films, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, make up the longest running franchise in film history and include the recent blockbuster films 'GoldenEye,' 'Tomorrow Never Dies,' 'The World is Not Enough,' 'Die Another Day' and 'Casino Royale.' EON Productions and Danjaq LLC, are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.

The Best Of Bond... James Bond Tracklisting (CD, CD/DVD, Digital Album)
1. "James Bond Theme" - John Barry Orchestra
2. "From Russia With Love" - Matt Monro
3. "Goldfinger" - Shirley Bassey
4. "Thunderball" - Tom Jones
5. "You Only Live Twice" - Nancy Sinatra
6. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" - John Barry Orchestra
7. "We Have All The Time In The World" - Louis Armstrong
8. "Diamonds Are Forever" - Shirley Bassey
9. "Live & Let Die" - Paul McCartney and Wings
10. "Man With The Golden Gun" - Lulu
11. "Nobody Does It Better" - Carly Simon
12. "Moonraker" - Shirley Bassey
13. "For Your Eyes Only" - Sheena Easton
14. "All Time High" - Rita Coolidge
15. "A View To A Kill" - Duran Duran
16. "The Living Daylights" - A-Ha
17. "Licence To Kill" - Gladys Knight
18. "GoldenEye" - Tina Turner
19. "Tomorrow Never Dies" - Sheryl Crow
20. "Surrender" - kd lang
21. "The World Is Not Enough" - Garbage
22. "Die Another Day" - Madonna
23. "You Know My Name" - Chris Cornell
Bonus Track
24. "James Bond Theme" - John Arnold (previously unreleased)

DVD
1. "A View To A Kill" - Duran Duran (music video)
2. "For Your Eyes Only" - Sheena Easton (music video)
3. "GoldenEye" - Tina Turner (music video)
4. "The Living Daylights" - A-Ha (music video)
5. "All Time High" - Rita Coolidge (music video)
6. "Goldfinger" - Shirley Bassey (Live at Royal Albert Hall, 1974)
7. Documentary: "The Music Of James Bond"

NATALIE COLE – STILL UNFORGETABLE

Grammy Award-winning songstress Natalie Cole is back on the road this fall in support of her September release, Still Unforgettable, the highly anticipated follow up to the Grammy-winning favorite, Unforgettable ... With Love. Highlighting Cole's interpretation of timeless standards from the American Songbook as well as showcasing her signature hits, the tour will also feature an
accompanying big band. The tour hits Spotlight 29 Casino on January 17, 2009.

Natalie is an eight-time Grammy (R) Award winner, an accomplishment that speaks to her musicianship, her critically acclaimed abilities as a vocalist and her connection to her fans. Her canon includes such No. 1's as "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)," "Inseparable," "Our Love," "I've Got Love On My Mind," "Pink Cadillac" and "Miss You Like Crazy." She has sold more than 30 million albums.

Still Unforgettable is a 14-song collection that captures Natalie Cole's supple voice and impeccable phrasing as she continues her exploration of beloved American pop standards. Recorded in the legendary Capitol Studios in Hollywood, CA, the album features Cole lending her voice to such classic tracks as "The Best Is Yet To Come," "Nice 'N Easy," "Come Rain Come Shine" as well as a memorable duet with her late father Nat King Cole on "Walkin' My Baby Back Home."

For this new album Cole looked beyond songs made famous by her father. "I decided to go deeper into the American Songbook and not just get songs from my father, but also from Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peggy Lee. The lyrics of these songs are about life. As a singer, they take me and my audience on a winsome journey." The live show will feature performances of these musical gems, accompanied by a big band. "I still love recording and still love thestage, but like my dad, I have the most fun when I am in front of that glorious orchestra or that kick-butt Big Band."

LAURA NYRO – SEASON OF LIGHTS & NESTED

Laura Nyro (1947-1997) was one of the most remarkable popular music artists of the late 20th century - a pioneering singer-songwriter whose songs were beloved both in their original performances and in successful cover versions by the Fifth Dimension, Barbra Streisand, Three Dog Night, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Nyro had two audiences--a cult following that adored her high-priestess persona and whisper-to-a-scream vocals, and mainstream music fans who might have been unaware of Nyro herself but happily sung along with "Wedding Bell Blues," "Stoney End," "Eli's Comin'" and "And When I Die." Nyro's influence is cited by multiple generations of famous fans, from Todd Rundgren and Rickie Lee Jones to Fiona Apple and Jenny Lewis.

Season Of Lights…Laura Nyro In Concert (originally released 1977) documents Nyro's triumphant return to the stage after half a decade in self-imposed artistic exile. Joining Nyro is a nine-piece band led by jazz players John Tropea, Richard Davis, and Mike Mainieri, who add inspired new textures to a set spanning her first decade (1966-1976) as a writer and performer. Additionally, Nyro delivers several breathtaking solo performances accompanied only by her piano. Nyro conceived Season Of Lights as a double live album, but Columbia Records released it in 1977 as a 10 song single LP. Iconoclassic Records' reissue restores the set to its intended 16 song length. This deluxe, expanded CD blends signature tracks from Nyro's early period ("And When I Die," "Sweet Blindness," "Emmie") with songs from her then-current studio release Smile and exclusive material like "The Morning News" which was never recorded in the studio and appears only here. Blurt praises Iconoclassic's "more complete encapsulation of Nyro's performance prowess, an album that rivals Joni Mitchell's stunning Miles Of Aisles in terms of its jazz/rock synthesis."

Season Of Lights includes over 75 minutes of music remastered by Grammy® Award winning engineer Vic Anesini and new liner notes by Michele Kort, author of the definitive Laura Nyro biography Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro. Popdose.com raves, "Iconoclassic Records has beautifully remastered the album and presented it in its full glory . . . In a year that has offered beautiful reissues from the likes of Dennis Wilson (Pacific Ocean Blue) and Otis Redding (Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul), this album rises to the top of the list."

Nyro followed the live Season Of Lights with the 1978 studio set Nested, her eighth album. The richly autobiographical Nested focuses lyrically on impending motherhood, her up-and-down love life, music business greed, and the nature of the universe. A more intimate sound marks a departure from her acclaimed early work and spotlights instrumental contributions from John Sebastian (The Lovin' Spoonful), Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals), and Vinnie Cusano (KISS's Vinnie Vincent). Record Collector praises this "belated CD release for a pivotal record" noting that Nested is "an important album for marking out the direction of Nyro's future writing, the precocious talent of those first records fully blossoming into an older, wiser woman observing the world with wry detachment." Largely ignored or misunderstood upon initial release, Nested can now be heard as the fulcrum on which her early and later career pivoted.

Iconoclassic's 30th anniversary reissue of Nested adds an incisive 1,200 word essay by Kort and additional photographs of Nyro by acclaimed fashion photographer Adger W. Cowans, who shot the original album cover.

Season Of Lights…Laura Nyro In Concert and Nested are available in stores and online now.

RECORD FROM LP TO CD WITHOUT A COMPUTER - YES!

As a famous politician admitted recently, many members of the older generation who have to live daily in a technological world that has long outdistanced their electronic skills … still don't know beans about computers. And what's more, they don't care to. Yet that computer-illiterate segment of the boomer-and-older group often looks longingly at PC email capabilities and LP-to-CD recorders that transfer old vinyl record albums to a CD format--both generally dependent on computer technology. That conflict, says firstSTREET, a direct marketing company quartered near Richmond, Va., accounts for the success of their all-in-one music duplicating system that records a boomer's favorite albums and cassettes directly to CDs, without the need for a computer.

Chris Fawcett, COO of firstSTREET, says the strong point for the company's LP Saver Phono CD Recorder is twofold: "One, you don't need a computer to use it; it's a self-contained unit. And two, you don't need an engineering degree to operate it." Fawcett says the LP Saver is one of the easiest-to-use systems that firstSTREET has found anywhere. "Basically, to record an LP to CD, you'd press the Phono button, lower the tone arm onto the edge of the record or onto the song on the album you want on CD, and press Play. I don't think it gets any easier than that." firstSTREET says there are probably hundreds of thousands of music lovers who still have closets and shoeboxes full of record albums and cassettes around the house, some unlistened to for 30 years or more but containing music still significant and memorable to the ones who purchased it long ago.

"It's pretty much impossible financially to rebuild your LP collection by going out and buying new CDs of all those old albums," says Fawcett. "A simple, fast and reasonably priced unit that transfers those records and cassettes to a crisp, clean CD format, without computer involvement, is really meeting a need for the demographic that grew up buying 45s, albums and cassettes."

Those who no longer even have a phonograph or cassette deck in the house will appreciate the LP Saver's three-speed turntable, cassette deck and CD player. The complete system is housed in an attractive rosewood-finish cabinet, and Fawcett says the sound quality is quite good. He says one customer told him she hasn't owned a car with a cassette player in 10 years. "She's having a ball now listening to all her old cassettes, in between her 'recording sessions.' She said her grown children were even listening to her old albums now that there's a turntable in the house again."

Fawcett points out that music was and is an incredibly important part of life to the baby boomer generation, as well as to those who grew up in the big band, swing and jazz eras. "It's a great joy to those devotees to be able to bring the music of their time into the present and into a present-day format that makes it easily accessible. This is the kind of thing firstSTREET focuses on--we're always looking out for ways to make life easier and more enjoyable for our baby-boomer-and-beyond customer base."

SIRIUS XM ANNOUNCES “BEST OF BOTH” PROGRAM CUSTOMIZATION

SIRIUS XM Radio has announced an unprecedented offering of new programming packages and better pricing. The company's "Best of Both" programming options and A La Carte channel choices are available effective immediately. For the first time ever, XM subscribers can add select SIRIUS channels to their existing service, and SIRIUS subscribers can add select XM channels to their service. These "Best of Both" packages will be available at a monthly cost of $16.99, which is only $4.04 more than the cost of a monthly subscription to one of the services. Most subscribers can add the premier programming without purchasing a new radio.

XM subscribers can add "The Best of SIRIUS" featuring Howard Stern and his two 24/7 channels; Martha Stewart Living Radio dedicated to entertaining, cooking and more with Martha and her lifestyle experts; SIRIUS NFL Radio and play-by-play of every NFL game through the regular season, playoffs and Super Bowl; SIRIUS NASCAR Radio and broadcasts of every NASCAR race; and the smart and sexy exclusive talk of Playboy Radio. XM subscribers will also have access to play-by-play action from the country's leading college teams.

In addition, SIRIUS subscribers can add "The Best of XM" channels featuring Oprah Winfrey and her full time channel, Oprah & Friends; The Virus featuring irreverent radio personalities Opie and Anthony, as well as comedic daytime hosts Ron and Fez; XM Public Radio featuring exclusive interviews and documentaries from the award winning Bob Edwardss play-by-play of select NBA and NHL games; and live coverage of all the events of the PGA TOUR. SIRIUS subscribers will also have access to play-by-play of select games from college's biggest conferences.

98.1 THE RIVER LAUNCHES TO DEFY THE ODDS

I just love it when traditional radio outlets defy the odds and attempt to make a statement. Such a station is 98.1 The River (Asheville, NC). Just announced is that the Asheville Radio Group is launching 98.1 The River effective last Wednesday, Oct. 1, and promises to provide area listeners with an eclectic mix of tunes. A recent press release for the station suggests that listeners want “a radio boutique ... without silly DJs and mainstream radio hype.” A rundown of the big-name acts you can expect to hear includes the Dave Matthews Band, Sara Bareilles, My Morning Jacket, Amos Lee, G. Love & Special Sauce, Bob Marley, REM, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello and Jack Johnson. While the potential offerings aren’t college-radio cutting-edge, they are a departure from the typical pop radio of traditional Top-40 shows. There are also plans for local-centric specialty programming on the River. General Manager Bob Bolak says it will probably be along the lines of “Local Licks” on the Mountain, but with singer/songwriters and other artists in the genres represented by the River. Local musicians will be able to suggest their bands through the station’s Web site. The station is set to launch with 10,000 songs in a row — uninterrupted. If you do the math it works out to about a month’s worth of music. During that time, listeners are invited to send their comments, criticisms and suggestions to comments@981theriver.com. I’d like to see more stations around the country bail out on the corporate bigwigs and their so-called song research statistics and just play the stuff that people already have on their iPods (just cause we can’t hear it on the radio). Kudos to 98.1 for having the guts to do this. Let’s hope it become the new norm.

MOUTIN REUNION QUARTET

Moutin Reunion Quartet features twins, Louis and Francois, with Rick Margitza on saxophone and Pierre de Bathmann on piano. The quartet started 2007 as they toured the US in January, continued with a European tour in February; while recording its fourth album "Sharp Turn". In April, the quartet was in residence for a week at the Opera National de Lyon and for three days at the Ballard Jazz Festival in Seattle, WA. They toured the USA in June through September, also appearing in several festivals in France and in Turkey. After the release of "Sharp Turns" early November, the band has been on the road again for a 15 date tour, starting in France mid November and then going to the USA from east cost to west coast, ending at Jazz Alley in Seattle mid December. The conclusion of the year was an appearance at l 'Olympia in Paris for the annual show of the Parisian major jazz radio TSF. Early 2008 brought the highly energetic critically acclaimed group to the states, with appearances in Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan; Syracuse, New York; Chicago, and a tour de force performance at their South Bend debut at Trio's, adding another great review to their collection book.

Upcoming US Tour Dates:
September 30th @ Angelle Hall of the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA
October 2nd & 3rd @ Snug Harbor, New Orleans, LAOctober 4th @ Lyceum Dean, Baton Rouge, LA
October 5th @ Churchill Ground's Jazz Club, Atlanta, GA October 6th @ Dizzy's Coca Cola Club - Jazz @ Lincoln Center, NY, NY

NEW MUSIC RELEASES FROM HERBIE HANCOCK, JEFF LORBER, KIRK WHALUM, HI FLY ORCHESTRA, VERVE REMIXED & OTHERS...

Al Green – How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (Music Club)
April Hill – Love 360 (Jazzy Peach Music )
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones – Jingle All The Way (Rounder)
Bette Midler – Jackpot!: The Best Bette (Rhino)
Bette Midler – Some People’s Lives (Rhino Flashback)
Billy Paul – 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul (Legacy)
Bryn Christopher – My World (Universal)
Boomers – What We Do (Phantom Imports )
Cal Tjader – Cal Tjader Plays The Contemporary Music of Mexico & Brazil (Verve)
Charlie Haden – Friends & Family (Decca)
Claudia Acuna – In These Shoes (Zoho Music)
Cro-Magnum – III (Lastrum)
Cro-Magnum – Remixes (Lastrum)
The Crusaders – Pass The Plat (Verve)
Edda Dell’Orso – Sogni Di Bambina-A Child’s Dream (GDM)
Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band – Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band Meets King Pennett (RCA)
Dr. John – Goin’ Back To New Orleans (Rhino Flashback)
Damon Aaron – Highlands (Ubiquity)
Dele Sosimi – Identity (Helico)
Diana Ross & The Supremes – The Definitive Collection (Motown/UME)
Don E – Natural (Dome)
Drawbar – Flight Of The Tempest (Counterpoint)
Earl Johnson – Juicy (First Domain)
Ed Motta – Chapter 9 (Trana)
Eliane Elias - Bossa Nova Stories (Blue Note)
Esther Phillips – Alone Again, Naturally (Kudu/Reel Music)
Fourplay - Energy (Heads Up )
Four Tops – The Definitive Collection (Motown/UME)
George Duke - Feel (Verve )
Gladys Knight & The Pips – The Definitive Colllection (Motown/UME)
Grover Washington Jr – All The King’s Horses (Verve )
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody (Legacy)
Herbie Hancock – Definitive Herbie Hancock (Verve )
Herbie Mann – London Underground (Wounded Bird )
Hi Fly Orchestra – Mambo Atomico (Ajabu)
James Taylor – Covers (Hear Music)
Jason Miles – 2 Grover With Love (Koch)
Jazz Cafe – Sight Unseen (Unison )
Jeff Lorber – Heard That (Peak)
Joe Sample – Fancy Dance (Gazell )
Junior Walker & The All-Stars – The Definitive Collection (Motown/UME)
Kenny Garrett – Sketches of MD Live At The Iridium (Mack Avenue )
Kenny Loggins – How About Now (180 Music)
Kirk Whalum – The Millenium Promise Jazz Project (Koch)
Kloud 9 – Enjoy The Ride (Expansion)
LaSonya Gunter – Crazy Beautiful (BlakDol/Regular)
Lalo Shifrin – Piane Strings & Bossa Nova (Verve )
Leon Huff – How To Create Music (Legacy)
Lin Rountree – Sumthin’ Good (Nu Millennium )
Linda Eder – The Other Side of Me (Verve)
Lizzy Parks – Raise The Roof (Tru Thoughts)
Love Train: The Sound Of Philadelphia (4CD, Various Artists, Legacy)
Luiz Bonfa – Plays & Sings Bossa Nova (Verve )
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – The Definitive Collection (Motown/UME)
Martin Medeski & Wood – Zaebos: The Book Of Angels Vol 11 (Tzadik )
Martin Taylor – Double Standard (P3 Music Ltd )
Mary Wells – The Definitive Collection (Motown/UME)
Michael McDonald – If That’s What It Takes (Rhino Flashback)
Mike Thompson with Ernie Watts – Menagery
Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Columbia)
Natalie Cole – Good To Be Back (Rhino Flashback)
Nicole Henry - Very Thought Of You (Banister)
Nicola Conte – Rituals (Universal)
Nicola Conte – Sketches Of Samba (Schema)
Nina Simone – To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story (RCA)
The O’Jays – Back Stabbers (Legacy)
Pat Metheny – New Chautauqua (ECM)
Patricia Barber – The Cole Porter Mix (Blue Note)
Peter Maneri – Peace Concert (Atavistic )
Randy Brecker – Randy In Brasil
Raphael Saadiq – Way I See It (Columbia)
Ric Laue – The Weight (Sunset Classics & Jazz )
Robin Thicke – Something Else (Interscope)
Roy Ayers – You Send Me (Verve )
Russ Kunkel - Rivage (Mailboat )Russell Gunn – Love Stories (Highnote )
Santana – Multi-Dimensional Warrior (2CD)
Sarah Vaughan – Jazz Manifesto (Delta)
Shuya Okino – United Legends – More Remixes (Genenon)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – The Definitive Collection (Motown/UME)
Soil & Pimp Sessions – Planet Pimp (Brownswood)
Sonar Kollektiv Orchester – Guaranteed Niceness (Sonar Kollektiv)
Soul Bossa Trio – Soul Bossa Trio (Cubop )
Spyro Gyra – A Night Before Christmas (Heads Up )
Stan Getz – Big Band Bossa Nova (Verve)
Stanley Turrentine – Dearly Beloved (Blue Note )
Steve Tilleli – The Field (Sunset )
Sylvester – Sell My Soul/Too Hot Too Sleep (Fantasy)
Sylester – Sylvester/Step II (Fantasy)
Swing Out Sister – Beautiful Mess (Miso)
Taj Mahal – Maestro (Heads Up)
Teddy Pendergrass – Teddy Pendergrass (Legacy)
Teddy Pendergrass – Life Is A Song Worth Singing (Legacy)
The Temptations – The Definitive Collection (Motown/UME)
Thievery Corporation – Radio Retaliation (ESL)
Toninho Horta – To Jobim With Lovedig (Resonance )
Tony Rich Project – Exist (Hidden Beach)
Traffic – Love At Santa Monica (DVD, Pinnacle)
Two Banks Of Four – Junkyard Gods (Somar Kollektiv)
UB40 – UB40: Greatest Hits (Virgin/EMI)
Van Morrison – Astral Weeks (Vinyl LP)
Van Morrison – Moondance (Vinyl LP)
Van Morrison - His Band & Street Choir (Vinyl LP)
Van Morrison – A Period of Transition (Polydor)
Van Morrison - How Long Has This Been Going On (Polydor)
Van Morrison - Hymns to the Silence (Polydor)
Van Morrison - Poetic Champions Compose (Polydor)
Van Morrison - Saint Dominic’s Preview (Polydor)
Van Morrison - Tell Me Something (Polydor)
Verve Remixed Holiday (Various Artists)
Verve Unmixed Holiday (Various Artists)

Vince Mendoza - Blaukland (Amv )
YahZarah – Prelude EP (Yahzarah)

D'ANGELO - I FOUND MY SMILE AGAIN

R&B-soul singer-songwriter D'Angelo has returned with his new single "I Found My Smile Again (Radio Edit)", which is slated for a September 30th release date exclusively through iTunes. The track is a true representation of D'Angelo's soul fusion, as the song is sprinkled with hints of hip hop, funk and jazz and layered with some of the most charismatic R&B vocal styling.

D'Angelo was one of the founding fathers of R&B soul movement of the mid- to late '90s, which took classic R&B fused it with new age hip-hop soul. D'Angelo's debut album, "Brown Sugar" earned him significant critical acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone Magazine who proclaimed, "D'Angelo keeps moving forward even when he's looking in the rearview mirror. Like his fellow retrolutionaries Me'Shell NdegéOcello, Joi, Omar and Dionne Farris, he's shattering the conventional definition of black music." The album's double platinum success triggered extensive touring and soundtrack recordings for films like Space Jam, Get On The Bus, Down In The Delta, and Scream 2; and a duet with Erykah Badu for the "Marvin Is 60: A Tribute Album".

The singer-songwriter's follow-up, "Voodoo", debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200, despite a five-year wait in between and positioned him firmly a the top of the R&B heap. Produced and written by D'Angelo and recorded live with no overdubs, "Voodoo" featured high profile collaborations with Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Q-Tip, Method Man and Redman. The album took D'Angelo's career to new heights and earned the singer songwriter his first of two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album, and D'Angelo also won the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Untitled (How Does It Feel)."

D'Angelo is currently putting the finishing touches on the next chapter in his book of musical fusion with his third solo offering, which is slated for release in early 2009 through the RCA Music Group and J Records.

For more information click tot Myspace.com/dangelo.

ROBIN THICKE OFFERS SIX REMIXES FROM ‘SOMETHING ELSE’

Grammy winner, Robin Thicke has a top 5 hit on his hands with "Magic," the lead single from his new album, "Something Else," due Sept. 30 from Interscope Records / Star Trak Records. The certified platinum soul singer is truly creating the "magic" with a first-of-its-kind partnership with GenAudio, which is debuting its new audio technology, AstoundStereo(TM), by providing alternate mixes of six tracks from "Something Else." "As an artist, having this kind of technology is a dream come true. My goal is to always have my audience hear my music on a deeper level, so I am thrilled about AstoundStereo(TM)," says Robin Thicke.

The six AstoundStereo(TM) re-mixed tracks -- "Magic," "Sidestep," "Dreamworld," "Sweetest Love," "Shadow of Doubt" and "Cry no More" – are available as a gift-with-purchase for anyone who orders the digital version of the album on the artist's website (robinthicke.com) or the physical CD on Amazon.com. Robin Thicke is the first artist to showcase his music using
AstoundStereo(TM).

Developed by GenAudio, the new technology, AstoundStereo(TM), is the next dimension in the evolution of audio. A next generation 4D audio technology, AstoundStereo(TM) immerses the listener with sounds, elevating and widening the sonic landscape to create a much more enjoyable listening experience. "This will change the way the world listens to audio," says Jerry Mahabub, Chairman/CEO of GenAudio. "AstoundStereo(TM) is not only the next dimension in the evolution of audio, it will become the new standard for listening to audio."

AstoundStereo(TM) requires no special hardware or decoding. Headphones or two speakers are all that is needed to experience 4D audio. In addition to providing for a better stereo listening experience, AstoundStereo(TM) also integrates seamlessly with all Surround Sound delivery formats yielding a better multi-channel audio experience. In other words, it is compatible with all audio playback systems including but not limited to home theater setups, portable music players, computers, car stereos, etc.

Interscope Records credits the artist's musical palette for the GenAudio partnership. "There is an inherent richness to Robin's music, as well as a variety of musical styles, that we thought would work well with the new GenAudio technology -- and it does," says Ted Mico, EVP of Digital at Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA). "We see this as a good fit between artist and technology."

Thicke's customized Musicane widget will be posted on his official site (http://www.robinthicke.com/) offering fans the opportunity to buy the entire album and/or individual songs directly from him, via his website. Fans that buy his album directly from his site will instantly be able to download the AstoundStereo(TM) files directly from the widget. The widget will contain previews of the album, news, videos and, for the first time, sell his branded merchandise. The digital music downloads sold via Thicke's Musicane will offer his full catalog in unrestricted 320 kbps MP3 format. All music is DRM-free and will be playable on any portable and home music players including the Apple iPod(R) and iPhone(R).

Robin Thicke's manager Neil Jacobson, of Interscope Management, concurs. "I compared the original mixes versus the AstoundStereo(TM) mixes on all six tracks," he says. "You can close your eyes and hear how the audio expands around your ears and above your head -- it completely immerses you in Robin's music. This technology takes Robin's music to a new
level."

Because Robin Thicke's music is varied -- from upbeat and funky to soulful and atmospheric -- GenAudio showcases the different ways that AstoundStereo(TM) can be applied to different styles of music, Mahabub explains. "With Robin having such a wide range of musical style, it enabled us to have a new level of creativity using our AstoundStereo(TM) technology." From a marketing perspective, Interscope now has a different type of bonus offering for Robin Thicke fans. "This is a great incentive for fans to buy the album," Jacobson notes. "This is real, tangible, and makes perfect sense."