MICHAEL JACKSON TOPS 9 OUT OF 10 BILLBOARD CHARTS

As predicted, Michael Jackson is once again the King of the Pop charts.

Based on preliminary sales numbers from Nielsen SoundScan, the entire top nine positions on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart will house Jackson-related titles when the tally is released in the early morning on Wednesday (July 1). Nielsen SoundScan's sales tracking week ended at the close of business on Sunday (June 28) night.

Billboard's Full continuing Michael Jackson coverage, including video, charts and more.

Jackson himself has a record eight out of the top 10, while a Jackson 5 compilation also finds its way into the upper tier.

The King of Pop's "Number Ones" will fittingly lead the pack at No. 1 with 108,000 (an increase of 2,340%) while "The Essential Michael Jackson" and "Thriller" are in the Nos. 2 and 3 slots with 102,000 and 101,000, respectively. Last week "Number Ones" was the only Jackson title on the chart, at No. 20 with 4,000 copies; both "Essential" and "Thriller" re-enter the tally this week.

Additionally, his classic 1979 studio set "Off the Wall" re-enters at No. 4 with 33,000 while his 1987 album "Bad" returns at No. 6 with 17,000. At No. 5, the Jackson 5's "The Ultimate Collection" debuts with 18,000. Jackson's fourth studio album for Epic Records, 1991's "Dangerous," re-enters at No. 7 with 14,000 while his 2001 compilation "Greatest Hits: HIStory -- Volume 1" also comes back to the list at No. 8 with 12,000. Finally, Jackson's 2004 box set "The Ultimate Collection" charts its first week on the Pop Catalog chart, arriving at No. 9 with 11,000.

The lone non-Jackson-related set in the top 10 is a reissue of the "Woodstock" movie soundtrack, which bows at No. 10 with 8,000.

Collectively, Jackson's solo albums sold 422,000 this past week. That's extraordinary, since his titles sold a combined 10,000 in the week that ended June 21. Of the 422,000 total, 57% were digital downloads.

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SONY MUSIC AND IODA PARTNER UP

Sony Music Entertainment and IODA officially disclosed their partnership today, a widely expected move. The deal, first reported by Digital Music News on Tuesday, taps into the IODA digital distribution system known as the Rightsholder Dashboard.

Most of the details were disclosed by sources, and the official announcement contains almost no additional information. But as speculated, Sony Music will indeed assume an ownership stake in IODA, similar to a structure created by Universal Music Group and IODA rival INgrooves. Still, the exact ownership stake was not disclosed,

Also as expected, the focal point for the deal will be RED Distribution, a Sony-controlled unit focused on a stable of independent labels. Sony is believed to be tapping IODA to improve its in-house digital distribution capabilities, considered lacking. "IODA has proven it has the expertise and ability to lead the independent market with groundbreaking digital solutions," said Sony digital topper Thomas Hesse in the official statement.
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ADAM CRUZ "HUMBLE BEGININGS" OUT ON TRAXSOURCE NOW!

ADAM CRUZ "HUMBLE BEGINNINGS"
AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE JULY 2009


Promo available now at:
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=36293

From his forthcoming debut album, Life and Times, Adam Cruz delivers this incredible new party record just in time for the summer! "Humble Beginnings", the 2nd single off his "Life and Times" LP, is about one of the hottest parties in New Jersey and its infamous Humble punch! With Anetra and the Humble crew at the helm, Humble Beginnings has always been THE party to go to. With great music and amazing food, this monthly event in Montclair has fast become the gem of Jersey and cannot be missed. Much love, respect and special thanks to the Humble Beginnings family: Anetra, Anthony, Antoine, Britney, Carlotta, Deidre, Eddie, Kris, Jenna, Polo, Shaniquah and Wang. "Humble Beginnings / a place perfect for me / Take a taste of Anetra’s elixir / Humble Punch, that crazy liquor mixer / See the one on the dance floor looking mesmerized / Sweating, dancing, singing, down for that party prize / So let the DJ take you into space ‘cause everything’s in its right place…."

Written and produced by Adam Cruz.
Lead vocals by Adam Cruz. Background vocals by Adam Cruz and Flora Cruz.
Published by Mixtape Sessions Music (ASCAP).
©2009 Mixtape Sessions Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

For press, licensing and booking inquiries: press@mixtapesessions.com
Adam Cruz on the web: www.mixtapesessions.com
Humble Beginnings on the web: www.myspace.com/humbleclique

THE MJ SWARM

In terms of cultural Richter scales, this one goes to 11. And if it has anything do with Michael Jackson, then traffic probably hit record levels. But that is just be the beginning - already, posthumous projects are getting the green light, in search of some serious green. Indeed, Shakur-style exploitation could be put to shame by the post-Jackson gold rush.

Ahead of the real moneymaking efforts, the early beneficiaries are easy to identify. On the news and information side, the Jackson death showed just how quickly the terrain has changed. TMZ, Perez Hilton, Twitter, and the Los Angeles Times site were strained or brought down immediately after the death, thanks to an unprecedented traffic surge. The inferno eventually spread to every major news outlet, though TMZ cast the first spark.

On the media and ecommerce front, the swarm spread to YouTube, iTunes, Imeem, Facebook, Mininova, and the Pirate Bay, just to name a few. On the music side, Michael Jackson songs have been clogging the top 100 on iTunes, and digital retailers across-the-board have been reporting swells.

In turn, these retailers are courting the chaos. A large percentage of digital music sites have been creating Jackson-focused editorial, the perfect setting for a feeding frenzy. Other assets, including merchandise and CDs, are just beginning their upward arc.

And, like Tupac, the re-release train is probably just beginning. Sony Music Entertainment is sitting on a huge recording catalog, and already-solid sellers like Thriller and Off the Wall are suddenly getting a boost from an untimely bout of nostalgia.

Time to make some money, and the remaining Jackson brothers and sisters are sitting on a golden opportunity. The siblings, outside of Janet, are reportedly cash-poor, though the entire gang could start a reunion or tribute tour. Already, the gaping hole left by a summer string of 50 dates at the O2 in London present a possibility.

And the rehearsals leading up to those planned gigs are also worth exploiting. Promoter AEG Live already has well-shot footage of a pre-tour practice.

Michael Jackson was a notoriously outrageous spender, the source of his horrific finances. But Michael is an incredible asset - both in terms of his music, image, and investments (the Beatles catalog is the most lucrative example). Indeed, lots of hands are reaching out for collections, though the post-MJ revenue stream is already running rich.

And, if the family plays its cards right, an Elvis-style empire could be in the offing. Neverland could be the new Graceland, complete with a Michael memorial. And re-releases, licensing efforts, casinos, and nostalgia tours could potentially continue for decades.

And the best part? Michael Jackson, and his voracious spending habits, will be absent from the equation. That means, at least theoretically, that the financial mess left by Michael can be sorted through, though the presence of multiple creditors, rights holders and heirs probably guarantees more chaos ahead.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY: LILLIAS WHITE "I CAN'T HELP IT" (MICHAEL JACKSON COVER)

A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON, THE KING OF POP

Adam Cruz Presents: Mixtape Sessions
A Tribute to Michael Jackson
Thursday, June 25, 2009
http://axiomonline.tv
http://cyberjamz.com

CLICK HERE 4 MY MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE

The Jacksons "Blame It On The Boogie" [Epic]
The Jacksons "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Off The Wall" [Epic]
Jill Scott "My Love Is" (Karizma's Remix) [Hidden Beach Recordings]
Michael Jackson "Billy Jean" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Rock With You" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "The Way You Make Me Feel" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Smooth Criminal" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "You Rock My World" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Beat It" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Thriller" [Epic]
George Kranz "Din Da Da" (Original Mix) [Personal Records]
Michael Jackson "Human Nature" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Break Of Dawn" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Lady In My Life" (Shelter Vocal) [Restricted Access]
Michael Jackson "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Bad" [Epic]
Blunted Dummies "House For All" [D.J. Boy Records]
Michael Jackson "Say Say Say" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Black Or White" [Epic]
Michael Jackson "Earth Song" [Epic]

BJORK "VOLTAIC" - EXCLUSIVE FIRST LISTEN TO FORTHCOMING ALBUM

NPR Music is now streaming the upcoming Bjork album ahead of its street date. The album, Voltaic, is now available on npr.com/music, where it will live through June 30th.

At that point, the album will be officially released across physical and digital formats. But outside of the structured deals and pre-releases, this album has been available online for months. As first reported on Digital Music News, Voltaic first bubbled online on April 26th, well ahead of street.

The stream is part of NPR's continuing "Exclusive First Listen" series. Voltaic is made up of live studio recordings, collected ahead of a recent, two-year tour by the artist and band. Previous First Listen artists include Regina Spektor, Moby, Leonard Cohen and the Dirty Projectors.

LISTEN TO THE WHOLE ALBUM BEFORE IT COMES OUT!

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THE ROBOTNIX "NEEDLE" - BRAND NEW FROM MIXTAPE SESSIONS

THE ROBOTNIX "NEEDLE"
AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE JULY 2009
Promo available now at:
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=35597

Direct from Haumea, The Robotnix have arrived to rock the planet!

Direct from the northern tip of Haumea, Mixtape Sessions is excited and proud to introduce The Robotnix! The Robotnix were born in Haumea, a dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt of the solar system. Due to its unusually rapid rotation, Haumea is extremely cold and The Robotnix are the only living beings left on the planet! They have survived by creating uniquely repetitive rhythms, generating heat and causing a giant collision of sound and color. Check out their newest musical collision, “Needle”. A masterful joy in repetition, their debut piece is extremely addictive. Like a botox injection, you may only intend to try it once, but you’ll go back for more of the “Needle”. Much love, respect and special thanks to: Jesse Jackson, the whole Dark Planet Records crew and The Robotnix for the alien space travel.

Written and produced by Adam Cruz.
“Dark Planet” mixes produced by Jesse Jackson and Adam Cruz for Dark Planet Records.
Published by Mixtape Sessions Music (ASCAP).
©2009 Mixtape Sessions Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

For press, licensing and booking inquiries: press@mixtapesessions.com
For more information about the The Robotnix: mixtapesessions.com
For more information about Dark Planet Records: myspace.com/darkplanetrecords

WHEN MAJOR LABEL EXECUTIVES SIT DOWN TO TALK

Just some of the notable notes from a Tuesday morning major label panel at NARM in San Diego:


"We've been really thrilled with the results of deluxe editions, both on digital and physical."
- Jennifer Schaidler, Sony Music.


"Listen-only on-demand is probably not something we see as a long-term solution."
- Mike Jbara, WEA Corp., speaking on Spotify.


"'If you're interested in transacting, and actually purchasing something, then serving it centrally makes more sense. Going to a P2P network is like buying drugs in a dodgy neighborhood.''
- Amanda Marks, Universal Music Group.


"I work in a department called 'music services'."
- Darren Stupak, EMI, on the shift in thinking happening within major labels.


"You're going to see more experimentation from artists that are not ready to do a full album."
- Jennifer Schaidler, Sony Music.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY: MOS DEF FEAT. SLICK RICK "AUDITORIUM"

From the highly anticipated new album "The Ecstatic", the mighty Mos Def delivers another knock-out true-form hip hop track with "Auditorium" featuring the legendary Slick Rick - props to AMc for sharing: