http://www.sonybmg.ca/ en-ca Copyright 2005-2008 SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA) INC. All rights reserved. SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA) INC. Publishing Engine 20 http://www.sonybmg.ca/images/rss_logo.gif http://www.sonybmg.ca/ 88 31 'FutureSex/LoveSounds', has earned him two Emmy Nominations! The show was nominated for Outstanding Picture Editing as well as Outstanding Technical Direction. Congratulations to Justin and the entire 'FutureSex/LoveShow' tour! The Emmy Awards will air Sunday, September 21 on ABC. FutureSex/LoveShow is available on DVD. Get it Here! For more information and a full list of nominees, visit http://www.emmys.tv/

It has also been announced that Justin will perform at this year's 5th anniversary 'Fashion Rocks' - the event where music meets fashion! The show airs Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 9:00pm EST on CBS. Proceeds from the event will benefit Stand Up To Cancer. For more information, visit fashionrockslive.com.

Official website: justintimberlake.com
]]> Late Night with Conan O'Brien this Monday July 28.

Jules de Martino and Katie White of The Ting Tings unleash their distinctive brand of fun, kooky, cool electro pop in their debut release 'We Started Nothing', available now. Dubbed the "Sonny and Cher of Salford", North England, The Ting Tings have undoubtedly started something with their infectious, outrageous first singles "Great DJ", "That's Not My Name" and "Shut Up And Let Me Go".

Catch the show on NBC at 12:35am EST, or check your local listings for more information.

Official website: www.thetingtings.com
]]>
Produced by ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, 'Partie Traumatic' is a collection of ten intelligent and energetic pop songs that Spin.com says "is sure to leave fingerprints on the repeat button across the indie-rock realm."

"Black Kids make catchy, tightly executed songs that put a memorable stamp on pop's classic themes," said Pitchfork. With comparisons to The Cure and Belle and Sebastian, The Black Kids wasted no time proving their effective mix of new wave meets modern pop. They got their start in 2007, when they launched a free EP through MySpace, entitled "Wizard of Ahhhs". The buzz quickly spiraled the group of siblings and friends from the online world to the stages of Coachella and BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. Their single, 'I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" debuted at #11 in the UK, and is gaining traction in Canada now.

The rising indie pop stars and starlets will be hitting up select cities in Canada in support of the release. Check out the dates below, and don't forget to catch them on "Late Show With David Letterman" (July 24), "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" (July 30) and KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" (July 28).

Dates:
MONTREAL, QC: Cabaret Music Hall, Oct 4
TORONTO, ON: Mod Club, Oct 5
VANCOUVER, BC: Richards on Richards, Oct 11 ]]>
Ben Folds, known for the last 15 years by his piano-pounding pandemonium and irony-laced lyrics, is joined on 'Way to Normal' by long-time bassist Jared Reynolds and drummer Sam Smith. Indie pop heroine Regina Spektor also lends her voice to the album's first single, "You Don't Know Me". "We were just having a good time," Folds says about making the album. "This was the most fun I've ever had recording."

Folds has been performing at a number of summer festivals lately, including Bonnaroo in Tennessee, where he premiered the new songs "Free Coffee", "Errant Dog" and "Hiroshima". "The songs have been getting a great reaction," Folds says. "It makes me look forward to having a new album out there because it's been a while. This feels like a really free period in my life and I'm really enjoying it."

He recently down with Paste Magazine to talk about touring and the new album. You can check out the interview here.

Official website: www.benfolds.com
]]> 'Piece Of My Soul'.

Click here to check out the interview and acoustic versions of "Stand Up", "Take A Piece Of My Soul", and "Heaven's Table".

With his French language albums, Garou has sold over 5 million records worldwide. Now, he is proving himself to English Canada with "Piece of My Soul", which entered the Canadian album sales charts at #2.

Official Site: http://www.garouland.com ]]> Doctor Who and Torchwood television series, or as an acting coach and judge on both the UK and Canadian versions of the reality show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Now, Barrowman is showing us "Another Side", with an album full of classic songs.

Now available in Canada, "Another Side" features 13 memorable tracks, ranging from Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time to Elton John's Your Song. Though predominantly pop, the tracks cross a wide variety of genres, and were all chosen based on personal meanings or connections with John.

"For those who only maybe know me from television," John said, "I'd like them to discover another side of me."

The track listing for "Another Side" is:
1. All Out Of Love
2. You're So Vain
3. She's Always A Woman
4. Time After Time
5. Weekend In New England
6. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
7. If You Leave Me Now
8. Your Song
9. Please Remember Me
10. Heaven
11. Being Alive
12. Feeling Good
13. All By Myself

Official Site: www.johnbarrowman.com ]]> Spirit, is receiving smashing reviews! Check out the latest review of "Better in Time" from Billboard magazine HERE, and don't forget to watch the video!

Official website: www.leonalewismusic.co.uk
]]>
You can watch the performance, including an interview with band, on the BBC web site now!

Official website: www.thetingtings.com
]]> www.jessicasimpson.com to preview the video.

Simpson is certainly ready to come on over to country music. Recorded in Nashville, TN, this album gives listeners an inside look into the real Jessica Simpson. "Every single song is a piece of my heart ... who I am," comments Simpson. "I'm not what everybody thinks that I am. Believe it or not, I'm a simple country girl. I might buy expensive shoes," she laughs, "But, I'm definitely a simple country girl and this album will hopefully give people a sense of who Jessica is again."

Helping share Simpson's story is none other than country legend Dolly Parton who lends her powerful vocals to the title track, "Do You Know." Parton wrote this record just for Simpson. "It's such a great song," comments Simpson. "I'm so blessed to be able to sing with her on it ... she is so much a part of me finding myself as an artist."

Simpson will be giving country fans a preview of her new music as she hits the road this summer, playing select fairs and festivals including a stop at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, on August 28.

Official website: www.jessicasimpson.com/
]]> www.jessicasimpson.com this afternoon to check out the world premiere of "Come on Over", the first single off of Jessica's upcoming country album, Do You Know? (available September 9!) In the meantime, check out this 30 second preview.

"Come on Over" debuted so well at radio that Jessica is now the "Highest Charting Debut Solo Artist" in the history of the Billboard Country Singles Chart. While a country album may seem surprising to some, it was a natural move for Jessica.

"I am a country girl," she told Billboard. "I grew up in Texas, and country music was what I listened to. I always wanted to make a country album, but I wanted to wait until the time was right."

The single for "Come on Over" is available now. For more information visit her site.

Official website: www.jessicasimpson.com/
]]> Myspace.

The video beautifully portrays the powerful introspective themes within the song, which you can get a sneak peek of by visiting the Behind the Scenes preview, featuring an interview with singer Tim Edwards, on eTalk eXtended. You can also check out photos from the video shoot by visiting the bands Facebook page.

"Rain Delays" is the follow up single to their Top 10 radio hit "World We Know", off of their debut album of the same name. The band, which often draws comparisons to artists like The Fray and Coldplay, spent 4 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Emerging Artists Charts upon the release of World We Know, which is available now. Check out Crash Parallel's page for more information.

ETalk airs Monday night on CTV at 7pm EST. For more information, check your local listings. ]]>
"I started making 'Here I Stand' before I had my son and before I was married. It was a deliberate choice to make music with substance, not just about the things that we're accustomed to-music about being the celebrity, the player, or having the car, the girl and the bling."

You can pick up the issue in stores now, or visit www.essence.com to check out the exclusive. Here I Stand, which debuted at #1 in Canada, is available now. Check out Usher's page for my info.

Official website: www.usherworld.com
]]>
The Mississauga, Ontario band is about to celebrate 1 year since the release of their debut full length, All Day With It, featuring their successful singles "Nothing Special" and "Life of a Soldier."

Avril Lavigne is on tour promoting her third album "The Best Damn Thing", which has been certified 4x Platinum in Canada.

illScarlett will appear on the following dates:

8/8/08 Harbour Station Saint John, NB
8/9/08 Moncton Coliseum Complex Moncton, NB
8/10/08 Halifax Metro Centre Halifax, NS
8/12/08 Mile One Stadium St. Johns, NL
8/13/08 Mile One Stadium St. John's, NL

For tickets and more information visit www.livenation.com.

Official website: www.illscarlett.com
]]>
Considered by many to be the summer's most anticipated festival, Lollapalooza will feature 3 days worth of performance by superstars like The Ting Tings, Black Kids, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Mark Ronson, Nicole Atkins and many more.

Check out http://viplollapalooza.sympatico.ca/ for more info on how to win!

]]>
While she's been selling out shows in Toronto on a regular basis, her music has been reaching far beyond her home since the release of her EP Eclectica (Episodes in Purple). While in the UK, she performed in Birmingham and Manchester for the Bass Festival, and at Trafalgar Square in London for a Canada Day event put on by CBC.

The versatile songstress will also be performing at the Montreal Jazz Festival on July 4 before taking off to New York. In Queens, she'll perform with renowned producer King Britt, who remixed the track "Money" for the Eclectica release. This is just the beginning of the impressive list of appearances Zaki will be making this summer. Check out the dates below for a glimpse at where she is headed over the next few months:

July 4: Montreal Jazz Festivel (Bell Groove Stage)
July 11: Queens, NY- Turntables on the Hudson w King Britt
July 12: Brooklyn, NY- Hip Hop Festival
July 17: Vancouver, BC- The Media Club w Kinnie Starr
July 18: Surrey, BC- Fusion Festival
July 20: Crawford Bay, BC- Starbelly Jam Music Festival
July 25: London ON- Salt Lounge
July 31: Ottawa, ON- CME Trust Fundraiser with Tumi & DJ Loqenz @ Babylon
Aug 9: Cambridge, ON- Rock the Mill
Aug 16: Toronto ON- Harbourfront Centre (Sirius Stage)
Aug 19: San Francisco, CA- iTunes Showcase

Official website: www.myspace.com/zakiibrahim
]]>
Leona took some time to talk to the people at 46664 about the performance, Nelson Mandela, and the charity. You can watch the interview here.

www.46664.com also has clips from the event, and you can stream it live July 2nd or July 18th at 8:30pm EST.

Official website: www.leonalewismusic.co.uk
]]>
Other stunning performances included T-Pain, Alicia Keys, and Chris Brown; all of whom went home with awards in hand. Chris Brown and Alicia Keys took the awards for Best Male and Female R&B Artists of the year, while T-Pain, who led the nominations with a total of 5, won best collaboration alongside Kayne West for the song "Good Life". Raheem DeVaughn was awarded the BETJ award, while UGK took home Best Group and Video of the Year for their song "International Players Anthem" with Outkast.

Congratulations to all the winners! Check out http://www.bet.com/specials/betawards08/ for more highlights from the 2008 BET Awards.

Official website: www.usherworld.com
Official website: aliciakeys.com
Official website: www.chrisbrownworld.com
]]>
Cohen, who many consider to be one of the most influential songwriters and poets of all time, received impressive reviews across the board. Rolling Stone summed up his third night in Toronto by saying "Cohen poured everything he had into a stunning performance."

"For over 2 1/2 hours on Friday night at the Sony Centre," wrote the Toronto Sun, "Leonard Cohen was our man... The Montreal poet-singer-songwriter easily seduced a sold-out crowd during the first of four back-to-back shows."

He is currently performing at the Montreal Jazz Festival through to June 25th, and then visits Europe for 19 mostly sold out shows. Visit his official site for tour dates and information.

Official website: www.leonardcohen.com
]]>
With 6 dates in Canada including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary, Natasha will be hangin' tough on tour with 80s pop sensations from September to November.

For ticket information, check out Live Nation.

Official website: www.natashabedingfield.com
]]>
Leona told Peta, "I am totally against animal cruelty. I am vegetarian so I don't have clothes, shoes, or bags made from leather or suede or any animal products. I'm on a mission."

Learn more by visiting the PETA web site.

Official website: www.leonalewismusic.co.uk
]]>
"This is something that's very important to me," says Brian. "I'm from a very loving family, and I realize I've been very fortunate. I want to help make a difference for kids who haven't had it so good. I'm looking forward to making a contribution here in Hamilton. If I can inspire one kid to dream, to achieve, to know they are not alone...what more could I ask?"

The Council provides comprehensive assessment and treatment services for child and youth victims of sexual abuse and for their non-offending parents/caregivers, trauma services for children and youth from immigrant and refugee families, and a range of prevention and education programs that focus on keeping kids safe. For more information visit www.childabusecouncil.on.ca.

Official website: www.brianmelo.com
]]>
'Seeing Things' reveals a new side of Jakob Dylan, and is receiving rave reviews across the board! Rolling Stone says, "An album of stark, solo acoustic songs that evoke the softer side of Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen.". Filter writes, "...Dylan stripped back the production to create a powerful, unblinking album influenced by the timeless honesty of American roots music....Calling to mind artists like Ryan Adams and The Jayhawks, Jakob Dylan has found a new and quite pleasing avenue for his music.", and "....moments of timeless grace.", is how Spin describes the debut gem.

With its direct, open production and moving themes, 'Seeing Things' sheds new light on Jakob as a singer and songwriter.

Official website: jakobdylan.com/
]]>
"Heaven's Table", Garou's second single in Canada, was serviced to Canadian radio this week resulting in instant adds on some of this country's biggest radio stations including: Toronto's CHUM FM and EZ Rock, Ottawa's Magic 100, Halifax's C100, Montreal's Q92 and Edmonton's EZ Rock.

With over 5 Million French albums sold worldwide, Garou's Canadian debut matched his highest French album debut - #2 for the album Seul, released November 2000. Piece Of My Soul scanned almost 12,000 units in its first week which surpasses the first week scans for Garou's most recent self-titled French release. 'Piece Of My Soul' is also certified GOLD in Canada.

'Piece Of My Soul', debuted #1 on Quebec's sales chart and his first English single "Stand Up", continues to impact at radio, and moves to # 4 on the Top 100 BDS Anglophone chart in Quebec. "Heaven's Table" will make its debut on the Canadian BDS Adult Contemporary chart this week.

Garou is currently on an extensive European promotion trip and he will be back in Canada with promotional stops in Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver in early June. Log on to www.garouland.com for album release dates and further news updates.

Since Garou's debut on the music scene over 10 years ago, he has been a tour de force commanding sold out audiences, selling millions of albums worldwide and dazzling the theatre and music industries with his powerful vocals and superior showmanship. After releasing three award-winning French albums, one live album and two DVDs, Garou's debut English album, 'Piece Of My Soul' is set to soar.

Official website: www.garouland.com
]]>
The legendary singer songwriter Donna Summer is back with her first studio album in 17 years. 'Crayons' (which includes all new material) has all the characteristics that made Donna an icon. The first song, "Stamp Your Feet", has a stomping and upbeat rhythm that sets the mood for the entire album of up-tempo songs and ballads.

Working with Donna on her new album, were renowned writers and producers including: Greg Kurstin (Lilly Allen, Pink), Danielle Brisebois (Natasha Bedingfield, New Radicals), JR Rotem (Sean Kingston, Rihanna), Evan Bogart (co-writer of Rihanna's smash "SOS" and the son of legendary record executive, Casablanca Records founder and Donna's mentor, Neil Bogart), and Lester Mendez (Shakira, Santana).

'Crayons'// in stores and online now! For more information on Donna Summer and her new album, check out her MySpace or her official site. ]]>
Garou's first English single "Stand Up", written by Matchbox Twenty leader Rob Thomas, continues to gain momentum at radio, and moves to # 3 on the Top 100 BDS Anglophone chart in Quebec and #19 on the National AC audience chart (BDS).

Since Garou's debut on the music scene over 10 years ago, he has been a tour de force commanding sold out audiences, selling millions of albums worldwide and dazzling the theatre and music industries with his powerful vocals and superior showmanship. After releasing three award-winning French albums, one live album and two DVDs, Garou's debut English album, 'Piece Of My Soul' is set to soar!

On 'Piece Of My Soul', Garou has teamed with renowned songwriters from around the world and recorded most of the album in Europe with famed producer Peer Astrom (Céline Dion, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez.) Garou experimented with many styles reflecting his varied musical personality, creating a finished album tinged with rock songs, ballads and pop influences.

"Stand Up" symbolizes a call to action, urging listener's to 'stand up' and take notice of the beauty around them and to go out and capture their dreams. That is exactly the force driving Garou on his current release - he's ready to forge new ground and eager to challenge his fans with his English debut 'Piece Of My Soul'.

Official website: www.garouland.com
]]> Sympatico MSN's Orange Lounge in Toronto!

Official website: www.brianmelo.com
]]>
Buy tickets for the event here!

Event Tickets: http://www.charlottetowntickets.com/

Official website: www.ourladypeace.com
]]>
The EP includes a demo version of 'Come Alive', a live track, and a cover of Arcade Fire's 'Keep The Car Running' (!), whom the Foos- including Dave Grohl -are admittedly huge fans of. They recently performed the cover Live on BBC Radio 1, which you can watch //here//.

The EP, described by the host as "brave, but brilliant", can be purchased online at the iTunes Store.

Official website: www.foofighters.com
]]> Click here to visit.

Official website: www.crashparallel.com
]]>
Her music is captivating and vibrant. It's thick with poetics, and steeped in a delicious mixture of earnest emotion and humor.

"It (her music) comes from knowing a struggle, but it's never really about struggle." She was shaped by the diversity of her Apartheid-era hometown and household, where the lessons of Islam fed into discussions of Buddhism, Sufi philosophies courted drums, and Scottish folk songs intertwined with a rich, epic ancestral history.

By the time Zaki began writing and performing songs as a child, she was already well familiar with the life of a traveler, switching up continents as often as some people switch up hairdos. She was first introduced to hip hop in South Africa, and then continued her journey with music as a teen in Canada's west coast.

She has utilized her music talent to aid in community-based initiatives as well as facilitating workshops and activities for youth at risk. Her involvement with District Six Music is based on her philosophy that cultures exchanged lend to greater understanding and tolerance. She has involved herself in many other projects working within the realm of music moving toward social change.

"I want to continue to develop youth workshops on visual arts, music, appreciating and discovering your talent, self-expression, art for social change, music for social change. If you're able to express yourself, it's like therapy almost, to be able to put your talents to use."

Zaki Ibrahim has posted a series of short videos on her YouTube Channel to preview each track on her upcoming release, Eclectica (Episodes in Purple) available May 13, 2008.

If you are in Toronto on May 5, be sure to go to Massey Hall to see this global diva share the stage for Erykah Badu.

Don't forget to mark your calendar: May 13 at the Mod Club, Zaki Ibrahim will have her CD Release show for Eclectica (Episodes in Purple)!

If you want to find more on Zaki Ibrahim you can go to her MySpace or her website.

Official website: www.myspace.com/zakiibrahim
]]>
The band formed in 2006 when Katie and Jules began performing their frighteningly contagious lo-fi catchy tunes at secret-parties at the Islington Mill, an old cotton mill where the band resides with other artists, including photographers, underground filmmakers, and painters.

Now, let me paint you a picture: 'Great DJ' is the Single of the Week on iTunes in the US, 'We Started Nothing' was featured Monday Night (April 28, 2008) on the TV show Ugly Betty, iTunes has selected 'Shut Up And Let Me Go' as the song in their new advertisement, leading The Ting Tings in footsteps of bands like The Vines and Jet, and legends including Bob Dylan, and Paul McCartney. Watch the Apple ad here.

The Ting Tings strive to break down barriers between the artist and the audience, recently by involving the audience in getting them to create the artwork for their 7" during a string of shows they performed. They have a uniquely "can-do philosophy", insisting on answering MySpace messages, refusing to allow a website to pass unless its design and content elements are 100% approved by the band, and insisting on hand-decorated sleeves for their albums. Rare ambitions for musicians these days.

With a digital release of Ting Tings "We Started Nothing" set for May 20,2008, and a physical release scheduled for June 3rd, 2008, here's a peak at some of the hot UK press this duo has received that is likely to make a quick trickle down in North America.

"The most exciting new band in the country" -- NME

"They're a mash up of B52's art school madness, the dancefloor noise of early New Order and the Slits punky sass." -- Observer Music Monthly

"Manchester's DIY pop duo is putting the arty back into party" -- NME

"It's lo-fi and DIY but its ambitions are mainstream and its appeal potentially huge...irresistibly infectious and possessed of an almost unnatural exuberance" --Guardian Unlimited

"By far the best pop band the UK has produced in years...too exciting" -- Bands of 2008 - NME

Official website: www.thetingtings.com
]]>
True Colors Tour Kicks Off In Boston May 31st

Pop music icon Cyndi Lauper will release her highly-anticipated new album Bring Ya To The Brink on Epic Records/SONY BMG, May 27th. Cyndi, well known for her vocally superior and emotionally intense live performances, will be heading out to celebrate the second year of her 25-city True Colors Tour. The tour, which raises awareness about gay rights, features icons like B-52s, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts as well as up and coming acts like Tegan and Sara, The Cliks, Regina Spektor and many more.

On Bring Ya To The Brink Cyndi maintains her total immersion in the creative process, co-writing and co-producing every track, while working with some of today's top dance producers including Canada's own Dragonette, Kleerup, Basement Jaxx, Axwell and more. The album showcases an edgy new sound evident on the first single, "Same Ol' Story," co-produced by Rich Morel, known for his hit remixes of songs by Nelly Furtado, Mariah Carey and the Killers. The 12 songs on Bring Ya To The Brink showcase Cyndi's matured songwriting while taking her music in an exciting new direction.

"This is an album that can be experienced in two completely different ways," Cyndi says, explaining that Bring Ya To The Brink is, "A dance album that you can move to and enjoy on a surface level. But if you want more than that, there's a lot to discover inside the lyrics... these songs get pretty deep."

Fans will be able to experience the new music live at this year's True Colors Tour. The groundbreaking tour was conceived by Cyndi stemming from her desire to give back to the community for the love and support they have given her throughout her career. The True Colors Tour is a celebration of the basic values and freedoms that should be shared by all North Americans. Fans will experience these values through the music of both legendary icons along with the newest and coolest acts this generation has to offer. Helmed by Cyndi, The B-52s, Rosie O'Donnell and hosted by Carson Kressley the tour will feature exciting special guest appearances on select dates including Wanda Sykes, Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Joan Armatrading, Indigo Girls, Nona Hendryx, Deborah Cox, The Cliks, Andy Bell, The Puppini Sisters and Kat DeLuna.

After winning the Grammy in 1985 for best new artist and becoming the first artist in history to have five top ten singles from a debut album, Cyndi Lauper continues to garner critical acclaim as a singer, musician, actor and writer. Cyndi has released 12 albums, over 40 singles and has sold more than 25 million records world wide. She has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 7 American Video Awards, 18 MTV awards.

As an actor, Cyndi has appeared in such features as Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, Life With Mikey, Off and Running, Vibes and opposite Christopher Walken in her critically acclaimed dramatic role in The Opportunist. Television credits include Queer as Folk, Live and Kicking and Noel's House Party (both for the BBC) and her Emmy Award Winning performance (Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series) as Marianne Lugasso on Mad About You (94-99). Cyndi has also lent her talents to other film and TV projects voicing animated projects for Disney and The Simpsons as well as scoring soundtracks for the films Off and Running, Private Property and the title song for Nick Cassavete's, Unhook The Stars. Cyndi made her Broadway debut in 2006, in the role of Jenny in The Threepenny Opera. When she is not writing and performing, Cyndi is continuing to develop her skills as a director, frequently working at the helm of her own music videos as well as directing for commercials like the Trivial Pursuit's "Totally '80s" board game.

Official website: www.epiccenter.com/EpicCenter/CyndiLauper/index.html
]]>
Culminated from Sarah McLachlan's illustrious recording career, the 'Rarities, B-Sides And Other Stuff, Volume 2' collection contains Sarah McLachlan material never before available on one CD. The collection includes live performances, rare recordings, remixes and soundtrack contributions. In addition, the album includes exceptional, one of a kind duets with Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Emmylou Harris, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, DMC (from Run DMC) and more!

Nettwerk Music Group CEO Terry McBride explains, "This unique collection allows Sarah fans access to 14 rare songs in one place at one time, and for a much lower price than if they were to purchase each individually."

Since signing with Nettwerk nearly two decades ago, every one of Sarah McLachlan's studio and live albums and videos have been certified gold, platinum, multi-platinum, or diamond by the CRIA, starting with 'Touch' (1988) and 'Solace' (1991), both platinum sellers. Her 1994 breakthrough, 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' (2x platinum) was followed by the digitally enhanced multimedia version of 'The Freedom Sessions' (1995, gold). Sarah's landmark fourth album, the Diamond certified '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 quadruple-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 5 times 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.

Official website: www.sarahmclachlan.com
]]>
In support of their debut album, available May 6, 2008, Toronto-based quartet Crash Parallel are tackling important issues with the title track and first single "World We Know". The song is a powerful call to arms that challenges our generation to take action and protect our world, with a chorus that asks us "what are we waiting for?"

Directed by Danny Appleby (Kalan Porter, Jason Collett), the video reflects these same themes with powerful imagery and emotion to match.

Check out their music video for World We Know.

Official website: www.crashparallel.com
]]>
If you are a fan of this album's predecessor, "12 Songs" produced by Rick Rubin (Tom Petty, Johnny Cash), you will be pleased to know that the critically acclaimed producer will, once again, be working with the living legend. Diamond says of their relationship, "That first '12 Songs' album was more of a testing of the waters and a 'getting to know you' album...", "This one is 'we know each other and respect each other and let's try and knock people's socks off,' and that's what we went for, and that's what we (did)."

'Home Before Dark' will feature a duet with Dixie Chicks' front-woman Natalie Maines on 'Another Day (That Time Forgot)', while the overall 12 song collection gives a profound glimpse into Diamond's brilliant songwriting abilities. Diamond says of the album, "I love the intimacy of it..."; "I love the simplicity of it. And I also loved having to make it work without embellishments for the most part. I got to love playing the guitar on these things. Let's not say 'love,' let's say 'accept.'". 'Home Before Dark' will also be available as a deluxe edition, which includes two bonus tracks and a DVD with rare footage of the man himself in the studio, performing 'Pretty Amazing Grace', 'If I Don't See You Again', 'Forgotten', and 'The Boxer' (bonus track - not on the album).

Neil Diamond will return to concert stages across North America beginning July 19th in St. Paul, MN for a 37-city North American tour. Tickets will go on sale beginning Monday, April 28th with early on-sale opportunities being offered to American Express cardholders.

Also be sure to check out Neil Diamond when he appears on American Idol April 29th as a mentor, and April 30th for a performance.

For more information on Neil Diamond, and current list of tour dates, visit:
Official Website: www.neildiamond.com

See the live video for 'Pretty Amazing Grace' at Yahoo! Canada

Official website: www.sonymusic.com/artists/NeilDiamond.html
]]>
Prepare to be amazed:
+ The first British female artist ever to debut at #1
+ The first British artist ever to have a first album debut at #1
+ The biggest digital album sales week ever for a new artist
+ The biggest female artist debut album since 2005 (Carrie Underwood)

This makes Leona the second British female solo artist to ever land a #1 album in the US, the first having been Olivia Newton-John in 1974.

This undeniable talent scored a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her first single, "Bleeding Love", which is also currently #3 at Top 40 radio, making her, yes, again, the first British woman to top the charts in 21 years. She has gained endless comparisons to powerhouse divas such as Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston, with the likes of her graceful, booming vocals. Quite impressive acknowledgements for this young female artist (and she agrees). "Those women are the true divas," Lewis testifies. "They're amazing performers whom I've listened to for years. These are the people who've inspired me to sing, so it's flattering that I'm being compared to them. But I have a lot of hard work to do first!"

Lewis' debut album, "Spirit" is co-produced by the legendary music executive Clive Davis and American Idol's Simon Cowell, and she has already made major TV appearances on Oprah Winfrey, Good Morning America, and Jay Leno, among others, winning over admirers at an unstoppable speed. Incredible things are still to come for this rising star — watch Leona's incredible success continue to grow worldwide!

For more information on Leona Lewis, visit:
http://www.myspace.com/leonalewis
http://www.youtube.com/leonalewis

Official website: www.leonalewismusic.co.uk
]]>
Multi-platinum selling pop singer Clay Aiken will release his fourth album, On My Way Here, on RCA Records/19 Entertainment on May 6th, 2008. The collection is the 29-year-old Raleigh, NC, native's first album of original songs since his 2003 chart-topping, double-platinum debut Measure of a Man.

On My Way Here chronicles Aiken's experiences over the past five years, ascending from popular contestant on the second season of American Idol to pop superstar. The album's theme came to Aiken when he and his executive producer Jaymes Foster fell in love with a song written by One Republic frontman Ryan Tedder called "On My Way Here." The message of the lyrics — how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults — struck a very deep chord with the artist. The title track "On My Way Here" will be the first radio single from the album to be released later this month. Additionally, the single, "On My Way Here" will premiere as an "AOL First Listen" on Monday, April 7th.

"I thought if we could find songs that relate to what's gone on in my life over the past five years and address what I've learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for my album," Aiken says. "Since I got into this business, I've learned so much about myself. I think this album covers how far I've come, personally and professionally."

The chance to record new material was an opportunity Aiken didn't want to miss. His previous two albums, 2004's Merry Christmas with Love (which went platinum within six weeks of its release) and 2006's gold-certified A Thousand Different Ways, featured 10 cover versions of well-known songs popularized by Celine Dion, Elton John, and Dolly Parton. Aiken's vocal performances on songs like "As Long as We're Here," about not waiting until it's too late to tell someone you love them, and "The Real Me," about being in the public eye, resonate with the kind of emotion that can only come from someone who's experienced this firsthand. "Although," Aiken says, "it was important to me that the songs be interpretable in all kinds of ways. People should be able to find their own meaning in the lyrics."

On My Way Here will be released just as Aiken finishes up his Broadway run playing Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python's Spamalot. Since January, Aiken has spent his days in the recording studio with On My Way Here's Grammy Award-winning British producer Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti), and his nights onstage in Spamalot. "I guess I'm a glutton for punishment," he says with a laugh.

For more on Clay Aiken, please visit his official website www.clayaiken.com.

Official website: clayaiken.com
]]>
Usher's newest single, "Love In This Club," features Young Jeezy, and is co-written by Usher and produced by Polow Da Don. The smash hit currently sits in top three on both the CHR Radio Charts and the Telus and Rogers Ringtone Download Charts and holds the #1 spot for full track downloads at Rogers. The song is the lead single from his forthcoming, fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The video for "Love In This Club" was directed by the rising directing tandem of the Brothers Strause and will have its worldwide debut on April 7th.

Slated for global release on May 27th, Here I Stand is Usher's follow-up to his history-making, 9x platinum-selling (6x platinum in Canada) Confessions. Within the first week of the release of Confessions, Usher sold more than any other R&B artist in the history of SoundScan. In Canada the album spawned five top 5 hits at radio (including two #1s Yeah and Caught up) and four #1 hits at video. Usher spent 40 weeks in the No. 1 position on The Billboard Hot 100- which is more than any other male artist in the nearly 50 year history of the chart. Worldwide, the multi-talented, five-time Grammy-winner, musician and actor has sold nearly 14 million copies of Confessions and it earned a multitude of honors including MTV, BET, and People's Choice awards.

Over the span of his 14-year career, Usher has sold close to 26 million albums worldwide and combining all of his single, album and DVD sales, he's sold in excess of 36 million units globally. With four studio albums, the eponymous first release, Usher (1994) and multi-platinum albums, the 2x-platinum My Way (1997),the 2x-platinum 8701 (2001), and the 6x-platinum Confessions (2004) and one gold-certified live album simply titled Live (1999), and a string of #1 hit singles including "U Remind Me," "U Got It Bad," "Yeah," "Burn," and "My Boo" Usher's return to the top of the charts is inevitable. The Tennessee-born, Atlanta raised performer, songwriter, producer, dancer, actor started his multi-faceted career at the age of 15-years old.

Usher Raymond IV has achieved what few other contemporary entertainers have ever accomplished. He most recently launched a successful line of signature fragrances, actively heads up his own charity, New Look Foundation, a camp for teens that teaches them about the entertainment business, and he is part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.

Official website: www.usherworld.com
]]>
Cohen is arguably the greatest singer songwriter of modern times. At his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, he was recognized by Lou Reed as, "Without question one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater mystery and depth as time goes one." Among those inducted with Cohen were Madonna, John Mellencamp The Dave Clark Five, and the Ventures.

His songs have been famously covered by the great and the good, each version a fascinating attempt to move closer to Cohen's enigmatic muse. From Judy Collins' "Suzanne" to Jeff Buckley's seminal rendition of "Hallelujah," Cohen's songs have traveled as far and wide as their author. U2, REM, Sting, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright and the late Johnny Cash are among other famous devotees. It is estimated that his songbook has been covered over 1,330 times by other recording artists.

In 2008, Cohen's live tour will be as varied as his influence. He plays the UK's legendary Glastonbury Festival on June 29, for 150,000 fans. The Montreux Jazz Festival and Spain's Bennicasim are also stand out dates among arena shows at the O2 in London and more intimate dates such as Toronto's Sony Centre and the Manchester's Opera House in the UK. Rob Hallett from AEG Live said, "For many this tour will be the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the legend that is Leonard Cohen. We as a company are honored to bring this long rumored tour to reality across the globe."

In all, the tour will take in fans from intimate theatres to rock festivals proving the remarkable reach of Cohen's words and music across nations and generations. He will be joined by world renowned musicians: Roscoe Beck (bass & vocals, music director) Neil Larsen (keyboard, accordion, brass instruments), Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar & vocals), Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, oud & misc. string instruments), Christine Wu (violin, viola, cello & keyboard), Rafael Gayol (drums & percussion) and Dino Soldo (keyboard, saxophone, wind instruments & vocals).

Cohen has been a SONY/BMG recording artist for his entire career. He continues as an active songwriter with much anticipated new work that is planned for release later this year.

Cohen is beyond comparison and a true original, providing some of music and literature's most illuminating writing on love, sex, death and religion.

This is a world tour of epic proportions, but it is something even more than that. Leonard Cohen's eagerly anticipated return to the stage after all these years is nothing short of musical history in the making.

Leonard Cohen's up-to-date World Tour Itinerary can be seen under the Tour section of his Official Website.

Official website: www.leonardcohen.com
]]>
This latest #1 SoundScan debut follows the #1 debut of Céline's French-language album, D'elles, in May of this year, garnering Céline the two highest sales entries in Canada (for two different albums) so far this year - an unprecedented achievement in Canadian SoundScan history.

Céline Dion sets out in a bold new creative direction with Taking Chances, perhaps the most personal and revelatory collection of songs and performances in her fabled career. Fans around the world have embraced this new era in Céline's extraordinary career with sales around the world placing Taking Chances in the Top 10 sales charts in well over a dozen countries, including #2 chart debuts in France, Japan, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden, and propelling the album to the
number #1 position on Billboard's pan-European top 100 sales chart.

On December 15th, 2007, Céline Dion's record breaking engagement of A NEW DAY... at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, ends its remarkable journey of five consecutive years of sold-out performances, playing to nearly 3 million people. She embarks on her Taking Chances World Tour with stops in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe, before returning to the US and Canada in summer 2008.

Céline Dion was recently bestowed the 2007 World Music Awards' - Legend Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music - honouring "a top recording artist in recognition of their global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry."

Official website: www.celinedion.com
]]>