SLABOVIAN ELECTION SIGNALS MORE OF THE SAME
Slabovians are flocking to State-Approved Voting And Interrogation Hut #14 to cast their vote for General Gregory Schmerdiakov in this week's general election. And state-approved opinion polls are suggesting that The General is on tract for a resounding victory against himself.

The communist dictatorship has instigated a system of electorial democracy to attract Westerners to its cold and desolate wastelands, in the hope of one day becoming bigger and smarter than America. All citizens are allowed to vote, providing they vote for The General (the only candidate on the ballot paper).

Schmerdiakov is preparing for a 29th term in office and has invited newly elected American president Barak Obama to join him for a polite phone call to congratulate him on his anticipated success followed by the traditional barrage of anti-capitalist insults.

www.slabovia.tv

PLANET HIP HOP HAPPY WITH THE COUNT
So, how to get the historic election result in America into our daily music news bulletin. Easy, just turn to planet hip hop for some political comment.

First up, Jay Z, who took to the mic as voting began yesterday to encourage his fans to cast their vote for Barack Obama. According to the Philadelphia Enquirer he told black America: "I need y'all to be really, really quiet for this. I need you to really understand what I'm telling you. Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama's running so we all can fly".

P Diddy, meanwhile, told reporters what it felt like to vote for Obama at his local Manhattan polling station yesterday. Diddy: "I felt like my vote was the vote that put him into office. It was down to one vote, and that was going to be my vote. And that may not be true, but that's how much power it felt like I had. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but I just felt like, Martin Luther King, and I felt the whole civil rights movement, I felt all that energy, and I felt my kids. It was all there at one time. It was a joyous moment".

Finally in our hip hop election round up, Nas has recorded a track to commemorate Obama's historic win at the polls. The new song, called 'Election Night', was apparently conceived over a dinner Monday night in Norway of all places. Nas is on tour there, and recorded the track with producer DJ Green Lantern, who told MTV yesterday: "I'm currently on tour in Europe with Nas and we were at dinner last night talking about how crazy it is that we're not in the states on Election Day. Someone quoted a verse from [recent Nas album track] 'Black President', when he said 'What's the Black Prez thinkin' on Election Night?' And Nas said, 'Set up the mic - I'm gonna speak on that'. And the result is 'Election Night'".

You can hear the song at this here URL: www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=29189

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SOULJA BOY BACKS THE SLAVE TRADE
More pop politics, and Soulja Boy has drawn criticism after thanking American slave masters at an awards ceremony in Atlanta.

In an interview with former Rolling Stone journalist Toure at the BET Hip Hop last month, the 18 year old rapper was asked which historical or political figure he hated the most. When he was unable to come up with an answer, Toure told him that other musicians had said "Hitler, bin Laden, the slave masters..." This prompted Soulja to say: "Oh wait! Hold up! Shout out to the slave masters! Without them we'd still be in Africa. We wouldn't be here to get this ice and tattoos".

Since a full transcript of the interview was published on The Daily Beast, the rapper's comments have been criticised by many bloggers. Others, however, have dismissed the comments, saying that Soulja Boy is too young to know better.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

"DRINK MAKES HIM A DEMON": SPECTOR TRIAL UPDATE
So, Joan Rivers' manager Dorothy Melvin was back on the witness stand yesterday as the Phil Spector retrial continued. As previously reported, she's an ex-girlfriend of the legendary producer, and is one of the witnesses being presented by the prosecution with one of those "Oh my God, Phil can turn into a dangerous loon when he wants to" stories.

She told the court that her ex was a real "charmer" but that when he drank his personality changed completely. "When he's drinking", she said, "he loses it and becomes a demon". But she admitted that she had tolerated his bizarre behaviour because the good times were good. Asked about Spector's foul language ("all women are cunts", that kind of thing) she confirmed the producer could be quite sweary, but added that that's not unusual for the entertainment industry.

She was asked, also, to corroborate the testimony of first prosecution witness Vincent Tannazzo who, as previously reported, told the court for a second time this week about an incident at one of Rivers' Christmas parties where he was working as a security guard. It was there that Spector allegedly said "all women were cunts and they all deserve a bullet in their heads", or words to that effect.

As also previously reported, Spector's defence team objected on Monday when the prosecution started to ask Melvin about the party on the rather strange basis it was unfair to do so because no such questions had been asked at the first trial. But Judge Larry Paul Fidler allowed the questions to be asked yesterday, and Melvin confirmed Spector's ranty and misogynistic behaviour at the Rivers party. She also revealed how she had once seen Spector chase some young people with a gun because they had mistaken him for actor Dudley Moore.

Returning to the story at the heart of Melvin's original testimony, of how Spector had once hit her and then chased her off his property after turning loopy one night, the prosecution played a phone message the producer had left the artist manager after that incident. In it Spector apologises for striking her with a gun and for chasing her down his driveway, but he adds somewhat mysteriously: "Be very careful what you say to me because nothing you say is worth your life". Adding that after that incident she never let herself be alone with Spector again, Melvin concluded: "I didn't want to be alone with Phil again. I thought he was dangerous".

The trial recessed early yesterday because apparently there was some election going on and it was thought that participants might want to vote. The hearings will continue later today.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

JHERYL BUSBY DIES
Jheryl Busby, former president and CEO of Motown Records, has died at the age of 59. It's not clear what caused his death, but his body was found in a hot tub at his home in Malibu, and an LA County Assistant Coroner, Ed Winter, has suggested that it may be the result of an accident, or natural causes.

Busby began his career in music at Stax Records, where he advanced to become responsible for West Coast promotion and marketing. After leaving Stax, he worked on promotions for a number of labels, including CBS, A&M and Atlantic. He joined MCA Records in 1984, and by 1988 was president of its black music division, which boasted the likes of Patti LaBelle and New Edition on its roster. In 1988, Busby moved to Motown and during the course of his time there, signed up Boyz II Men and re-signed Diana Ross.

In 1998 Busby moved on to DreamWorks Records, as head of their urban division, staying only a few years before leaving in 2001. In 2004 he was named president of Def Jam division Def Soul Classics, and recently established Umbrella Recordings. Aside from his music interests, he was also a major shareholder in the US's first African-American-owned national bank, Founders National Bank of Los Angeles, alongside the likes of Janet Jackson and Magic Johnson.

Singer Smokey Robinson has paid tribute to Busby, saying in a statement: "I had tremendous respect for the way he continued the Motown legacy... My condolences to his family at this difficult time".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

NATHANIEL MAYER DIES
Rhythm & blues star Nathaniel Mayer has died at the age of 64 in his home town of Detroit, as a result of complications arising from a series of strokes.

The singer, known for his energetic vocal style scored his first hits in the sixties, but staged a comeback in 2002, and went on to collaborate with younger artists such as Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, prompting a resurgence of popularity after more than three decades away from the industry. His most recent album, 'Why Don't You Give To Me?', was released in August 2007.

The message on Mayer's MySpace reads: "It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our dear friend Nathaniel Mayer. After many months of complications and illnesses following a series of strokes, Nathaniel left us November 1, 2008. He will always be in our hearts".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SINGLE REVIEW: Styly Cee & Cappo - The H-Bomb EP (Son Records)
The Nottingham hip hop scene is one of the most under-appreciated music scenes in the UK and is long overdue some proper recognition as one of the most creative and innovative hubs of the genre in the world. As a rapper, Cappo is untouchable, a man who has a vast back catalogue of classic tracks, including my favourite hip hop track of all time, 'The Looniest', and can easily silence any remaining naysayers with his outstanding ability to freestyle live for hours on end. Teaming up with Styly Cee, another mainstay of the Nottingham scene, the pair have created this stunning EP, with an old school hardcore vibe. Using an excellent collection of heavy beats, funky guitars, fucked up strings and devastating vocal samples, including brilliant use of Jimi Hendrix on 'Time Will Tell', Styly has created the perfect complement to Cappo's heavy-accented, razor sharp flows. For these tracks, they've headed back to a fork in the hip hop road where everyone else went off in a different direction and prove that there was still plenty more to be explored down this route. AHM
Release Date: 10 Nov
Press Contact: Son Records IH [all]

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SATAN HELPS GLASS TO TOP OF COOL LIST
Crystal Castles' Alice Glass has topped the never uncool NME Cool List, beating the likes of Jay-Z and MGMT's Andrew VanWyngarden, who came in at numbers two and three respectively, and some other people who may or may not actually be cool.

Glass told the NME: "I'm flattered, thank you, but back in school the people who held themselves in the same regard were also the biggest waste of skin I've ever met... We need new idioms, we need to stop talking like beatniks".

She added: "Why did I get so many votes? My pact with Satan hasn't expired yet".

NME editor Conor McNicholas said: "The NME Cool List is the year's definitive list, acknowledging those who have - and have not - made the rock n' roll grade in 2008. It's a testament to the current eclectic scene that we can have a new pretender such as Alice Glass enthroned at the top alongside the likes of global rap megastar Jay-Z and British music icon Liam Gallagher".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

UNIVERSAL CHIEF TALKS UP NEW WINEHOUSE ALBUM
Universal Music International top man Lucian Grainge, who was honoured at the Music Industry Trust's annual dinner in London on Monday night of course, has been raving about the new material Amy Winehouse is currently working on.

Grainge told BBC 6music: "I've heard some demos and I've heard some simple acoustic songs that she's played me in my office on acoustic guitar, and what I've heard has been sensational. Of course [I think the best is yet to come from her], because I'm an optimist and I believe in her. I believe in her as a person and I certainly believe in her as an artist and that's what I hope for".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------

KILLERS AND ELTON TO RECORD XMAS SONG
The Killers and Elton John are set to record a Christmas song together, entitled, 'Joseph, Rather You Than Me', over the next few weeks. This will be The Killers' third Christmas song, following on from the previous download-only releases of 'A Great Big Sled' and 'Don't Shoot Me, Santa' in previous years.

Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci told the BBC: "I have a sneaky suspicion Elton is just going to want to get us in a room and just do a straight recording".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

GRAHAM COXON WORKING ON DOHERTY SOLO ALBUM
Babyshambles drummer Adam Ficek has revealed, under extreme interrogation, that Graham Coxon is working with Pete Doherty on the latter's forthcoming solo album. This confirms rumours to that effect sparked after a video appeared on YouTube of the duo performing Blur's 'You're So Great' together.

Speaking to Xfm, Ficek initially said he couldn't tell the station anything about Doherty's solo album, but after continued questioning said that someone whose name rhymes with "layham hoxon" was working on it, came right out and said that it was Coxon.

He said: "It's not just musical with Graham, it's this whole sonic environment he creates and that's what has brought a really special edge to Peter's solo album... it's really interesting".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

MANICS WORK WITH RICHEY'S LYRICS
Manic Street Preachers have announced that they're working on an album using only lyrics written by lost band member Richey Edwards. As you are no doubt aware, Edwards went missing in 1995, and is still officially missing, I think, though he has long been presumed dead by many.

The band revealed the news via their website, saying in a statement: "Finally it feels like the right time to use them. We have been in the studio recording live - to tape - analogue - no digital hiss - no Pro Tools - no safety nets. Quite scary, daunting but invigorating. It's a record that celebrates the genius of [Edwards'] words, full of love, anger, intelligence and respect. We have to make this great. Wish us luck".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

FRANZ FERDINAND SINGLE/COMPETITION
Franz Ferdinand have announced that they'll release the first single from their upcoming new album in the new year. 'Ulysses' will be out on 19 Jan, a week ahead of the release of the aforementioned new LP, 'Tonight: Franz Ferdinand'.

The band have also announced that they're holding a competition to remix the track, in conjunction with www.beatport.com. Relevant bits of 'Ulysses' will be available to buy from 4 Nov for interested parties to remix, and their efforts will be judged by Beatport and the Beatport community, with a final winner being selected by the band themselves for digital release in January, to coincide with the release of the original single.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ELVIS SIGNS NEW PUBLISHING DEAL
Elvis Costello has signed a new, exclusive and worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group for his entire back catalogue of 27 albums and all future recordings. The company acquired Costello's back catalogue when it bought BMG Music Publishing and this new long term deal will leave Costello's songs in the company's control for the foreseeable future.

Europe and UK UMPG president, Paul Connolly said in a statement: "Elvis Costello is one of the greatest songwriters this country has ever produced and it is quite simply an honor to be working with him. The range and quality of his output over the last 30 years is truly astonishing and I am thrilled that we will be representing both his classic material and his new work".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SINGLE REVIEW: Violens - Violens EP (Deadly People)
This is their very first EP, but already it's obvious that Violens are wise beyond their years. With vocals that sound like The Shins doing their best Depeche Mode impression, and tracks that that embrace swirly sixties psychedelia whilst keeping a spring in their step, this four piece sit nicely between several very different genres, yet in doing so sound asserted as to their identity. Scuzzy guitars drive tight CS&N harmonies headlong into expansive choruses but the results always seem to be steered by obvious songwriting skill and confidence. It's not hard to see why this band have been picked to support MGMT this month, their quirky indie-pop should sit nicely with fans of the headliners. ME
Release Date: 10 Nov
Press Contact: Scruffy Bird [all]

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

JACKSON WON'T RESCHEDULE POSTPONED DATES
Representatives for Janet Jackson have said that she will not be rescheduling all of her postponed 'Rock Witchu' tour dates, and that ticket refunds will be available from the point of ticket purchase. As previously reported, the singer cancelled a number of gigs after being afflicted with vertigo.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

PRODIGY ANNOUNCE 2009 TOUR DATES
The Prodigy have announced UK arena dates for next year, with support from that Dizzee Rascal. The dates are expected to coincide with the band's forthcoming album, which is rumoured to be called 'Invaders Must Die'.

Tour dates:

5 Apr: Cardiff, International Arena
6 Apr: Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
7 Apr: Glasgow, SECC
9 Apr: Birmingham, NIA
10 Apr: Manchester, MEN Arena
11 Apr: Nottingham, Trent FM Arena
13 Apr: Sheffield, Arena
14 Apr: Brighton, Centre
17 Apr: London, Wembley Arena

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

GROOVE ARMADA TO PLAY EDINBURGH'S HOGMANAY
Groove Armada are to headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party this year, with a performance at the city's Princes Street Gardens supported by Paolo Nutini. There are four live stages for the event, which stretches over four days, and other acts lined up to appear include Belle and Sebastian, Hot Chip and Glasvegas.

Pete Irvine, creative director says this: "With the best emerging and established music acts and exciting new events, we've added a new dimension to the event that brings an explosive mix of energetic music and arts. Undoubtedly, to see the best bands and be part of one of the world's best parties, there really is no better place to be than Edinburgh".

Groove Armada's Andy Cato adds this: "What appeals to me about Edinburgh's Hogmanay is that it is the most famous celebration of that type in the world. I've never been to it and I want to be there".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

THOMAS TRUAX TOUR DATES
CMU favourite Thomas Truax has announced UK tour dates, which kick off tonight in Leeds. If you've not seen him before, do so at one of these dates. If you have seen him before, I imagine you're already planning to go to one of these.

Tour dates:

5 Nov: Leeds, HiFi Club
6 Nov: Manchester, Ruby Lounge
7 Nov: Gloucester, Guildhall
8 Nov: London, Stoke Newington International Airport: Lost Luggage
15 Nov: Cardiff, Swn Festival
6 Dec: Newcastle
7 Dec: Stockton, Waiting Room
8 Dec: York
10 Dec: Inverness, Market Bar
11 Dec: Aberdeen, The Tunnels
13 Dec: Glasgow, Twisted Wheel
14 Dec: Edinburgh, The Bongo Club
15 Dec: Sheffield, Grapes
16 Dec: Hull, Adelphi

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

JOHNNY FOREIGNER SINGLE AND FUTUREHEADS SUPPORT
Johnny Foreigner have announced that they will release a brand new double A-side single, 'DJ's Get Doubts/Lea Room' on 12 Jan. But before that, they'll be heading out on a tour of the UK as main support to The Futureheads.

Futureheads tour dates:

29 Nov: London, Astoria
30 Nov: Whitehaven, Civic Hall
2 Dec: Glasgow, ABC 2
3 Dec: Glasgow, ABC 2
5 Dec: Birmingham, Academy
6 Dec: Oxford, Academy
7 Dec: Norwich, Waterfront
8 Dec: Cardiff, Sub 29
20 Dec: York, Duchess

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

DVD REVIEW: Mika - Live At Parc Des Princes (Universal/Island)
Some people love Mika because he's a little bit mental. Others resent him for that. Proving that there's strength in numbers, the former of the two camps showed up in their thousands - fifty-five thousand, to be exact - to watch the eccentric falsetto in question play his biggest concert yet at Paris' famously gigantic Parc Des Princes stadium. Like a cross between 'Moulin Rouge' and Tim Burton's version of 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory', Mika's show is a visual feast of colour and oversized set-pieces, from the inflatable drink cartons rolling all over the crowd to the clowns-on-stilts ambling across the stage - there is nothing boring to look at. Mika runs through all of the familiar hits that saw 'Life In Cartoon Motion' sell millions and, as the concert itself lasts for nearly an hour and a half, manages to slip in a few surprises too, including an unpredictably fantastic cover of Depeche Mode's 'Just Can't Get Enough'. Other highlights include Mika's easily best song to date 'Happy Ending', and the two (yes, two of each) versions of 'Relax (Take it Easy)' and 'Grace Kelly'. And that's not even counting the brief interludes of surreal circus performances while the star of the show slips off for many a costume change. Like Kylie's famous (and famously expensive) 'Showgirl' tour, Mika's one-off show is a must-see for die-hard fans (and perhaps die-hard fans only). DVD extras include a Making Of documentary and a live performance of 'Grace Kelly' on Jools Holland's 'Hootenanny'. TW
Release Date: 10 Nov
Press Contact: Universal IH [all]

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SHARKEY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FURTHER LABEL/ISP COLLABORATIONS
Feargal Sharkey has told the annual conference of the Internet Service Providers' Association that he hopes there will soon be more progress in the collaboration between the record companies and net firms regarding the tackling of online piracy and the introduction of more licensed digital music services.

Sharkey, in his guise as CEO of recently established music business organisation UK Music, was speaking at the net provider's annual bash to encourage the six ISPs who entered into a Memorandum Of Understanding with record label trade body the BPI earlier this year to continue working with the record companies and the wider music industry on anti-piracy and digital service projects.

According to Music Week, an ISPA spokesman says both Sharkey and ISP reps at the London conference were optimistic that "some kind of agreement between rightholders and ISPs can be reached", adding that: "everyone wants to work together to make legal online models work".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

IPOD CREATOR LEAVES APPLE
The man credited with creating the iPod and iPhone is leaving Apple to spend more time with his family, a decision which some say may have an impact on the IT firm, or at least investor confidence in it.

As the Senior VP with direct responsibility for the market leading music player, Tony Fadell had been tipped by some to take over the top job at Apple if and when Steve Jobs retires, so his sudden departure has taken many by surprise.

According to reports, he will be replaced by former IBM executive Mark Papermaster, though IBM are reportedly trying to block that move, presumably through some sort of non-compete clause in his old employment contract.

Some wonder if Papermaster, a code and software man, is really the right person to replace Fadell who has been primarily involved in the creation of stylish hardware devices, though some reckon it is a sign that Apple recognise the real challenges to come in the digital content market aren't in the hardware domain, but in providing compelling content delivery and social networking tools. Or something like that.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SKY CHANNELS TO RETURN TO VIRGIN
Good news for me in my capacity as a Virgin Media customer.

Virgin and BSkyB announced yesterday that they had settled their long running and much previously reported dispute about how much the cable company should pay the satellite firm in order to provide their customers with Sky's non-premium channels.

As previously reported, the price dispute led to Sky One, Sky News and Sky Sports News being pulled from the Virgin network. But the dispute has now been solved and those channels will return to Virgin later this month.

The deal will also mean both companies will end their lawsuits in relation to the dispute.

Although the dispute meant Virgin could not offer their customers some of the flagship new American shows carried by Sky One, it also meant Sky's advertising department lost a sizable chunk of its potential audience overnight, so there were reasons why both sides would want to find some sort of settlement.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

LEADING BROADCASTING NAMES TOUTED FOR RADIO 2 TOP JOB
Radio 5 Live controller Bob Shennan, BBC yoof boss Andy Parfitt, GMG Radio CEO John Myers and Bauer Radio's Mark Story are all being touted for the top job at BBC Radio 2, one of the biggest jobs in British radio, following the resignation of incumbent Lesley Douglas in response to the Sachsgate affair. The Guardian quote one insider as saying of the job "it is the biggest job in radio - anybody who tells you they are not interested in it is clearly telling you an untruth", however, given the nature of Douglas' departure and the impact the whole Ross/Brand scenario has had on media and public opinion of Radio 2, some might have second thoughts about taking on the role at this time.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

BAND GET INVESTMENT SHOCKER
American band Francis & The Lights, who recently supported MGMT in New York, have registered themselves as a company and gained $100,000 investment from another music company.

Apparently this is radically different to going down the route of getting a record deal because in that situation the band would enter a business deal as a single entity with a record company who would invest money into the band. See? Completely different. They'll probably tell me it's all about who owns the master recordings, though I'm not always convinced that makes so much of a difference, depending on your label contract.

Anyway, Jake Lodwick from The Normative Music Company said: "[The band's frontman] Francis Starlite is an uncompromising musician and a strong leader. I believe he will bring Francis And The Lights to international stardom. As a fan of his music, I see no alternative. The traditional role of a 'manager' who makes strategic decisions is incompatible with a man whose vision requires absolute control of all artistic and business decisions".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

COWELL SAYS CHERYL MAY QUIT
According to the Daily Star, Simon Cowell says that Cheryl Cole might not make it to another series as an X-Factor judge, as she's found the commitment exhausting this time around. Cowell told the tabloid: "It's too early to say if Cheryl will be back. She's drained by it. You've got to get to the end of the show, give it a couple of weeks and go: 'Do I want to do it again?' If she says yes we'll welcome her back".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SPEARS WEBSITE MOCKS PAPS
Britney Spears' website has a new section on it, devoted to taking the piss out of the paparazzi, and featuring clips of the photographers suffering mishaps as they attempt to go about their business. A message on the site says: "Terrorising Britney has unfortunately become a daily part of the paparazzi's lives. So we've decided to start calling these maniacs out each week by awarding a 'paparazzie' to the worst of the worst".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

LEWIS MAY ADOPT AFRICAN BABY
Leona Lewis has said that a recent trip to Africa has convinced her that she should adopt a child.

She told MTV: "I definitely plan to adopt. My mum was a social worker and my dad was a youth offender officer, so I know that there are a lot of kids out there that need to be fostered and adopted. When I was in Africa I wanted to take home all the kids. They were so cute. All of them had been orphaned because of HIV and it was heart-rending. There are so many who need help - you just don't know where to start".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

HUCKNALL EXPECTED TO LOSE £25,000 ON BECKHAM BOOTS
Simply Red's Mick Hucknall is expected to lose around £25,000 when he sells a pair of boots once worn by David Beckham at auction today. The singer bought the boots at a garden party chez Beckham before the 2002 World Cup for £29,000. One boot bears the inscription, "To Mick, Best Wishes, David Beckham 7". Despite their celebrity connections, the boots are now expected to sell for between £3000 and £5000.

back to top