AMAZON SEND LETTER TO LABELS OVER CLOUD PLAYER
Amazon have sent a letter to the major record companies that could have been titled "please don't sue us, pretty please, go on, leave it alone, you know want to". Or perhaps "don't you dare sue us you fuckers, cos the law is on our side thank you very muchos". Depends what voice you use in your head when you read it I suppose.

The letter, from Amazon's Music Team, starts by insisting that the etailer's recently launched cloud locker and player service is already helping them sell more MP3s, which will, of course, benefit the music industry. Although they don't provide any hard stats to back up that claim, they are obviously keen to push the idea that Amazon offering cloud-based MP3 storage to its customers, and the facility to play tracks from that online store via any net connected device, is really just a clever ruse to sell more MP3s.

They are keen to promote that idea, of course, because senior execs at many record labels and music publishers expressed concern when Amazon's Cloud Drive and Player service went live all of a sudden last month, because the new service is unlicensed.

Many content owners believe that when tech companies start selling digital locker services that are specifically designed for music files, and especially when the service includes a playback player, some sort of licence from the record labels and music publishers is required.

And at least one label could sue Amazon to try and have that viewpoint enforced in court. But one of the messages in the web firm's letter to the labels was that any such action would be counterproductive because, while the record companies do not earn directly from the new cloud service, they do earn indirectly if it leads to a rise in sales via AmazonMP3.com.

But, possibly aware that little carrot was unlikely to work, the letter goes on to restate Amazon's position regarding the need for a licence for their storage service - ie that they don't need one. According to Billboard, the letter reads: "There has also been speculation that we are looking for licences for Cloud Drive and Cloud Player. We are not looking for licenses for Cloud Drive or Cloud Player as they exist today - as no licensees are required".

Dealing with the argument that it's the player bit of the new service that differentiates it from other existing unlicensed digital storage systems on the market, many of which can be used to store MP3 files, the letter adds: "Cloud Player is a media management and play-back application not unlike Windows Media Player and any number of other media management applications that let customers manage and play their music. It requires a license from content owners no more than those applications do. It really is that simple".

But let's not end the letter in such a blunt potentially confrontational way, no, add another little carrot in there. Amazon add that they have plans to add more opt-in functionality to their Cloud Player in due course which may well need a licence - in their opinion - and therefore the web firm could, as yet, be on the phone looking to spend some more money with the music owners. Assuming, presumably, said music owners don't get their lawyers busy on the Cloud Drive and Player as it currently stands.

It will be interesting to see what the major music companies' next move will be.

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GOOGLE TAKES DOWN ONEBOX - IS IT PREPPING LOCKER LAUNCH?
Google has temporarily taken down its enhanced music search service OneBox, which only ever went live in the US, with promises that when it returns it will do so in an all new, all improved way, possibly with extra zing.

This has led to widespread speculation that Google is close to putting its long expected cloud storage and player service live, and that OneBox-style music search functionality will be bundled into that, rather than existing as a stand alone thing.

It's known Google is now beta testing its music-based digital-locker, while some techie types have stumbled across a version online. It's also known an Android app for the new locker service is ready to go.

But it is also thought Google wants to launch its locker with the music industry's blessing, unlike rivals Amazon. How quickly the web giant can score label and publisher endorsements remains to be seen, but it could take sometime longer than getting the technology right.

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BYRNE SETTLES WITH COPYRIGHT INFRINGING FORMER GOVERNOR
Charlie Crist, the former governor of Florida - most recently in the music news for posthumously pardoning Jim Morrison over an indecent exposure charge applied to The Doors frontman back in 1969 - has reached an out of court settlement with David Byrne, who sued the politician last year after he used the Talking Heads classic 'Road To Nowhere' in a YouTube video attacking a political rival without permission. Doing so counted as an unlicensed sync, of course, which constitutes copyright infringement.

Crist met with Byrne himself to discuss the million dollar lawsuit last week, and reached a settlement, the specific details of which are not known, though it included Crist posting a video online apologising for the infringement.

Commenting on his meeting with Crist, the political dude said the Talking Heads man "couldn't have been a better guy", adding: "As I told him, I was sorry it ever happened at all. He couldn't have been more of a gentleman about it". Crist blamed his ad agency for not getting permission to use the song, though I think they blamed him.

Byrne, for his part, noted that an increasing number of American politicians seemed to be using pop songs in online campaign videos without permission, and said he worried many other affected musicians didn't have the time or money to enforce their rights.

Byrne: "It turns out I am one of the few artists who has the bucks and guts to challenge such usage. I'm feeling very manly after my trip to Tampa! Other artists may actually have the anger but not want to take the time and risk the legal bills. I am lucky that I can do that. Anyway, my hope is that by standing up to this practice maybe it can be made to be a less common option, or better yet an option that is never taken in the future".

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MERLIN SETTLE WITH XM OVER RECORDABLE RADIO DEVICE
Also settling a lawsuit this week is indie label digital rights body Merlin, which has reached a settlement with US satellite radio giant Sirius XM over the Pioneer Inno recordable radio device.

This device, made by Pioneer in partnership with XM, not only lets users record live radio programmes for future listening, but also lets users pull out individual tracks and plonk them into a playlist which can then be played on demand. Although tracks cannot be transferred off the radio device, when the Pioneer Inno first arrived on the scene most record labels argued the individual track storage element of the system was not covered by XM's existing music licences.

Litigation followed, with XM reaching a settlement with each of the majors between 2007 and 2008. But the radio firm was less compliant with the independents, until now. Because Merlin's lawsuit became a class action, the terms of this week's settlement will apply to all independent labels whose music was played on the XM network between 2006 and 2010, and not just those indies formally affiliated to Merlin. Which is rather cool.

Merlin man Charles Caldas told CMU: "This is an important settlement, not just for Merlin's members, but also, I am pleased to say, for the independent community at large. This announcement underlines the value that Merlin has brought to its members by creating a body that ensures that they, and not just the major labels, have the opportunity to benefit from settlements such as this one".

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GIL ROBBINS DIES
Folk singer Gil Robbins, a member of the sixties group Highwaymen and the father of actor Tim Robbins, died at his home in Mexico last weekend.

Brought up in Southern California, Robbins studied music at the University Of California in LA, and subsequently became well-known on the New York folk scene as a member of the Cumberland Three and the Belafonte Singers. He joined the Highwaymen in 1962, and although only with the band for two years before they split up in 1964, managed to provide vocals to five albums. Although their biggest hit, 'Michael', preceded Robbins time in the band, he had a notable impact, in particular making the group's music more political.

After the Highwaymen, Robbins managed the Gaslight Club in New York's Greenwich Village, and also dabbled with a bit of acting, appearing in off-Broadway productions and taking small roles in a number of films, including 1995's 'Dead Man Walking', directed by his son Tim. He also worked as a vocal coach and had a cameo in 'Bob Roberts', a Tim Robbins film about a right-wing, folk-singing US Senate candidate.

Paying tribute to his father this weekend, Tim Robbins told the Associated Press that Gil had been "a fantastic father, a great musician and a man of unshakeable integrity", adding: "His commitment to social justice was evident to us from an early age, as was his infectious mischievous sense of humour. His passing has created great sadness for all of us and our mother but we take comfort in knowing that the angels will soon be soothed by the songs coming from his beautiful baritone voice".

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ANNIE LENNOX TO GET SILVER CLEF
This year's Silver Clef Award, presented to a music type annually at a dinner in aid of the Nordoff Robbins charity, will go to Annie Lennox. Says Annie: "I am thrilled and honoured to be receiving the O2 Silver Clef Award from NordoffRobbins. I've supported Nordoff Robbins over the years and I'm a firm believer in their work and the healing power of music". The award will be presented on Friday 1 Jul.

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EVANESCENCE RE-RECRUIT FORMER GUITARIST
Evanescence - remember them, sorry, have I just brought back some bad memories? - have recruited back a former guitarist to help with an in development third album. Troy McLawhorn toured with Evanescence in 2007 and 2008, but has since been mainly working with South African alt-metallers Seether. However, they announced McLawhorn had left their band last month, strongly indicating he was returning to Evanesence's Amy Lee, and that has now seemingly been confirmed. Lee, McLawhorn et al apparently hope to have a new long player out by the end of the year.

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PLANS AFOOT FOR AN ALL-STAR LONDON 2012 THEME
According to the Mirror, organisers of the London Olympics are hoping to persuade Coldplay, Muse and Damon Albarn to collaborate on some sort of theme for the games. Can you imagine how awful that could be? The tabloid's sources, though, seem to suggest these artists are only on a wish list as yet, and initial approaches are only just being made. It's thought both Coldplay and Joss Stone have also both been approached about performing at the opening ceremony.

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CRIBS EXPLAIN JOHNNY MARR'S DEPARTURE
The Cribs have explained via their website why Johnny Marr has left the group after playing with them for four years. The band - Ryan, Gary and Ross Jarman - posted their message on Thecribs.com, explaining how sessions for a new album with the former Smiths guitarist didn't come together.

They wrote: "There were definite intentions of continuing on together and making another record. We even went into the studio with Edwyn Collins again last spring and started recording some stuff, but it just wasn't really working. We were all pretty burnt at that point and that is why we decided that after eight years and four records we should take some time off."

They continued: "During that time we all intended on working on other projects. At some point late last year we just casually got together out in Portland as a three-piece and it was so much fun. Johnny had started working on a solo record in the time off, and it just seemed like the right time to go our separate ways. We have a bunch of new songs and are embracing the lo-fi again. It never was about fancy studios and LA and all that. We are back in our usual environment and feeling good about it. We've got everything we need".

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ARCTIC MONKEYS STREAMING NEW SINGLE
The first proper single from Arctic Monkeys' forthcoming new album is currently streaming via the band's website. 'Don't Sit Down Because I've Moved Your Chair' is the first official release from the new LP, 'Suck It And See'.

On its formal release, the single will be accompanied by two other tracks, the previously previewed online 'Brick By Brick' and new song 'IDST'. This digital version of this package will be released on 31 May I think, ahead of the physical release on 6 Jun.

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PAUL MCCARTNEY COVERS ALBUM IN THE WORKS
Kiss, Billy Joel and The Cure are among a bunch of artists set to cover songs by Paul McCartney, apparently, for an album being put together by Macca himself. According to The Sun, McCartney handpicked the artists who will appear on the covers album. He also persuaded The Cure to let his son James appear on their cover. The Sun quote one of those sources as saying: "James was over the moon at playing with The Cure. He's always been a big fan. They all went into a studio in Sussex and hung out together".

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NEW TOM VEK, HURRAH!
Aha, Mr Tom Vek is coming back, which is rather fine news if, like me, 'We Have Sound' was one of your favourite albums of 2005. After a six year break, a new Vek single is due to arrive on radio next week called 'A Chore', with a second album, 'Leisure Seizure', to follow later in the year. It better live up to my now very high expecations, Tom. No pressure or anything.

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NEW EMMY THE GREAT, HURRAH!
That's more like it, get album number two out within two years of your original. Emmy The Great's second long player has been confirmed for a 13 Jun release. Called 'Virtue', it's been produced by Gareth Jones, who has previously worked with the likes of These New Puritans and Grizzly Bear. The new record's release will be preceded by three shows on 8, 9 and 10 Jun at St Pancras Church in London.

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DAN MANGAN TOUR
Loverly Canadian singer-songwriter type Dan Mangan will be back in the UK in June to play songs. Dates as follows...

16 Jun: Bodega, Nottingham
17 Jun: Little Room @ Independent, Sunderland
18 Jun: Oran Mor, Glasgow
20 Jun: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
21 Jun: Deaf Institute, Manchester
23 Jun: St Pancras Church, London
26 Jun: Glastonbury Festival

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CAMP CELEBRATE ONE YEAR (AND A BIT) IN BUSINESS
The CAMP venue on City Road reckon we've never plugged them, which seems hard to believe, given they're a stone's throw from CMU HQ and I'd have expected them to start throwing stones by now if we really have overlooked their cool programme of club nights and such like. Vigsy swears he tipped them once, but he swears a lot of things.

Anyway, The CAMP is celebrating one year in business with a special party at the start of this month's Easter weekend. Says Team CAMP: "For our anniversary party we invited some of the DJs, residents and crews who have played here over the last year to spin a few records, back to back. Some were away, some were washing their hair, but lots said yes. So, red hot and reading like a line up you'd hear on a pirate radio advert, 10 arenas! 50 DJS! 47 MCs!, we bring you The CAMP anniversary party. An early evening party to celebrate the start of a long, sunny Easter weekend and a year (and a bit) of The CAMP".

On the bill for the 21 Apr night are DJ sets from Deviation, secretsundaze , Livin' Proof, Get Me!, To The Bone, Cosmic Truth, Phonica, Electric Minds, Bridging The Gap, Classic Material, No Fit State, Silence, Holic, Hipsters Don't Dance, Selective Pressure, Revive Her!, Drop The Bomb, FixedFear, Futuristix and more TBA. More at www.thecamplondon.com

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FESTIVAL LINE-UP UPDATE

BEAUTIFUL DAYS, Escot Park, Devon, 19-21 Aug: I Am Kloot, Flogging Molly, Pop Will Eat Itself and Stereo MCs are the latest confirmations for Devon's Beautiful Days, with Gentlemen's Dub Club, Alabama 3 and The Blockheads adding further variety to a diverse line-up that's topped by Big Audio Dynamite, Gogol Bordello, Carter USM and festival founders The Levellers. www.beautifuldays.org

BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART, Belladrum Estate, Beauly, Scotland, 5-6 Aug: Heading up proceedings at the lo-fi-favouring fest are Texas and Deacon Blue, with Newton Faulkner, Frank Turner, Little Comets and Dry The River also featuring high on the first list of acts confirmed. www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk

HARD ROCK CALLING, Hyde Park, London, 24-26 Jun: Iconic frontman Adam Ant will be charming festival goers with a set of guaranteed hits, accompanied by The Good, The Mad & The Lovely Posse. US rockers Train are also fresh on the bill, alongside fellow line-up newbies Barenaked Ladies, Mike & The Mechanics and Starsailor frontman James Walsh. Meanwhile, Rumer and The Lighthouse Family will fulfill the easy listening quota of the three-day rock riot, joining existing co-headliners Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi. www.hardrockcalling.co.uk/2011/lineup

KALEIDESCOPE FESTIVAL, Kinkell Farm, St Andrews, Scotland, 30 Sept-2 Oct: This most intimate of eco-friendly boutique fests is to host such niche acts as Fink, Peatbog Faeries, Tayo, Stanley Odd, Found, Hidden Orchestra, Horndog Brass Band, Hope & Social, Dr Meaker, John Langan Band and Flooting Grooves, with headliners yet to be announced. www.kaleidoscopefestival.co.uk

LOUNGE ON THE FARM, Merton Farm, Canterbury, Kent, 8-10 Jul: The Vaccines, Braids, Visions Of Trees and Big Deal are a few of the choicest cuts from the most recent portion of LOTF line-up announcements, with Cast and Dry The River also newly poised to perform alongside an established roster that includes Ellie Goulding, The Streets, Echo & The Bunnyment and Katy B. www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk

SONISPHERE, Knebworth Park, 8-10 Aug: Bad Religion, Cavalera Conspiracy, Sylosis and Richard Cheese lead an array of all-new hard rock acts set to showcase their skills at this year's annual decibel-smashing celebration, with Cancer Bats, Hayseed Dixie, My Passion and Pulled Apart By Horses also amongst the latest introductions to the line-up. The previously-announced bill already boasts rock's 'big four' of Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth. uk.sonispherefestivals.com

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REID SAYS NOT BEING AT IDJ IS HARD
Former Island Def Jam exec and now full time 'X-Factor USA' judge LA Reid has admitted it's hard not being on the inside of a major record company anymore.

Talking to MTV he said: "I loved the artist roster that we created at Island Def Jam and I love the company and yes, it was difficult. It still is difficult. This morning I heard about a remix that Rihanna did with Britney Spears [for 'S&M'] and I was like, 'It's the first time some music has been done that I wasn't involved with and I don't know if I like that or not.' I don't know".

He added, somewhat tongue in cheek: "I don't like anybody tampering with my Rihanna. Doesn't matter [what the song sounds like]! I didn't do it. No, I think it'll be great, but it was very difficult to leave. It wasn't difficult to decide to do 'X Factor', it was difficult to walk away from this amazing roster and amazing staff of people and all the executives that were there that was tough".

Of course gossipers reckon Reid really stood down because of upcoming changes at Island Def Jam parent company Universal Music, and also that he'll likely join former boss Doug Morris over at 'X-Factor' owning Sony Music anyway, so shouldn't be out of an A&R role for too long.

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NEW BREAKFAST HOSTS AT CHOICE
Choice FM have announced the recruitment of MTV presenters Kojo and Max to take over as hosts of their breakfast show. Current breakfast host Martin Jay will move to weekend's on the Global Radio-owned London urban station.

Says Kojo: "I'm really proud to take Choice into a new chapter with my lovely co-host Max and I can't wait to get started. Let the fun begin!"

Says Max: "It's so exciting to be a part of the Choice team. The station is edgy and cool - great for young London. I'm looking forward to working with Kojo and taking things to the next level".

If you're paying extra special attention to these things, I can also tell you that Dave Kelly, currently late show presenter with Capital FM, will soon be moving to Bauer's Radio City in Liverpool to present drive time.

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GEORGE MICHAEL TO RECORD SONG FOR KATE AND WILLS
George Michael says he is planning to record a song to commemorate the upcoming Royal Wedding, and he's asking his fans on Twitter to decide which song he should sing. I think he plans to record the song and stick it up online ahead of William and Kate's big day. He seems rather exiting about the pending royal marriage, it has to be said. Perhaps he feels guilty about not providing William with a song when specifically asked to do so in the dim and distant past.

Michael revealed via Twitter this week: "I only ever met him [William] twice, but he was such a nice kid. Actually he asked me to sing!!! He was only eight! It was a Xmas party at Kensington Palace, and believe it or not I'm too shy to sing to small numbers of people ... So I said no ... it was excruciating, his little Xmas smile disappeared, but the only people I knew in the room were Diana and Elton! So I bloody said no to the future king of my country ... oh the shame".

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