The Universal Music Group has signed an agreement with Starbucks' music company Hear Music which will see them distribute the previously reported new Paul McCartney album worldwide. As previously reported, the latest Macca solo effort, 'Memory Almost Full', is the first release of the recently stepped up Starbucks music outfit, now a joint venture with the Concord Music Group. Universal will distribute the album as part of a longer term partnership with Hear Music.
Confirming the deal, Universal International top man Lucian Grainge told reporters: "The opportunity to bring new music by Paul McCartney to his millions of fans worldwide comes along once in a lifetime. We're excited by this ground-breaking partnership with Hear Music, Starbucks and Concord. Everyone at Universal Music is determined to create new milestones for the popularity of Paul's work".
Hear Music chief Ken Lombard added: "Our goal at Hear Music is to seek out and develop artists with a keen sense of purpose and we are committed to connecting those artists to the widest audience possible. We are proud to team with Universal Music Group to deliver great music from Hear Music artists to traditional music channels around the world".
The relationship with Universal is not an especially surprising move on Hear Music's part, parent company Concord having had an international distribution agreement with the uber-major since 2004.