UTM Blog

Wexler1 Jerry Wexler, a record producer known for his contributions to music through recordings by such greats as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, died August 15 in Sarasota, Florida. He was 91. The cause of death was congenital heart disease.

Wexler was born January 10, 1917 in New York City to Polish immigrants who steered him to pursue a career in journalism, a path he choose after serving in World World II and earning a college degree. During his tenure as a writer for Billboard magazine in the 1940s, Wexler coined the term “rhythm and blues” for the magazine’s black music charts. While at Billboard, Wexler met Ahmet Ertegun and forged a friendship that lead to his position as co-director of Atlantic Records, a then small r&b label in New York.

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So we went to Robin Thicke’s listening party tonight to catch a glimpse of his new album.  I must be honest and admit that I wasn’t a huge Robin Thicke fan before. (read wasn’t)  I felt personally that he wasn’t that exciting vocally and therefore no big deal.  The Evolution of album was boreing to me in that I only heard a couple of notes come out of his mouth, was tired of his whisper like voice and felt that it was just flat as far as range is concerned.

BUT…OMG, this album sounds amazing.  He’s actually opening his mouth and running around, up and down all kinds of notes.  On top of everything, he’s very personable and took the time to introduce each track and give us the inspiration behind it.  Not the first artist to do it this way, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen an artist on his level take the time.

So anywayz, I now know what my UTM crew has been trying to tell me all along.  This mans got talent.  Look for the new album.

Disc Maker’s Elite Artist Services:

Supporting a New Indie Era

By: Mut Asheru

It was just a matter of time before CD/DVD manufacturing company Disc Maker’s ventured into the record label arena.  With the love of independent creativity at their foundation, they believe they have now found a way to make the transition from label deals into the indie market a smooth process for established artists that were signed to and distributed by major and indie labels alike.

Enter their Elite Artist Services division, a program that’s meant to be a turnkey process that will allow artists to keep a larger chunk of their own monies.

“Our goal is to give artists a greater opportunity for profit margins. To my knowledge there’s not a company in the world offering these services in this fashion,” says Jeff Epstein, Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

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New album time for the GZA.  Pro Tools is getting all kinds of accolades as being crazy good.  We can’t really say because we didn’t recieve any pre release for ourselves.  But we’re happy to post the press release.  There are some tools to help you get a sneak peak attached.  Enjoy!
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Artist Jackson Browne has sued McCain and the Ohio and National Republic party for use of his songs in one of their campaign ads criticizing Obama.  As a well known liberal and enviornmental supporter, he says that using it gives the wrong impression that he endorses the candidate.  And get this…they used it without his permission.  Straight up copywright infringement.

They pulled the ad once Browne protested but here’s the thing; Robert Bennett, chairman of the Ohio party, said the ad was pulled when Browne objected. He called the lawsuit a “big to-do about nothing.”

I would love to hear what other artists (indie and major; signed and unsigned) think about that statement.

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