Microsoft’s new Zune MP3 player has finally started to take hold of the market despite its perceived obscurity among iPod users and the general public. Zune sales topped Sandisk’s players to become the #2 selling MP3 player, according to a recent report. A few of the device’s strengths like Zune-2-Zune sharing are readily available out of the box, while more features are being added to its arsenal as we write. Alternate firmware from Rockbox, enabling...

Prolific producer and founding member of Slum Village, J Dilla (R.I.P.) will have a rare EP, entitled Ruff Draft re-released on Stones Throw Records March 6, 2007. Completed around the time of his project with Madlib under the combined moniker Jaylib, the originally vinyl-only EP has become somewhat of a digger’s gem on Dilla’s own Mummy Records. Stones Throw is spicing up the deal with 4 previously unreleased songs that did not fit on the 2003...

In recognition of World AIDS Day, this coming Friday and Saturday (12/1 & 12/2) BAM (The Brooklyn Academy of Music) will hold a special tribute for the most influential and important Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti. His inimitable mix of syncopated James Brown funk, West African percussion, and politically driven lyrics, paired with a “revolution now” mentality, exposed the corruption and hypocrisy of the Nigerian government, transcending his status far beyond music legend....

Despite a heavy tour schedule in the beginning of the new year with his new group Grinderman , Oz artist Nick Cave will release a double DVD set containing live footage of shows from 2003 and 2004 on Janurary 29th. Aptly titled The Abattoir Blues Tour , the discs feature classic Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds material as well as songs from their most recent album, Abbattoir Blues / The Lyre Of Orpheus. The sold-out 2004 Brixton Academy...

L.A.’s Ozomatli will release Don’t Mess With The Dragon March 27th on Concord Records. The album originated from an art installation that the band created in Tropico de Nopal, a gallery of MacArthur Park. "We stayed there for two weeks, writing; each member had a corner of the room, which we decorated ourselves. Visitors came in and each of us got a chance to show how we create music, individually and collectively. That environment gave birth to these songs,”...

After announcing his spring 2007 European tour, James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem revealed album details for his sophomore release, Sound Of Silver (Capitol). The follow-up to his superb self-titled debut will be released March 20th. Sadly, no US dates have been announced yet, but we'll keep you updated. Tracklist For Sound Of Silver: 1. Get Innocuous 2. Time To Get Away 3....

Sanctuary Group, one of the largest independent music companies and 49% owner of Rough Trade Records is expected to file a financial loss for 2006. The downturn is directly caused by Rough Trade’s $5.4 million loss this year. Sanctuary reported in a press release that it “is undertaking a number of initiatives with regard to Rough Trade to improve its performance, curtail its losses and reduce Sanctuary's future funding obligations to it. Sanctuary is also considering a...

Brooklyn-based Afrobeat collective, Antibalas (Spanish for “bulletproof”) have signed with Epitaph sub-label, Anti-, which serves as home to fellow artists Tom Waits, Neko Case and Blackalicious. The record deal promises to facilitate growth beyond Antibalas’s previous polyrhythmic and politically active albums. Having already collaborated with heavyweights as diverse as Medeski, Martin and Wood, TV On The Radio, and Gomez, the 12-member...

Lily Allen branded the British publication, NME 'sexist’ for baiting her into posing for a special cover shoot with Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Beth Ditto of The Gossip. She had agreed with the understanding that it would promote female empowerment in music with regards to their 'Cool List Issue 2006'. "Five women had made it into the Top 10 and we (the women) were asked to pose for photos to be the main feature for the cover,” Allen blogged....

Techno dons Funkstörung, Michael Fakesch and Chris de Luca are making their !K7 remixes compilation CD, Appendix (released 1/23/07) their “final statement" before they disband and "dedicate themselves to their solo projects," states a press release. The pair resign on their website, "this is extremely sad news, as we have worked together now for 12 years and had really great times along the way." Quick to express himself as a solo artist, Michael will...