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Plug a Leak, Find a Colleague
The recording industry is cracking down on leaked music – songs that hit the Internet before they’re officially released. Today on Soundcheck: Find out how music leaks start, who's doing the leaking, and what's being done about it. And later, a live performance from pianist Michael Riesman. Plus: Soundcheck's CD Picks of the Week.
A Culture of Leaks
In its crackdown on leaked music, the music business is discovering that its worst enemies might come from inside the industry. New York magazine contributor Adrienne Day tells us about the shadowy world of "ripping crews" and explains how journalists may contribute to the problem. And Jonathan Lee of anti-piracy company MediaDefender talks about how leaks are plugged.
Adrienne Day's story in New York magazine
MediaDefender web site
Soundcheck's CD Picks of the Week
The Soundcheck staff shares new recordings that are catching our attention.
Marco Benevento, "Invisible Baby" (Hyena)
One half of the Benevento-Russo Duo, this keyboardist has a solo studio debut full of hooks and strange, circuit-bending sounds. It’s both accessible and somewhat avant-garde. (Marco Benevento plays live on Soundcheck on Wednesday.)--picked by John Schaefer
"Invisible Baby" is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Changuito, "Telegrafia Sin Hilo" (Cacao Music)
Changuito is Jose Luis Quintana, a Cuban percussionist who was a member of the legendary band Los Van Van. This album (the title means "wireless telegraph") features guest appearances by Bobby Abreu of the New York Yankees and drummer/broadcaster Omar Jeanton, among others.--picked by Gisele Regatao
"Telegrafia Sin Hilo" is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Yundi Li, piano; Berlin Philharmonic, Seiji Ozawa, conductor
"Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 2; Ravel, Piano Concerto in G Major." (Deutsche Grammophon)
The 27-year-old pianist Yundi Li is treated like a rock star in his native China, appearing in Nike ads and drawing stadium-sized crowds. While the wavy-haired pianist has been praised for his recordings of Chopin and Liszt, it is this imaginative pairing of concertos by Ravel and Prokofiev that really shows that he’s got the goods to match the hype. picked by Brian Wise
This pick is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Atmosphere, "Strictly Leakage" (RhymeSayers Entertainment)
About two weeks ago, the Minneapolis hip-hop duo Atmosphere did a funny thing. With a CD already on deck for this spring, Sean Daley and Anthony Davis posted this free, 13-song nod to old-soul party albums on their website. Here, Daley -- better known as Slug -- exhibits the art of being both arrogant AND self-deprecating, in rhyme.--picked by Joel Meyer
"Strictly Leakage" is available for download at the Atmosphere site.
Michael Riesman
The newly renovated Merkin Concert Hall is marking its reopening on Jan. 21 with a free day-long grand piano marathon. Michael Riesman, music director of the Philip Glass Ensemble, joins us to preview the piece he'll play during the marathon: a suite from Glass' Dracula soundtrack.
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- Comments [1]
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