Soundcheck

EMI Tightens Its Belt

The new owners of EMI Group plan to eliminate up to 2,000 jobs -- more than a third of its workforce -- to offset revenue lost from falling CD sales and the departure of major artists. What does the restructuring mean for the development of new artists? We talk with Gerd Leonhard, co-author of “The Future of Music,” and Jim Fusilli, rock and pop critic of the Wall Street Journal.

Jim Fusilli's story in the Wall Street Journal
More about Gerd Leonhard

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CD Picks of the Week

Four stand-out new albums, as chosen by the Soundcheck staff.

Kate Nash, "Made of Bricks" (Interscope)

The next big thing out of England is supposed to be Kate Nash, who made her US debut last week on a wave of industry hype, followed immediately by a wave of media buzz and then a predictable backlash when it turned out the 20 year old pianist isn’t the second coming of Cole Porter and John Lennon. At least, not yet But her debut album does have a distinctive, dry, sardonic voice and several terrific songs.--picked by John Schaefer

"Made of Bricks" is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

Israel "Cachao" López, "Cachao Descargas – The Havana Sessions" (Yemaya Spain)

The Cuban composer and bass player Israel "Cachao" López brought mambo to the US in the 50s, a rhythm that he helped create in the 30s. And he is a master of descargas, as Latin jam sessions are called. This compilation is a great document of an incredibly vibrant time in Cuban music and it has some pretty weird stuff, like this song composed by Cachao, el fantasma, or the ghost.--picked by Gisele Regatao

"Cachao Descargas" is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

"Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto – Octet for Strings – Songs" Daniel Hope, violin, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Thomas Hengelbrock, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon)

British violinist Daniel Hope claims to be a descendant of Mendelssohn’s teacher. Now he’s made the world-premiere recording of the original version of the composer’s Violin Concerto and Octet, as well as three arrangements of his songs. At 33, Hope is the youngest-ever member of the legendary Beaux Arts Trio and he’s also an accomplished author.--picked by Brian Wise

Daniel Hope's Mendelssohn recording is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

Magnetic Fields, "Distortion" (Nonesuch)

The first album in four years from the Magnetic Fields is called “Distortion” — and for good reason. Every song on it is soaked in reverb and feedback. The group’s leader, Stephin Merritt, says he set out “to sound more like the Jesus and Mary Chain than the Jesus and Mary Chain.” The result is a fine homage to that legendarily loud Scottish band – and also to the melancholy pop of the Beach Boys. --picked by Joel Meyer

"Distortion" is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

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Jack Peñate

While Lily Allen and Kate Nash caught fire in the U.S., Jack Peñate spent last year building buzz in the U.K. Now, Americans get their first crack at his spastic brand of guitar pop. His album, "Matinee," hits stores this week. Peñate and his band play live in our studio.

Jack Peñate web site
Video: "Spit at Stars"
Video: "Second, Minute or Hour"

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