It’s Friday: Great New Movies Release Today!
Throughout the year, Friday is a day I often look forward to, but not in the traditional sense. It’s an opportunity to satisfy the movie junkie within and take in some flicks of interest. In one weekend, there are two great movies I’m looking forward to seeing (movie synopsis via The Internet Movie Database):
What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL*E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL*E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL*E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets an adventure into motion. Joining WALL*E on his journey across the universe is a cast of characters including a pet cockroach and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.
“Wanted” tells the tale of one apathetic nobody’s transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice. In 2008, we’re introduced to a hero for a new generation: 25 year old employed slacker, WESLEY GIBSON. Wes is the most disaffected, cube-dwelling, clock-punching drone this planet has ever known. His boss chews him out hourly, his girlfriend ignores him routinely, and his life plods on in interminable boredom and routine. Everyone knows this disengaged slacker will amount to absolutely nothing, and so does he, until he meets the sexy, foxy woman named FOX, and then everything changes. Wes’ estranged father is murdered, and the deadly Fox recruits him into The Fraternity, a secret society that trains him to avenge his father’s death, by unlocking his dormant powers. And oh boy does he have powers, as she teaches Wes how to develop his lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, he discovers that The Fraternity lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: to carry out the death orders given by emotionless Fate itself. Wes, with his wickedly brilliant and sexy tutor, plus the paternal guidance of The Fraternity’s enigmatic leader, SLOAN, young Wes grows to enjoy all the strength and success he ever wanted. But, slowly, he realizes there’s more to his dangerous associates than meets the casual eye. And, as he wavers between new found heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one can ever teach him; that he alone controls his destiny. Written by Orange
A young man finds out his long lost father is an assassin. And when his father is murdered, the son is recruited into his father’s old organization and trained by a man named Sloan to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
Michael McDonald: ‘Enemy Within’ Goes To AC Radio in July
I just learned yesterday that Universal Motown, Michael McDonald’s current label, is shipping McDonald’s original track, “Enemy Within”, to AC radio on July 14. “Enemy Within” is a refreshing rock track from his latest release, “Soul Speak”, which is sure to melt the AC radio waves.
I am very excited about this development. This marks the fourth single from “Soul Speak”. The previous singles are “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher and Higher)”, “Love T.K.O.” and “Walk On By”. All three singles debuted simultaneously on AC, Urban AC and Smooth Jazz, giving McDonald a rare accomplishment in the most singles to debut at radio.
Preview “Enemy Within” or purchase the entire album.
What’s Your Next Move, Universal/Motown?
Congratulations. You released Michael McDonald’s ‘Soul Speak’ a week earlier. Through your efforts, Michael was able to debut three singles on three separate radio formats. Good stuff. The album debuted to a solid 30K in unit sales. What’s next?
I’m certain there are great plans in place to boost album sales and the visibility of this record. I would hope new singles are being considered for release at radio. Here are two singles I believe will do quite well for Michael:
Enemy Within - AC (Adult Contemporary)
This single should be introduced prior to “Higher and Higher” slipping from the Top 20 at AC. Late Spring/Early Summer would be a great period to ship to radio. This track shouldn’t have any problems breaking the Top 8 at AC radio.
Only God Can Help Me Now - Urban AC
We noted what Michael’s labelmate, Kem, could do with smooth, slow grooves. This track is no exception. Certainly, Kem and McDonald’s voices vary in range and style, however, this track would fair far better than “Love TKO” is doing at the moment. This should go to radio within the next month or less to maintain his presence there.
What’s your next move, Universal/Motown? Let’s keep this engine humming. You have the resources and budget. Do not fall asleep on this album. This is a strong album with much potential.
The Hypocrisy (and Ignorance) of the Music Industry
On March 4-5, Michael McDonald will perform at the Blue Note in New York to celebrate the release of his new album, ‘Soul Speak‘. It’ll be a wonderful day for Michael, but will it be for the ‘Blue Note’?
The ‘Blue Note’ just blogged about Michael’s David Letterman performance which includes an ‘embedded’ YouTube video of the gig. There’s a ton of irony in this: Will technologically incompetent lawyers representing Michael threaten the venue with a “cease and desist” letter laced with false accusations like I received last July?
What the ‘Blue Note’ has done here is no different than several videos I’ve posted to my own site which were ‘embedded’ from YouTube. Unfortunately, I was chastised and chewed up as being the perp who uploaded the videos in question that I ‘embedded’ to my site (There’s a huge difference between ‘linking’ videos and ‘uploading’ them).
The hypocrisy — and ignorance — of an industry that is littered with far too many egos and often bemoans accountability to the very people which make the industry what it is (without ‘fans’, there’s no livelihood for the industry) is more than obvious here.
Chances are, the ‘Blue Note’ won’t be chastised for embedding this video, as they are a paid gig for McD.
To date, I still haven’t received an explanation on the mixup, how I was chosen and how my e-mail address was even known. The last thing in the world I’d do to a friend is cheat him of his rights or harm his brand, product or service by distributing unauthorized works w/o permission (and, no, ‘embedding’ is not ‘distributing’).
Personally, I believe an apology from Vector Management and Michael’s lawyer is long overdue — Michael needn’t be the janitor cleaning up the actions of others (and I did mention this incident to him, and of course, he apologized — But, again, it’s not his doing), for our friendship has been nothing but inspiring over an almost 10 year period.
My only desire is that those representing him should take better precautions to avoid the possibility of alienating those who are friends and supporters of Michael. The music industry continues to demonstrate that they are not in the business of listening — Just dictating (and bullying).
Don’t forget to pick up Michael’s new album, ‘Soul Speak,’ on March 4th:
Tonight: World Premier of Michael McDonald’s New Album, ‘Soul Speak’
Smooth Jazz, 94.7 ‘The Wave’, is debuting Michael McDonald’s forthcoming album, ‘Soul Speak,’ at 7 PM Pacific today. Michael will be hosting a segment which will include commentary by himself and a preview of the entire album! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to hear the latest offering by one of the most recognizable voices in music today!
Listen to ‘The Wave’ LIVE online
Pre-order ‘Soul Speak‘ at Amazon