Well its that time of year, Labels are basically shoving everything out there, the thing is there really isnt going to be a strong seller, I mean Def Jam/Universal is banking on the Jayz album, others from universal obviously Gwen,U2 and a possible Mariah Carey Live CD/DVD from this tour. Some really pathetic moves, Def Jam has pushed up Fabolous's new cd from Feb to Dec 26th, because it wants to cash in on the attention he's getting now (being shot).

One push back was MYA's "liberation" which first was Mid November then it was Dember 12th and now MOTOWN has moved it to Early January 2007. Is it me or is Motown the worst label ever? at least in the last decade or so. I mean its not like they have a big roster of artists at this point, so why cant they get their act together with the Promo for Mya. I do like the idea however of moving the album, because Mid December really isnt a good time for a new cd, unless your Manilow or Celine or someone that will do good that time of year. So i understand not putting MYA out in Decmeber, but Motown really needs to do some kind of work.

My Holiday predictions are that none of this will help save the year or even come close, estimates are that the industry will be down 10% to last year which was already down to begin with. As far as the Jay Z release, well it will do well since its hitting right at thanksgiving when people start shopping etc... so i expect he may move over a million first week, which of course the industry will brag about, but all in all im sure it wont be steady.

lastdecember said:

I cant even put it into words...

Bite your tongue, lastdecember!

Motown is one of the greatest labels in pop music history. It's just not what it used to be.

namepeace said:

Thats more of what i meant, BUT it is the worst at the moment, for a label that prided itself on working artists and devloping, Mya is the only one their at the moment that actually has a catalog, outside of the artists that built Motown. I understand their whole re-issues, which are great, but arent they just Rhino records? basically just re-releasing everything again. I know there is limited talent out there, but everytime one of my favorite artists gets to Motown, they get screwed, it seems like no one works at Motwon anymore

lastdecember said:

Just checking, we're on the same page. Their handling of Donnie, Remy Shand, et al. is terrible.

a new U2 album?

namepeace said:

Exactly, and now they brought on board since she has spent the last few years building a studio in her home town and a dance school also, and her album is leaning towards acoustic soul/dance Rb, but like you said their work with Donnie and Remy leave alot to be desired, im surprised they arent running Van Hunts promotion cause thats awful too.

MikeMatronik said:

Its actually ANOTHER best of, this time its like an Ultimate with 2 or 3 new tracks, one of which is there song with Green Day

lastdecember said:

just like the depeche mode one

MikeMatronik said:

Exactly, its that time of the year, labels will try anything at this point, the u2 originally was going to be a new album, but they arent done recording yet so Universal figured a Best of would do well now.

lastdecember said:

profit above integrity!

lastdecember said:

Pet SHop Boys Re-Released Pop Art for some reason.

superspaceboy said:

It was the first time they've released it in the states, probably to capatilize on their North American tour. There are slightly different mixes of "Heart" and "Flamboyant". I also think that "PopArt" is meant to replace "Discography", which is usually the only PSB CD nearly any store carries.

namepeace said:

Motown WAS one of the greatest labels in music history

FuNkeNsteiN said:

Let's look at this metaphorically; Motown is like the once-beautiful turn of the century mansion with ornate coulmns, gorgeous spiral starircases, huge bedrooms, and grand vaulted ceilings that was once the jewel of a vibrant neighborhood but was abandoned by its owners, got overrun by crack dealers, gangbangers and homeless people, and has become not only a severe eysore in the neighborhood but has become unsafe for habitation and needs to be condemned and razed down.

728huey said:

I've read that they have countless unreleased albums in their vaults

VinnyM27 said:

Is this out? I'd actually pick up the US version. I never bought the import, b/c it was copy controlled, and so expensive everywhere I saw it.

728huey said:

I'd compare Motown to Willie Mays. It was the most brilliant star of its time and it produced highlights that few if any of its peers can match. It stumbled and bumbled in advancing years, but it's still the same player it was. Many of its accomplishments still stand. It's still a first-ballot Hall of Famer and nothing can take that away from it. Surely, its later production diminishes its perception in the public eye, but it still is what it is.