Powerjam Stresses Survival In Music Biz; Chrome Dome Is New Home Of Soul Iv Real

PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS: The theme of Urban Network's PowerJam conference, held Feb. 11-15 in Palm Springs, Calif., was largely about continuing to define and develop strategies for surviving in the music industry. Raw emotion and frustration drove many of the panel discussions, which for the most part offered realistic and helpful commentary.
"The Craft Of Being Creative--Publishing & A&R" offered a stellar panel, including Alonzo Robinson of ASCAP, Larry Robinson of Avatar Records, Lynn Spillane of DreamWorks Publishing, Derrick Johnson of BMG Songs, "Big" Jon Platt of EMI Music Publishing, and entertainment lawyer Darrell Thompson, all of whom agreed that music publishing, when executed properly, is truly where the money is.
Larry Robinson said songwriting should be developed from the beginning of an artist's career. "Publishing should be seen as a long-term asset," he said. "You have to be very serious about protecting it."
Platt warned artists to beware of large advances from record labels. "The more money you make [on an advance], the bigger the commitment you have [to the label]. The numbers look very different on paper," he said. Both Alonzo Robinson and Thompson implored people to educate themselves by researching the music industry on their own.
As an example, Alonzo Robinson said ASCAP owes money to a lot of young songwriters who haven't followed the correct procedures in order to claim the funds. "People need to be registered [with ASCAP]," he said.
On the A&R front, some panelists suggested that R&B artists need to take more chances creatively. Those attending the discussion wanted to know what the industry was doing to find a new sound. When attendees complained about the trend of sound-alike acts in R&B, Columbia Records VP of A&R Sam Sapp, who moderated the panel, placed some of the blame on those executives who decided to "overpay producers" with a specific sound.
REAL SOUL: The group Soul IV Real has resurfaced with a new single, "Come See Me," on the indie Chrome Dome Records. The label is helmed by Robert James, who also heads the urban promotion department at Tommy Boy. The promotional single was released Feb. 10 without much fanfare. For the week ending Feb. 17, "Come See Me" garnered 384 spins at radio, according to Broadcast Data Systems, bringing a renewed interest in the group.
Soul IV Real signed to Chrome Dome in September 1997 after leaving Universal's Uptown label. The group, which consists of the four Dalyrimple brothers, Jason, Andre "Dre," Brian, and Christopher "Choc," has completed a new album slated for late-spring release.
James' marketing strategy is low-key, rather than attempting to reintroduce the group with glamour and glitz. "I want to bring them through the back door," he says.
James adds that the quartet has matured and now sings songs geared toward the young female audience.
All of the group's new songs were written by Choc and co-produced by the group, which is a first for the foursome. "I'm trying to develop them and expose their talent as creative writers and producers," James says.
IN FLYTE: Gwen Irby was named GM at Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' Flyte Tyme Records, effective immediately. She'll manage the daily operations of the label, and all department heads will report to her. Irby will oversee all business and legal matters for Flyte Tyme and act as a liaison to Universal Records, which promotes and markets Flyte Tyme's releases. She will be based in the Los Angeles office. In addition, Sheila Eldridge has been named senior VP of Flyte Tyme in New York. She will be responsible for marketing and product management.
The label's release slate for '98 includes titles from Angel Grant, Kevin Ford, and Big Jim, as well as the soundtrack to "How Stella Got Her Groove Back."
MOVING ON AND UP: Jana Fleishman, former director of publicity for Noo Trybe Records, is now director of artist and media relations for Elektra. She'll handle press for LSG, MC Lyte, K.P., Rampage, Room Service, and Adina Howard. "It's great to be at such a well-respected and successful company," she says. "I hope to continue growing as a professional, an executive, and a publicist."
THE DREAM, '90S STYLE: The King family, along with Hip-O Records, which is part of the Universal Music Group, has produced a 14-track compilation titled "Living The Dream--A Tribute To Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." The album, released 30 years after King's assassination, features the songs of such R&B, gospel, and hip-hop artists as Erykah Badu, Patti LaBelle, Blackstreet, Aretha Franklin, Shaquille O'Neal, Monifah, Rahsaan Patterson, Immature, Nuyorican Soul, Mary J. Blige, Regina Belle, and Fa Sho. Some of the album's proceeds will benefit the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change Inc. in Atlanta, which continues the legacy of the civil rights leader. The album also offers portions of King's speech "I Have A Dream," which is incorporated throughout the album. The collection is due March 24.