The long-awaited, much-anticipated Al Green record finally has a name and a release date: “Lay it Down” comes out May 27 via Blue Note. Produced by Green in collaboration with Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson (the Roots) and James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Common), features vocal contributions from Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, and Corinne Bailey Rae and horn work from the lately ubiquitous Dap-Kings (not that I’m mad that they’re everywhere). See the track list after the jump. Via Pitchfork.

Kevin Brockmeier did a “Book Notes” for Largehearted Boy where he lists “Ten Songs from Science Fiction Bands.”

Rolling Stone
reports that Wal-Mart, the nation’s leading music seller, wants to be able to sell all albums for $10 or less. According to the report, if record labels don’t comply with this pricing request, “Wal-Mart execs have hinted that they could reduce their CD stock and replace it with more lucrative DVDs and video games.”

Advertisement

…making sure Wal-Mart is happy remains one of the music industry’s major priorities. That’s because if Wal-Mart cut back on music, industry sales would suffer severely — though Wal-Mart’s shareholders would barely bat an eye. While Wal-Mart represents nearly twenty percent of major-label music sales, music represents only about two percent of Wal-Mart’s total sales. “If they got out of selling music, it would mean nothing to them,” says another label executive. “This keeps me awake at night.”

This comes on the heels of iTunes is considering an “unlimited music” device.

Advertisement

Give it for these valiant attempts to screw the consumer less.
 

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Tuesday To-Do: Epiphany and One Night Stand Next article Tuesday To-Do: The Dirtbombs