“End the Need for Benefit Concerts”
Universal health care strengthens business; who would know better than two music industry vets who know what it’s like to be real entrepreneurs?
Via Chicago Tribune
“Shakira’s Stats Don’t Lie: Facebook/Ustream Music Video Debut Is A Hit”
Half a million views via a (mostly) artist-controlled content channel. MTV, stick with Heidi Montag, [...]

Wrapping Up
Sasha Frere-Jones on rap’s stylistic Balkinazation and Freddie Gibbs’s reliable hustle.
Via the New Yorker
Hell Awaits for Illegal File-Sharers
“Anyone illegally selling, copying, uploading or downloading this material is condemned to eternal hellfire. Happy listening, God is love.” Really helps you concentrate on doing your job as a reviewer.
Via the Guardian
Interview: Modeselektor
Jim Jones sampling [...]

“Brian McKinney of Chocolate Lab on the iTunes LP”
Chicago label owner helps bring some clarity to the latest iTunes product development.
Via Chicago Reader
“Freedom, Rhythm & Sound: Revolutionary Jazz Original Cover Art 1965-83″
Great review of what looks like an amazing book of cover art from Soul Jazz.
Via Dusted
“Rdio: Kazaa, Skype Execs Tackle Subscription Music”
A new [...]

“Sony Converts Iceland Town Into Massive Soundsystem”
This sounds like a living hell, though it would make a cool music video. Where’s the Bjork and Sigur Ros on the playlist, by the way?
Via Gizmodo
“Q&A With Jeff Mills”
Techno legend talks about remotely performances in Japan, the blowback of technological advances and the peculiar state of the U.S.
Via [...]

“Kraftwerk Remasters ‘The Catalogue,’ Recoding New Album For 2010″
The band’s first release without Florian — technology has improved over the last few decades, so they probably don’t need another knob-twiddler to pick up the slack.
Billboard Via Daily Swarm
“P.E. Announces New LP Using Revolutionary Funding Method “
Public Enemy is using Sellaband.com to fund their forthcoming album. [...]

“Western Music Piracy in China – The Major Labels’ Role”
As the how-to video above proves, the industry has made a few tactical errors in regards to fighting piracy. This report on their willful disregard for a black market music distribution system in China they helped create is equally damning.
Via Music 2.0
“Record Stores: Out of Sight, [...]