Music News Page 1078

Who says Snoop Dogg is no longer active? To show public worldwide that he in fact is still working on his music career, the rapper has reunited with Daz Dillinger and Kurupt to record a new album. The set dubbed "Cali Iz Active" is slated to be released June 27 later this year on his label, Doggy Style Records, in conjunction with Koch Records.

Also featured on the album are B-Real, David Banner, Soopafly and RBX. Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg was quoted as saying on the Web site http://www.allhiphop.com "I'm letting everybody know that the West Coast is definitely making a strong comeback. It's a beautiful thing for me to be able to work with them, and when we drop this album it's gonna shake the whole game up."

In somewhat a brief news, it is reported that longtime country music singer Kenny Rogers will perform live on the American Idol results show Wednesday, April 5 (9:00-9:32 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on Fox.

As for everybody to know, there are still nine remaining "American Idol" contestants, all of whom surely won't be able to perform better then the American music legend. So don't miss his performance guys.

Fans you better get yourself ready to meet superstar Madonna. The pop diva has revealed that she's going to embark on a world tour this summer.

It was announced Monday April 3rd, 2006 that the so-called material girl will open the "Confessions Tour" in Los Angeles on May 21, work eastward through North America and jump to Europe on July 30 in Cardiff, Wales.

Minus guitarist Damon Albarn who goes separate ways, music act Blur keeps moving on and is looking forward to have a new album slated to be released by the end of the year.

Bassist Alex James told London's XFM radio that the remaining members of Blur have already reconvened to start work on a new album and will have it wrapped up by the end of the year.

Virgin Urban president Jermaine Dupri told Billboard that the first single from Janet Jackson's upcoming album will be released to radio in May. Elsewhere, the album itself will then be released at the end of September.

Janet reportedly is once again working with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the new set. "It's a milestone year for us and for the collaboration," Jam said while adding "It'll be 20 years since the release of (Jackson's 1986 album) 'Control,' so there's definitely a little bit of a nod to that on the new album."

British band Coldplay has topped the 2005's global charts with their album "X&Y" sold 8.3 million copies around the world, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reports. Such attainment leads the music act to top some other famous musicians, like Mariah Carey whose album "The Emancipation of Mimi" sold 7.7 million to be at 2nd position.

Top the 2005's global charts at No. 3 is 50 Cent's "The Massacre" which has been sold 7.5 million worldwide. The Black Eyed Peas' "Monkey Business" (6.8m) is 4th, followed by "American Idiot" by Green Day which sold 6.4 million copies. Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor" is next, just one place ahead of Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" at No. 7.

Q magazine has recently conducted a poll on the Worst Albums of All Time. Involving almost 2000 people, including professional guitarists and music teachers, Duran Duran's 1995 album "Thank You" comes on the very top position of the poll.

The set, a collection of covers featuring songs by artists who have influenced Duran Duran throughout the years, was claimed as "abysmal on every level". That's according to Gareth Grundy, Deputy Director of Q, who commented "Sometimes these things are redeemed by some sort of kitsch value, but it didn't even have that".

"After contact with Wembley, it is evident that the stadium will not be ready for the Bon Jovi shows in June," the rock band said in a statement released Thursday March 30th, 2006 on their Web site.

Due to such fact, the music group has changed the venue for two live shows in Britain, held June 10-11 later this year, to the nearby Milton Keynes Bowl.

While the US pop album chart is dominated by Prince, the US singles chart is topped by Canadian singer/songwriter Daniel Powter who with his "Bad Day" wins the top position, earns his first ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Thus, there's changes on the chart which subsequently drags Sean Paul's "Temperature" drops one place to No. 2.

Rounding out the Top 5 is Ne-Yo's "So Sick," James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" and Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" all of which sticking to the No. 3 to No. 5. Securing the 6th place on the chart is Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten", just one place ahead of Dem Franchize Boyz' "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It" at No. 7.

Memphis hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia are producing and recording tracks with hotel heiress Paris Hilton which reportedly will be included in her upcoming debut album.

"We ran into her at a William Morris Agency party and she said she liked our song `Stay Fly' and asked could we work with her," said Jordan "Juicy J" Houston, a member of the Oscar winning rappers.

The Prince is back. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has again topped the Billboard 200 long after his 1989's Batman soundtrack, 1985's "Around the World in a Day" and his 1984 mega-smash, "Purple Rain". The singer has in the week ended Sunday had his new set "3121" sold for 183,000 copies, such amount enough to bring him on top of the chart.

Meanwhile, last week's chart-topper, Disney's "High School Musical" soundtrack slips one to No.2, ahead of James Blunt's "Back to Bedlam" at No. 3 and Barry Manilow's "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties" at No. 4. Ne-Yo's "In My Own Words" sadly drops one place from last week position to No. 5, followed after by B.G. whose "The Heart of tha Streetz, Vol. 2: I Am What I Am" selling 62,000 copies to secure the 6th position on the chart.

Morrissey versus Canada. What do you think? Interesting isn't it? In somewhat quite a unique way to express his protest against Canada's "barbaric slaughter of over 325,000 baby seals", the singer-songwriter is refusing to play any shows in the nation in support of his upcoming album, "Ringleader of the Tormentors," due April 4 via Attack/Sanctuary.

"I fully realize that the absence of any Morrissey concerts in Canada is unlikely to bring the Canadian economy to its knees, but it is our small protest against this horrific slaughter -- which is the largest slaughter of marine animal species found anywhere on the planet," Morrissey said in a statement on the noted fan site True to You.

As for Kevin Federline "Playing with Fire" is just okay. It won't endanger his life anyway for it just a matter of title. Yes "Playing with Fire" is the title the so-called singer-performer chooses to name his debut album which is slated to marry the street August later this year.

In a statement released Tuesday March 28th, 2006 through his publicist Federline said "The inspiration and meaning behind the title … is self explanatory, (because) my album is sure to set the dance floors across the world on fire!" Well, it sounds make sense.

It took at least three years hard work before Paul Simon finally comes to the decision to release a new album. And as the set is ready, it is amazing. It marks "the quick demonstration of Simon's songwriting brilliance and staying power."

"Surprise", that's how the singer named his new album, will be released May 9 in North America via Warner Bros. and a day earlier internationally. The fruit of Simon's collaboration with U2 producer Brian Eno consists some tracks like "Sons and Daughters," "How Can You Live in the Northeast" and "Outrageous."

Rock band Hoobastank has revealed through a fan club email that they are about to embark on series of free shows at small venues throughout the month of April this year. Dubbed "Every Fan For Himself" tour, the show is aimed to promote their upcoming album titled "Every Man For Himself," which will be released on May 15.

Visit the band's official site, hoobastank.com, for Hoobastank free club dates and register there for the show in your area. What's more, the music group also would like a local act in each city to open for them and want to hear from interested bands, also through the web site.