Africanaudiovideo.com

African Music Outlet

African Healing Dance

Jacky Essombe

The Blowing Winds of Change

The continuous improvement in the Computer Technology has now touched every domain of any human branches of activities. The Music Industry, has effectively been altered in many ways. New ideas are being tested every day on the Internet. It is exciting to see so much creativity in the Marketing business associated with musical enterprises. It is a good sign.

The change has brought forth a great challenge for the Industry and mostly for the Record Companies : the Internet file sharing, practiced by millions of people in their different networks. As you know, the Legal battle is being fought by the Majors to stop what is perceived as a danger. Indeed, records sales have plummeted, prompting these Majors to unleash legal actions, with some limited success. It is true that Napster was shot down and does no longer have the popularity it once enjoyed, nor the "all-out-free-music" it once defiantly offered to its members. Other legal actions have been taken, the latest being the lawsuit launched last week, against individuals suspected of indulging in the violation of the Copyright Law through the excessive music downloading.

I'm of those who believe that the Record Companies will never be able to stop the phenomenon of music file sharing on the Net. They will rather have to come up with some creative ways to counter the problem. The idea of allowing the download of MP3s for a modest fee is the step in the right direction and I certainly will offer that plan with my own productions.

Whereas the Record Companies decry the illegal downloading of music on the Net, to the Independents musicians like myself, the Internet has been a wonderful tool to help promote our work. After listening to the arguments advanced, I came to the conclusion that the file sharing was not necessarily a bad thing and in fact could be used creatively to promote CDs sales. Undoubtedly, a great amount of power has been taken away from the Record Companies. The encouraging thing however, is the wonderful blessing given to the Artist around the world to promote their work, to present their work directly to the people of the world and let them judge and decide, as opposed to having one's artistic life decided by some guys (they are usually guys at those positions…I wonder why…) sitting in their comfortable chair in their luxurious offices, pretending to know it all.

Some say that, selling individual tracks will encourage people to buy only the songs they like in an album, rather than buying a full album of 12…13 songs with only one track they actually care for. It will also, they say, force Record Companies to produce quality songs and not indulge in "filling up" the space on the albums with poorly written materials…I tend to believe this to be true.

It is great to be alive and kicking at the time of this technological revolution with its blowing winds of change. To adapt and ride the tide or to resist and be blown away…that is the assignment imposed. For the musician, the solution will be complex especially for the Independents, but nevertheless very exciting to contemplate. Courage is one of the angles of our "philosopher's stone".

Jean-Pierre Simons

© 2004

An Excellent Idea

It was strongly suggested to me by a couple of friends to get "Turquoise" published as a novel or novelette. I had thought of compiling all the episodes at some point and have them published. But I found the idea suggested to be more exciting and challenging. I will be working in that direction. So, this 12th episode of "Turquoise" is the last I will publish in my Newsletter.

I will quietly continue to write the story until its completion. The past episodes will be re-written, so as to include some details that I had left aside in order to make things fit the format of the Newsletter.

When the novel is ready, or is published, you will of course, be the first to know about it. In the meantime, the past episodes written will remain posted as usual.

I thank you for your support. Your suggestions are welcome, as always.

Amicalement,

Jean-Pierre Simons.

Note: All the Newsletters can be read at the following address:

http://www.sighes.com/news_letters_lettres_publiees.htm

I Recommend...

• Richard Bona
• Henri Dikonguè

News ... News ... News...News

Greetings!!

• My interview (in French) with "1001 Musiques".

• The online distribution of my CD has been expanded to now include Tower Records.

• There is a new online store specialized in African Audio and Video. It's called : Africanaudiovideo.com This store carries my CD as well. I had a pleasant contact with the CEO of the enterprise. I wish him the success he deserves.

• FREE DOWNLOAD of my Screen Saver "Love Me".

A t t e n t i o n !! You made a lucky purchase...

The new album in production will include the current Single on sale "Aime-Moi" and "Like A Friend".

All those who have purchased, or who will purchase the Single, will have one FREE COPY OF THE FULL ALBUM !!!

This is what you'll have to do in order to receive your free copy:

Once you complete your transaction, send me an e-mail to the following address:

jean-pierresimons@sighes.com

with

a/ your mailing address

b/ the name of the online store you completed your purchase with.

c/ time and date of the transaction.

Amicalement,

Jean-Pierre Simons

If you do not wish to receive this monthly Newsletter anymore, please, contact my Webmaster with the subject line indicating "Remove from list"

Webmaster@sighes.com