Just a few days until Dome Records will release Duke, the new album by producer, songwriter and musician extraordinaire George Duke, in the UK on May 23, 2005, a release in Germany will follow early in June via Rough Trade.
To learn more of George’s label BPM, his latest album and his views on today’s music scene read the following interview and also have a look at the review of Duke on jazz-not-jazz.
There are also some interesting articles about the music industry on George’s website if you like to engross the topic.

Q: Please tell me why you founded your label BPM. What can it offer you that you’ve missed while being signed to a major label?

George Duke: Why not? If an artist has the means to do it then I think they should. Ownership is the key issue! It is wonderful for an artist to own the publishing, writers and copyright of their material, but if the recorded performances are owned by someone else, then final control is taken away. Artists need to become more aware of the business and begin to own what they produce and license its’ use. As far as being signed to a major label, I think it is important for some artists. It depends on their emphasis. For a young singer looking to become the next “it” in the pop world, maybe a major label is their best bet because they have the money, staff and connections to put the project over the top. However, for an artist like me who is interested more in the music I create, if the major label does not spend the money, use the staff or their connections to support my album, then what good are they to me? In fact, they are a hindrance!

Q: You’ve already released the album Face The Music on BPM. How content are you with your label and the reaction it gets so far?

George Duke: Actually, I am very content. First of all I don’t have a twenty year old product manager telling me to create music more like Jay-Z. Of course I would love to sell more albums, but because I don’t have the split point determined by a major label, I reach my break even point much more rapidly. Since I own my own studio and pay for my own album, I get paid from record number one more rapidly!

>>>continue