Artists & Music MILES COPELAND'S ARK 21 NEARS LAUNCH (Continued from page 8) The combination of Miles' creative before was 80% new artists and 20% tional 16 conceptual albums. Pat Metheny, and saxophonist reggae bands, and this gives busi- involvement and EMD's distribution projects -i.e., soundtracks and Albums from Pangaea, a joint Michael Brecker. ness to a publishing client, Sting, muscle promises to be formidable." whatever-we'll do the reverse. The venture with Sting that began life Ark 21's other October releases and a management client. So we're Ark 21 will be "more of a high - bulk of our records will be records during the I.R.S. era, will also move are "The Leopard Son," the sound- using our record company to help concept label than ... a traditional that are creative recording pro- through Ark 21. track to the current theatrical fea- create income, but it's a cool project label," says Copeland. jects." Two of the first four releases, due ture produced by the Discovery for the record company." "We will be very light in signing Copeland anticipates that the Oct. 29, are conceptual projects that Channel, and a rerelease of the self - The label also plans an album of up brand -new, untried, unknown label will sign only four acts in its began life at I.R.S. titled album by Chicago acid -jazz Police songs, to be performed by artists," he explains. "If I.R.S. first year but will release an addi- One, Pangaea's "Twang: A Trib- unit Liquid Soul, originally issued leading Spanish -language rock ute To The Shadows," salutes the by the group's own Soul What label artists. popular English instrumental quar- (Billboard, July 13). Copeland says Ark 21 is also handling the tet of the '60s, which featured lion- that Liquid Soul is about to begin Squeeze album "Ridiculous," which KEEPING SCORE ized guitarist Hank Marvin. Among recording an album for release by was released earlier this year by (Continued from page 40) the artists contributing to the set Ark 21 next spring. I.R.S. Vocalist Paul Carrack, noted coming out with a recording that piano and fortepiano, soprano are Mark Knopfler, Neil Young & In January or February, Ark 21 for his work with Squeeze, is also features alternative versions of Puc- Julianne Baird, tenor Martin Dil- Randy Bachman, Peter Green, will issue an album of reggae ver- signed to Copeland's new imprint. cini's "Madama Butterfly." Puccini lon, and Robert Stone on baroque Steve Stevens, Andy Summers, sions of songs by Sting. Artists will Marketing and promotion of Ark made several revisions of the opera guitar, include pieces by Gluck and Tony Iommi, and Brian May with include former I.R.S. artist Pato 21's product will be handled by the after its disastrous 1904 premiere at Handel along with English songs. Status Quo. Banton, Ark 21 signee Wendy label's staff in the U.S. and by EMI La Scala, changing the main char- The other I.R.S. holdover, "Tony Moton, Ziggy Marley, Maxi Priest, personnel in foreign territories. acters and dramatically altering the NEWSWORTHY: The Atlantic Williams' Wilderness," is an all -star Aswad, and Steel Pulse. The label's dedicated staff cur- structure of the piece, thereby dilut- Group's streamlining (Billboard, session featuring jazz drummer Copeland says, "We'll end up with rently stands at eight; Copeland ing much of its original daring. Lis- Oct. 12) has hit Atlantic Classics: Williams, pianist Herbie Hancock, an album that is going to be a great expects that number to rise to 10 by teners can now hear the opera, with Kevin Copps has left, as his position bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist record with some of the world's top January. It will include three full - Maria Spacagna in the title role, of VP /GM of the division has been time promotion staffers and a sales either in the original 1904 version or, eliminated. Atlantic Classics is the executive. Steve Tannett serves as by programming their CD players U.S. marketing for head of international, while former arm the Warner HIGHER GROUND according to a printed index, in each Classics labels Teldec, Erato, Fin - A &M executive Jack Laussman of its succeeding versions. landia, and Nonesuch, and its opera- (Continued from page 40) leads the company's efforts in Vox is also exploiting the Jane tions will now fall under Karen more creative energy and passion for opening for Sierra during key concert Southeast Asia, which Copeland Austen craze with a more original Colamussi, senior VP of marketing serving God than Mohr; here's wishing dates this fall. The Arkansas native was calls "an area of expansion." plan than most labels: The company for Atlantic Records. Three other him the best in all his endeavors ... in Nashville recently promoting her Publicity for Ark 21 releases will will release "The Songs Of Jane Atlantic Classics staffers were let Reunion rockers Third Day has album "Forgiveness" ... Seven-member be on a project -by- project basis Austen," a collection of songs from go, including the two who worked on embarked on its fall tour with newly group Caedmon's Call has signed to with independent firms. Copeland Austen's own music books, which she compilations. A source at Atlantic signed Reunion act All Star United and Warner Alliance. It was brought to the explains, "We've always found that copied for home performance. The Records says that no further Five Minute Walk Records act Seven label by fellow Houston resident Wayne nobody likes everything ... and I songs, performed by Mary Jane Atlantic Classics job eliminations Day Jesus as the opener ... Damascus Watson. Look for its label debut to be want to find projects for an individ- ,Newman and Anthony Newman on are planned. Road artist Rhonda Gunn will be released in February 1997. ual publicist who really digs it." "I CAN LOVE YOU LIKE THAT" goes vhere llo song r has gone before The first song euer PATRICK JOSEPH MUSIC to win both AND WINDSWEPT PACIFIC E N T E R T A I N M E N T) r.; Vif, C O N G R A T U L A T E JENNFLR KIMBALL 1996 ALONG WITH CO-WRITERS eau & ASAP STEVE DIAMOND AND PATRICK JOSEPH MuS,C MARY BETH DERRY AND WINDSWEPT PACI,11 Country Song Of The Year ENTERTAINMENT BILLBOARD OCTOBER 26, 1996 45 www.americanradiohistory.com.