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More of a remix album than a new LP, R finds Stefan Betke revisiting the song that put him on the map as Pole. Originally recorded in late 1996 and initially released by Din in 1998, the Raum 12" made waves in the Berlin dub-techno community and set the stage for Pole's late-'90s breakthrough. In 2001, Betke returned to his early recording and began working on what would eventually result in four different reworkings of the initial "Raum" track. Moreover, he collaborated with guitarist D. Meteo for these four new reworkings, spicing things up a bit. To make an LP out of the affair, Betke then farmed out the "Raum" tracks to Kit Clayton and Burnt Friedman for remix treatment. Each producer offered two differing remixes. So, here's what you ultimately get: the original two "Raum" tracks, four new reworkings by Betke, and two remixes each from Clayton and Friedman. Despite the original source for these ten resulting tracks, the ultimate results are quite eclectic, making for an interesting listen. It's not quite as fascinating as a new Pole LP, but is a nice gap-filler and showcases Betke's commitment to creativity and forward-thinking. [The vinyl version of this album doesn't include the two original versions of "Raum."] ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
MP3 News Breakers: Cassidy, R. Kelly, Ludacris, Barker, Cher
Philly rapper injured in car crash; "Trapped in the Closet" singer gets sued; Ludacris to appear in comedy; Plus-44 drummer breaks arm while wife hits Paris; Cher auction snares $3.5 million.
Cassidy seriously hurt in car accident
Cassidy
Philly rapper Cassidy was seriously hurt in a car accident last night in New Jersey, leaving him in critical condition in a nearby hospital. Cassidy was a passenger in an SUV that was traveling to a studio in Yonkers, New York, when it was struck in the side by a U-Haul truck that had swerved into oncoming traffic, according to MTV News. The truck hit the side of the SUV on which Cassidy was sitting. The rapper is reportedly in critical condition, having sustained a fractured skull and numerous broken bones in the left side of his face. He is said to be breathing on his own and is undergoing a CAT scan. None of the four other passengers in the vehicle were injured.
Cassidy was working on his third album with producer Swizz Beatz, who appeared on Power 106 in Los Angeles today to ask listeners to pray for Cassidy's well-being. The rapper was released from prison in March after serving eight months for involuntary manslaughter and other charges stemming from the 2005 shooting death of Desmond Hawkins. The rapper turned himself in for the murder in June 2005, just as his sophomore LP, I'm a Hustla, was hitting stores. He was cleared of the murder charge but given a prison term of up to 23 months for the other convictions. Time served prior to the conviction made Cassidy eligible for parole after serving 13 months of the sentence.
Alleged mentor sues R. Kelly
R. Kelly
R. Kelly's attorneys are arguable the hardest-working people in the music business. With a trial on charges of having sex with a minor slated for later this year, Kelly has been hit with another lawsuit.
Henry "Love" Vaughn claims that R. Kelly and his entourage stepped on him--but not in the name of love--repeatedly in Kelly's basement. In a lawsuit filed yesterday, Vaughn says that he has been a "mentor and guide" to Kelly since he was a teenager and that he was the brainchild behind the Chicago singer's hit "Step in the Name of Love." Vaughn charges that Kelly reneged on an agreement to split the royalties from the song with him.
Vaughn, who alleges that he has been an employee of Kelly's off and on for several years, also claims that he went to Kelly's Chicago area home in February to watch a basketball game and received the beating of a lifetime. The suit claims that one of Kelly's other employees became "verbally abusive" during the game and that Kelly and others dragged him to the basement, attacked him, and held him against his will. Vaughn's suit seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, and court costs for the assault, false imprisonment, and breach of contract.
In a written statement, a Kelly spokesperson characterized Vaughn as a "disgruntled former employee and hanger-on" who is using the lawsuit to extort money from the singer. In fact, his lawsuit is a pathetic collection of half-truths, distortions, and outright lies," the statement says.
Ludacris signs on for Christmas comedy
Ludacris
Widely praised for his acting in recent dramas like the Oscar-winning Crash and Hustle & Flow, Ludacris is about to take on a less serious role. The Atlanta rapper will play an elf in the upcoming Christmas comedy Fred Claus, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The movie stars Vince Vaughn as Santa Claus' loser brother who returns to the North Pole and almost ruins Christmas. The cast of the film also includes Paul Giamatti and Kevin Spacey.
Ludacris currently has the top-selling album in the US, with Release Therapy his third No. 1 album. He's set to host and perform on the November 18 episode of Saturday Night Live.
The life and times of Travis Barker
Plus-44's Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker.
It's been an eventful week for former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. Barker's new band with fellow Blink alumnus Mark Hoppus, Plus-44, recently ended a European tour to promote their forthcoming album, When Your Heart Stops Beating. But the tour exacerbated a fracture in Barker's arm, which he broke during the shooting of a video for the album's title track and first single. Now a doctor has ordered Barker to rest the arm for eight weeks, putting performances in support of the album on hold.
The injury is not the only turmoil involving Barker, however, as his estranged wife reportedly got into it with his rumored love interest Paris Hilton early Wednesday morning. Both Hilton and Shanna Moakler filed police reports charging battery after an incident at the Hollywood nightclub Hyde, according to the Associated Press. Moakler claims that Hilton's ex, Stavros Niarchos, shoved her down some stairs, while Hilton, with whom the tabloids have romantically linked Barker, claims that Moakler punched her. Police are reportedly investigating the incident.
Cher auction commands $3.5 million
Out with the old.
Cher's auction of clothing, furniture, and other items in the Gothic motif brought in a total of $3.5 million, according to the firm that helped to administer the two-day auction. Cher auctioned more than 700 items in an attempt to redecorate her Malibu home and get rid of the Gothic theme. Julien Auction and Sotheby's handled the event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, auctioning dozens of vintage gowns and flashy costumes, with one outfit drawing $60,000. A black 2005 Bentley Continental GT Coupe fetched the highest bid of $204,000, or about $34,000 more than the asking price. A Gothic revival brass bed, circa 1865, sold for $84,000. Cher said she plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to charity.
Little Kids Rock holds benefit
Little Kids Rock
Jack Black might have brought the School of Rock to a wider audience, but music programs at public schools have been seeing plenty of budget cuts in recent years. The nonprofit group Little Kids Rock hopes to reverse that trend, providing free instruments and music lessons for public school children. The organization is hosting a benefit show in San Francisco October 22, with Santana band vet Gregg Rolie and the Flying Other Brothers set to perform. Check the group's Web site for more information.
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