iTunes DRM free songs have metadata about purchaser.

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So, Apple started selling some EMI tunes through iTunes without DRM, but with an additional $0.30 in the price, making DRM free songs $1.29 each. Apparently even though DRM is gone, in its place is meta data about who bought the song! So basically, if you pass your music on to your friends or put it on a file sharing network (or someone else takes one of your songs and puts it online) someone (The Feds!) would be able to track you down. It’s basically designed to scare you off from sharing music. Most people won’t even realize that they might be sharing a song that is “watermarked” since the data is hidden in the music file.

I find it ironic that Apple’s coming out TV ad for the Macintosh at the 1984 Super Bowl depicted Apple smashing Big Brother. My, how Apple has now become Orwellian themselves.

Turn off iTunes Gapless Playback

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Is Apple turning into another Microsoft? They deride anything Microsoft does and poke a lot of fun at them with their hilarious Mac VS PC ads, but maybe that’s all just smoke and mirrors, because they are taking a page right from the Redmond boys and adding feature upon feature to their iTunes software, making it use so much memory that it has become a complete dog. It isn’t as bad as Windows Vista yet (Vista is pathetic…more about that another time) but like most Windows software, it has too much crap that hardly anyone needs.

Gapless playback is the latest feature that they thought everyone needed. We don’t.

Gapless playback is always on in iTunes 7 or later unless the Crossfade feature is turned on. If Crossfade is on, only audio files that have the “Part of a gapless album” option checked and are capable of being played gaplessly will play with no gaps.

The best default setting is to turn Gapless Playback off and adjust the crossfade to personal preference. I actually use a plug-in for iTunes called Bossa. I can totally control my music with it, make schedules and playlists all while iTunes runs in the background. I just use the crossfader and set the segue to what sounds right to me. You can actually use the crossfader to make Abbey Road sound like it was meant to be. It takes a little effort setting the crossfade, but it’s so much better than Gapless Playback!

Here’s how to turn Gapless Playback off.

1. Open iTunes
2. Select all songs in your library – “Ctrl + A” on a PC – Apple key on the Mac
3. Right Click and select “Get Info” – It will warn you about editing all files
4. Check the “Gapless Album” box and set it to “No”
5. Click “OK” and your files should quickly update
6. To avoid even having to do this….don’t upgrade past iTunes 6

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Dub Pistols “Rapture” Video

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The Dub Pistols latest release is called “Speakers and Tweeters” and features 2 tracks with the infamous Terry Hall from the Specials. Some nice original work on the album and they actually do a great cover of the Specials song “Gangsters” with Hall on vocals. The other track with Hall is a cover of Blondie’s “Rapture” done in a killer electro/dub/hip-hop style that makes you forget how many times you’ve already heard Blondie’s version or even all the other covers in the last 25 years or so. Check out the video. Terry must have been a young lass back in the early 80’s cause he still looks pretty good in this video….must be the lighting.

Area54 Cocktail Mix Location Change

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A last minute change of location for next week’s 94/7 Area54 Cuervo Cocktail Mix. It has been moved to Imbibe, 2229 SE Hawthorne PDX. It’s still May 25th from 6-8 PM. Imbibe is a great live music venue with a great menu and even better drinks. See ya’ll there Friday. If you can’t make it and you’re not in the Portland area to listen live to 94/7fm, you can listen live online. Head over to the 94/7 website and click on listen now. You’ll need to register to be able to listen, but you’re automatically a 94/7 Nation member which means you’ll have a chance to win some prizes and concert tickets. Definitely worthwhile!

De Phazz “Hell Alright” Video

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I’ve been playing some tunes off the latest De Phazz release “Days of Twang” on my area54 radio program the last couple of weeks and have been getting great feedback on the album. I’d like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to my girl Beth at Kriztal Records for bringing this record to the States and doing a great job promoting it. Kriztal is by far one of the premier chill/downtempo labels in the country. Check out some of their compilations like, Bedroom Communities and Plush. All of them are loaded with gems and a perfect way to get a taste of the Chill genre.

Check out the De Phazz video of their song “Hell Alright”

Digitalism “Zdarlight” Video

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Digitalism’s first full length is called “Idealism” and will be released on May 21st in Europe and June 19th here in the States………Uhm, why do we have to wait a month? It looks like all their previous 12″ will finally be on one release. Until then, check out a video of their excellent tune “Zdarlight”. This song always gets a great response when we play it on the Cocktail Mix on 94/7.

94/7fm Area54 Cocktail Mix for May

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The next live broadcast of the 94/7fm Cuervo Cocktial mix will be Friday May 25th at a new place called Fusion Lounge. They’re on the corner of 2nd and Couch in old town Portland. The place used to be a hip latin bar called Noche, but it’s under new ownership with a new theme now. The live broadcast portion starts at 6pm, so a perfect time for an after work aperitif and some great music.

The Cocktail Mix is a more upbeat portion of the Area54 program. Check out area54.com for the more chill part of the show.

Vee Mix May ’07

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Sitting here listening to the latest De Phazz album “Days of Twang” and I have to say that I’m somewhat surprised. These guys are prolific producers but I felt that their sound had been getting old lately. Their latest effort is a welcome surprise. A little jazzier then even some of their previous stuff but much more musical all-together. Check them out when you get a chance.

Time now for this month’s Vee Mix. It starts off quite retro with a great remake of the Talking Head’s “Burning Down the House” by one of my favorite Canadian Artists “Tiga“. Then from a reworked Depeche Mode right into Royksopp…..you know, the song from that Geico commercial. Then we’re into some newer music before we’re back in the 80’s with a remake of the one hit wonder Freeez. Out with some ragga and dub stylin’. Enjoy.

1. Finest Dreams (Featuring Kelis) – Richard X
2. Burning Down The House – Tiga
3. Dare – Gorillaz
4. Leave In Silence – Depeche Mode
5. Remind Me – Royksopp
6. Losing My Religion (2006 Shelter Vocal Mix) – R.E.M.
7. Girls In Hats – The Loose Cannons
8. Night Music – Linus Loves
9. Going Nowhere (Whitey Remix) – Cut Copy
10. IOU 2005 (Livewater Club Anthem Vocal) – Freeez
11. Jump N Twist – Freestylers
12. Dancehall Priority – Dreadzone

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Dephazz ‘Days of Twang’ (Kriztal)

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The band DEPHAZZ (formerly De-Phazz) is well known in Europe with six previous albums under their belt and an extensive touring schedule. Clever and campy, downbeat and jazzy, their albums have garnered two Echo award nominations (German Grammys) and numerous top ten/twenty chart positions in Germany but they have only released two albums stateside (on Watermusic Records). They have licensed music for many commercial ad campaigns throughout Europe and have appeared on over 150 compilations worldwide.

“Days of Twang” is considerably more pop/rock driven than their previous releases and is guided by the retro viewpoint of bandleader Pit Baumgartner’s musical roots. Featuring longtime vocal collaborators Barbara Lahr, Pat Appleton and Karl Frierson, this collection spans genres and moods for a truly intoxicating experience.