– Brooklyn, NY-based Purpose Music Group has signed a digital distribution and marketing agreement with San Francisco-based InGrooves. The first Purpose digital release under the new pact will be Angela Johnson’s “Let Me Know” featuring Eric Roberson. The single is from Johnson’s recently release album, “A Woman’s Touch,” which features additional collaborations with Rahsaan Patterson, Gordon Chambers and Frank McComb, among others. Besides Johnson, the Purpose Music Group roster includes Monét, Maya Azucena and DJ
Spinna.
– Time Life celebrates Motown’s 50th anniversary with the 10-CD, 150-track compilation, “The Motown Collection” (July 1). To help promote the release, actor Billy Dee Williams filmed a half-hour show at the Motown Museum in Detroit that showcases 70 clips of historical footage and music spanning the late 1950s through the mid-1970s.
– Mathew Knowles’ Music World Entertainment has partnered with Essence magazine for a CD and DVD series featuring music and live performances from the Essence Music Festival. The series’ inaugural release, “Essence Music Festival, Volume I,” will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from June 17-July 28. Beginning July 29, the CD will be available at all retailers as well as many digital retailers online. Featuring studio recordings of music performed during the festival’s return to New Orleans in 2007, “Volume I” includes songs by Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Common, Robin Thicke and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. The Essence Music Festival was started in 1995.
– “Rock the Paint,” an award-winning film featuring original music and score by Wyclef Jean, will be released on DVD by Allumination FilmWorks (June 10, $29.98). Exploring racism and race relations in today’s society, “Rock the Paint” was written and produced by newcomer Dallas Mitchell Brennan and marks the feature debut of producer/director Phil Bertelson. The film earned the best picture award at the Montclair Film Festival and the creative promise award at the TriBeCa Film Festival.
