Passing it Along

Two cool things to link today. Not much to talk about right now. Big meetings later this week and i'll be producing KK Alese from the Caribbean all week. She's up here starting Wednesday cutting vocals on her first single also featuring Bounty Killer. They are shooting a video at the end of the month. it will be hot hot hot!!

So, one of my inspirations, idols, role models in the music industry is Rick Rubin. And one of the main reasons he is all of these things to me is because of his depth and versatility. He's done huge projects in hip hop, metal, country, alt rock, fill in musical style here. If you know my credits then you know how many genre's i regularly work in. And if you know my background then you know my entreprenurial spirit. Anyway, i definitely look up to him. Here's a GREAT article on Rick Rubin and the music industry. Its long, ten pages, but a must read if your in the industry.

CLICK HERE TO READ


Also, i was surfing yesterday and found the coolest thing. On Radiohead's website, they blog very regularly. Nigel Godrich posted a great blog dated June 15, 2007. you only have to scroll a little bit to find it. Its a video blog of bits of outtakes from the new album, and its a fascinating little listen. Enjoy and check it out.....

Radiohead June15 Blog

- Ken Lewis

BMV Worldwide

When i set out to work with Icelandic artist "BMV", i really had no idea what the potential of the music we were making could be. All i can do is make the best record i can make, hand it over and let the rest of the engine do its work. I have no part in promotion, marketing, touring, etc... Sometimes you make what you think was a great record only to never see it come out. Sometimes the record your making far exceeds all expectations. One good example would be my first platinum album, earned back in 1993, for my work on the "Jason's Lyric Soundtrack". When i was working on that song, for producers Ike Lee III and Freedom, i had no idea the album would go to #1 and sell platinum. Sometimes you know, like when i was recording and mixing "Seven Days" for Mary J Blige. I knew that was a big hit the first time the producer/writer, Malik Pendleton, sang me the demo, even before Mary J sang it. The song was just that good, a classic.

So anyway, BMV's first single "In My Place", which i produced is charting #17 in the nation in Iceland and has now gotten good airplay all over Europe. Most recently, BMV told me it was charting in Greece!!! Who knew?

"In My Place" entered the charts at Radio 1 Serres in Greece at #19, quickly jumped to #10, then #5, and this week to #2!!!!

BMV is sharing the charts with the likes of artists 50 Cent/Justin Timberlake, Plain White T's, Sean Kingston, and Fergie. I'd say he's in excellent company. Congrats BMV!! Keep your fingers crossed for #1 next week!!!! If you'd like to hear BMV, check out his website at

Myspace.com/BMVofficial

Happy Labor Day!

-Ken Lewis