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CSI Star Releasing Debut Album

Over the course of more than two hundred episodes aired over the past ten years, Robert David Hall has been appearing in living rooms as Dr. Al Robbins, the erudite coroner on CBS-TV's original CSI series.

While his success as an actor is self-evident, there is, in fact, another facet to his talent that has been off screen while "Dr. Robbins" has been in the spotlight. Robert David Hall is also a gifted songwriter, singer/guitarist.

The world is about to find that out in no uncertain terms with the release of Things They Don't Teach You In School, an album debut that's been, in some ways, many decades in the making. (It will hit stores on June 1st) - more of the story here

Ed Harcourt Previewing One Song From His New Album Each Day

Ed Harcourt is treating fans to an exclusive, advance listen of his forthcoming fifth studio LP, Lustre, on his website. Starting last Friday, Harcourt will reveal one song per day, in sequence, leading up to May 3rd, at which point all tracks will have been unveiled and the album will become available for pre-order. The dazzling collection, Lustre, will be released June 15 on Nice Music Group/Piano Wolf Recordings.

From the opening euphoria of "Lustre" to the lupine howl of "Heart of a Wolf," from the sunny yet subversive pop of "Do As I Say Not As I Do" to the beautiful truths of "Fears Of A Father," Lustre is both robust and aerodynamic, illustrating Harcourt's remarkable musical chops, distinctive, engaging voice and his gift for arrangements.

This newest effort follows 2008's The Beautiful Lie, another in a long list of impressive releases. Harcourt entered the public eye with his 2001 debut, Here Be Monsters, which earned him an esteemed Mercury Prize nomination and announced him as a singer, songwriter and musician of rare talent. His repertoire is as diverse as the collection of names he's shared stages with, and veers from romantic to anguished, but always ambitious and rooted in classic pop smarts. - more on this story

Big Ken (334 Mobb) Thanks You For Smoking

Big Ken's solo debut Mixtape, Thank You For Smoking, is finally here!! Bringing a soulful classic sound back to Hip-Hop, Thank You for Smoking, is bound to be the breakthrough tape that takes Big Ken through the roof, past the stars and straight to the moon. Originally from the group 334 Mobb (signed to Def Jam by L.A Reid), Big Ken delivers his solo-mixtape showcasing his high-level of talent, with his versatile ear for compelling music and uncut rhymes.

Travel on a journey with him as the mix-tape uncovers buried, classic songs beginning with the Goodie Mob Prayer, and leads you in to personal yet controversial, feel good music. "I went into a time machine and picked out every song I liked, and everything I liked about music in general, combined it all together and BAM 'Thank You for Smoking' was created."

Thank You For Smoking touches all boundaries of Hip Hop/R & B and the daily struggles of life, such as the personal song to his mother called "Mama Cant You See", or the controversial song "Day-N-Nite" speaking on George Bush, Kanye West, Chris Brown and Rihanna. Big Ken also displays his comedic flair on "Scarecrow" f/Lil Wayne and "Do A Job" as his playful lyrics will make you crack a smile on your worst day. - Free download is here

Vidal Sassoon Movie features Mark Eitzel and members of The National and Arcade Fire

Vidal Sassoon The Movie, Craig Teper's revealing and inspirational portrait of one man who revolutionized hairdressing, features a soundtrack produced by David Spelman, with music by American Music Club's Mark Eitzel, The Jam, Noel Coward, The Loving Spoonful, Jesse Harris, Gustav Mahler, and post-rock chamber ensembles Clogs (featuring guitarist Bryce Dessner of The National), Redhooker, and Arcade Fire side project Bell Orchestre.

The film, which will have its premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival on April 23, follows Bumble & bumble founder Michael Gordon as he sets out to document Vidal's life in a book to be released later this year. The film spans 80 years of Sassoon's life - from a London orphanage, to the Israeli Army, the floors of his salons, and his knighting by Queen Elizabeth II.

David Spelman, the film's music supervisor, explains "Craig Teper is a director with sophisticated and very hip musical taste. He knew exactly what he wanted this score to accomplish. Our music had to tell the audience that there is important stuff going on, not just fluff; that there's gravitas in Vidal Sassoon's life. I think that most filmmakers, in making a picture about hair, would have focused on glamour and pretty girls. This film has those elements, but the post-rock, minimalist soundtrack communicates that there is also a more serious core." - more on this story

Finlay Morton Teams Up With Sharif For Tour

Scottish born songwriter Finlay Morton and Virginia's own Sharif will hit the road for an acoustic tour in May bringing forth songs from their respective new CD's to select radio stations and venues along the East Coast including the House of Blues Foundation Room in Boston and the Living Room in New York.

At first glance the two may seem an unlikely pairing, yet a mutual admiration and similar success stories at radio brought them together organically. Morton is a musical veteran who came to find later-in-life critical acclaim for his solo career in Europe, after establishing himself as the sound engineer for the most famous address in Britain, 10 Downing Street. Sharif is a Virginian born singer-songwriter with an Egyptian/American heritage who plays catchy roots oriented pop music with a slew of TV credits to his name including Supernatural, No Reservations, South of Nowhere and 16 and Pregnant. - more on this story

Sean Jones Recording New Album

Sean Jones is heading back to the studio to record new material for his upcoming album. Sean describes his new sound as Pop Rock with Soul. Heavy distortion and soaring guitar lines juxtaposed over killer grooves and soulful melodies.

Sean will be collaborating with music producer, Stuart Zender. Zender a founding member of Jamiroquai, has worked with the likes of Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo, Mica Paris and Omar to name a few. A personal highlight for the producer was the opportunity to play and record with the legendary Stevie Wonder.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to be working with such a high caliber producer, someone who I truly admire" - Sean Jones. - more on this story

Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra Set June Release

Dubbed 'Best Lounge Act of 2009' by New York Magazine, Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra play a brand of uncategorizable folk/jazz/country/lounge- lizardry that's drawn comparisons to the music of Leon Redbone, They Might Be Giants, Randy Newman and Tom Waits. They release their sophomore studio album HONKER on June 29, 2010.

With melancholy wit and a cockeyed worldview, sepia-toned singer-songwriter Lipton and band-mates Eben Levy (guitar), Ian Riggs (bass) and Vito Dieterle (sax) deliver songs steeped in irreverent sincerity, soul and 50's Memphis groove.

Featuring guest vocals from Matt Berninger of The National, Honker was funded entirely by fans around the world through funding platform Kickstarter, and continues Lipton's unique gift of conveying thoughts and emotions most don't want to admit. - more on this story