The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s third and final studio album, Electric Ladyland is widely considered Jimi Hendrix’s crowning achievement and focuses attention on the artist’s abilities as singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer. This stunning collection provides the earliest insight into Hendrix's "Sky Church" concept with featured guest appearances by Steve Winwood, Jack Casady, Al Kooper, Chris Wood, and Buddy Miles. Features 16 of the most enduring Hendrix classics including "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Crosstown Traffic," "Gypsy Eyes," and "All Along The Watchtower." Electric Ladyland This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Electric Ladyland, an occasion that is being celebrated with the release of an expanded cut of the critically acclaimed documentary, At Last ... The Beginning: The Making Of Electric Ladyland. If you missed this film when it first debuted on PBS television in 1996, be sure to grab ahold of this expanded Director’s Cut; available on DVD and as a Special CD+DVD Collector’s Box, coupled with a digitally remastered CD of Jimi Hendrix’s unparalleled Electric Ladyland.

Source: Jimi Hendrix Website

Gripping virtuoso guitar licks and a glimpse at history as it was being made accurately summarize Jason Becker's new album, Collection. Jason Becker began his career as a Shrapnel recording artist by joining forces with guitar virtuoso Marty Friedman to form seminal progressive metal pioneers CACOPHONY. Amassing worldwide acclaim as a guitar virtuoso, Becker came to the attention of David Lee Roth who was looking for a guitarist to replace Steve Vai and the rest is history. Jason Becker still has a strong desire to compose, despite paralysis from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gherig's disease), and Collection not only contains some of Jason's favorite moments from his Shrapnel and David Lee Roth recordings, it also features three new Becker compositions, each as impressive as anything he has recorded in the past. Jason has enlisted some of the largest names in instrumental guitar music and has as many as three guitarists per track trading off riveting performances - including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Michael Lee Firkins, Marty Friedman and Greg Howe. Collection is exactly the kind of record that Jason Becker fans have been waiting for.

Source: Steve Vai Website

Institute of Contemporary Music Performance student Caitlin Kelly has been nominated as one of only 6 finalists competing at the MBF Songwriting Awards 2008 showcase final. Caitlin is a talented singer/songwriter currently studying on the Institute’s BMus Degree programme in London.
 
The annual MBF awards promote new songwriting talent and the winner will receive £5,000 towards a creative songwriting project such as recording, composition or performance. The judging panel is expected to include some of the best songwriters in the business. Previous panels have included songwriting greats Guy Chambers, Cathy Dennis, Nik Kershaw and Dan Gillespie-Sells from The Feeling.   

Since the awards were launched in 2003, previous winners have included The Wombats, who are currently enjoying huge chart success and have been described by the NME as "The most infectious indie-pop riot since Kaiser Chiefs”, and Hannah Rei who has been making her name in the R’n’B world, signing with US based 50/50 Music Inc/Konvict Muzik earlier this year and writing material for rising hip-hop star Qwes (Universal Music). 

This year the MBF is also working closely with the Musicians Union (MU) and is able to offer all finalists free attendance on two professional development courses, seminars or workshops organised by the MU and the opportunity to meet with their regional MU representative to receive specialist advice and career guidance.

The final will take place on Tuesday 25th November 2008 at The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, London SW12 9HD at 8pm. The night will also feature a special guest performance from last year’s winner Justin Saltmeris from Bath Spa University. Singer-songwriter Saltmeris, who was the unanimous winner at the 2007 Awards with his acoustic folk-pop, has just completed a full UK tour using his £5,000 award.

For further information on this or other ICMP events, contact:

• 020 7328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk
• www.icmp.co.uk
• Caitlin Kelly

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and Marshall, two leading names from the world of contemporary music, are delighted to announce that they will be working in partnership to help support aspiring young musicians and creative artists in their education and creative and career development.

The two parties will combine to ensure that students at the Institute will have access to a wide range of Marshall equipment, both during their courses as well as for private practice and performance. In addition, the partnership will develop and promote various initiatives, including the opportunity to win Marshall gear and places on selected Institute courses. Details of these developments will be announced in early 2009.

Mark Sawyer, Area Manager for Marshall, had this to say:

Marshall is proud to join forces with The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance to enable musicians from around the country access to the best amplification equipment  available today, helping creative artists, musicians and students to create fantastic new music!

And Paul Kirkham, Director at the Institute, commented:

While we have been working closely with Marshall for some time already, we are very happy now to formalize this partnership and develop a range of new benefits for our current and future students here at the Institute. Marshall is an iconic name in the music industry and we are proud to be associated directly with an organization that not only produces great equipment but also understands the value of education and training for the contemporary musician.”
 
For further information, contact the Institute directly on:

• 020 7328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk
• www.icmp.co.uk

Seattle, October 20, 2008 - Today, Seattle-based Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Authentic Hendrix, LLC, owners of the Jimi Hendrix music, trademarks and licensing rights, were victorious in their trademark infringement case against Craig Dieffenbach and his companies. United States District Court Judge Thomas S. Zilly entered a permanent injunction prohibiting Dieffenbach, Electric Hendrix Spirits, LLC and others, from using Experience Hendrix trademarks on their vodka and other products. The injunction also requires Dieffenbach to demand that all distributors and licensees immediately withdraw the vodka and other infringing products from the market and cease all related advertising. In March 2007, Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix filed a lawsuit charging that Dieffenbach and his companies had infringed on Experience and Authentic's Jimi Hendrix trademarks in an unauthorized, tasteless promotion of "Hendrix Electric" brand of vodka. The Complaint alleged that Dieffenbach intended to deceive the public into believing that the Jimi Hendrix family companies had authorized this sale of vodka and other products.

"Since my father founded Experience Hendrix, we have been committed to preserving Jimi Hendrix's music and artistry," said Janie Hendrix, CEO of Experience Hendrix. "This illegal use of Experience Hendrix trademarks has degraded that legacy. We are grateful the Court has permanently enjoined future infringement of our marks and look forward to recovering the damages we've incurred from this illegal and tasteless activity."

The trial of Experience Hendrix's multimillion dollar damage claim against Dieffenbach will begin in February 2009. About Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix: Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Authentic Hendrix, LLC, are the family owned companies entrusted with preserving and protecting the legacy of Jimi Hendrix. Visit www.jimihendrix.com for more information.

When Gibson Guitars and Columbia Records recently teamed up to host a very special playback of AC/DC’s new studio album ‘Black Ice’, they called the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) to invite ten lucky students down to join in the party. The exclusive album playback took place in the Gibson Guitar Studios in London on Tuesday 14th October, a whole week before the album hit the shops on its official release. By all accounts the ICMP students had a great time, including playing Gibson air guitar along to the new AC/DC tracks, whilst enjoying the hospitality at the free bar! ‘Black Ice’, is the long awaited new studio album from AC/DC. It is the band’s first full-length studio album of all-new material since the release of ‘Stiff Upper Lip’ in 2000, and is the band's debut recording for Columbia Records. AC/DC will embark on a major world tour, the group's first since 2001, beginning late October 2008.

On Wednesday 19th November 2008, Larry Carlton will be headlining a fantastic blues-focused master class, running from 6.00 to 9.30pm, hosted by the Guitar Institute in London in association with Guitar Getaways Awaydays. This unique and intimate event will feature:

• A ninety minute guitar workshop hosted by the Guitar Institute, focused on modern blues playing.
• A ninety minute guitar Masterclass with the incredible Larry Carlton.

For further information or to reserve your place, contact:

- Guitar Getaways, www.guitargetaways.com

- The Guitar Institute, enquiries@icmp.uk.com,www.icmp.uk.com

Greg Howe will embark on his first-ever European solo tour in October/November 2008. The tour will feature new material from Howe's new album "Sound Proof" and of course old favorites. Greg Howe's band lineup is, Gianluca Palmeri (drums), Jon Reshard (Bass), and Dennis Hamm (Keyboards). For information on tour dates and venues please click here.

Naked Tracks Vol. 1-5, is a series of recording packages that contain mixes of Steve’s songs without the lead guitars. They are offered as “play along tracks.”

Included are select backing tracks from "Passion and Warfare", "Sex & Religion", "Alien Love Secrets", "Fire Garden", "The Ultra Zone", "Alive In An Ultra World", "Real Illusions: Reflections" and others.

Steve comments on the package:

"Through the years, whenever I would mix my records I would usually do a mix of specific songs without the lead guitar. This allowed me to play along with the track or make loops to jam to, and because I figured perhaps someday maybe others would like to do the same. Voila! We have arrived at someday.” “Playing to these naked tracks, or creating loops of various sections to endlessly meander over, is a phenomenal way to discover unique musical ideas from within yourself.” “When we are playing an instrument and our mind enters that exclusive elusive mental real estate of our own personal muse, it can result in a form of musical meditation.” “This series of play-along CDs is designed to help create an atmosphere of focus so you can shred yourself into a personally-induced inspirational nirvana.” “For the most part, the tracks in this series are presented in their original form with the lead guitar removed. In some cases I looped the solo sections to give you an opportunity to stretch out. I suggest you import these files into a sequencer program of sorts (ProTools, Band, etc.) and create loops of various parts of the songs to jam over. It’s an excellent way to develop your inner musical ear.” “One way to play along with these tracks is to learn the original guitar parts that are on the album versions of the songs, but I would encourage you to take a more active role in using these tracks as a bed to lay your own creative interpretation over. There are really no rules. So sit back, flip on a naked track and dress it up with your own artistic musical apparel.”

Naked Tracks Vol. 1 - 5 are available now for download through your favorite online music retailer. A physical 5 CD package of Naked Tracks will be available through Steve Vai website in October.

I just couldn't resist to post this amazing video from youtube... GUTHRIE GOVAN IS JUST AWESOME!!

1. Best chord voicings - Eric Johnson
2. Best use of capo - James Taylor
3. Best strumming - Pete Townsend
4. Best use of E-Bow or sustaining device - The Edge
5. Best vibrato - BB King
6. Best string bending - David Gilmour
7. Best finger picking - Mark Knopfler
8. Best hybrid picking - Albert Lee
9. Best tapping - Eddie Van Halen
10. Best palm muting - Al Di Meola
11. Best sweep picking - Yngwie Malmsteen
12. Best speed, Best alternate picking, Best string skipping - Pablo Gilberto
13. Best pinched harmonics - Zakk Wylde
14. Best use of an effect - Tom Morello
15. Best legato - Satch
16. Best fretting hand reach, Best use of harmonics - Steve Vai
17. Best use of slide - Sonny Landreth
18. Best feel - Jeff Beck
19. Best timing - John Schofield
20. Most creative/experimental player, Best use of whammy bar, Overall winner - Jimi Hendrix

One of the world’s most famous British amplifier brands, Orange Amps, has just announced a major theft of a container load of amplifiers from its Borehamwood premises. Used by some of the biggest stars such as Madonna, Led Zeppelin Prince and Kaiser Chiefs, the robbers targeted this prestigious brand to carry out a daring raid on Saturday 16th August.

The one hundred forty one Orange Tiny Terror Combo Guitar Amps, which have a combined value of over £60,000, were part of the first shipment of the much-anticipated amps into the UK. The product was launched at the Frankfurt music exhibition earlier this year, on the back of the award winning acclaimed Tiny Terror amp which has sold over 30,000 units and proven to be one of the most in-demand amps in the world. The combination amp and speaker has a value of £439 each and was stolen from a temperature controlled, sealed forty foot container. The robbers couldn’t break the locks so they attempted to use an acetylene welder and then angle grinders to cut through the quarter inch locking steel plates.

As this was part of the first delivery into the UK, only 121 units had been shipped into music shops, so this is still a highly sought after amp with very limited availability. Orange recently won the Queens Award for Enterprise - International Trade. The Police have launched a major investigation and informed all relevant port and home authorities. Orange Amplifiers are putting up a reward of £5000 for information that will lead to a successful conviction and recovery of these amplifiers. If you have any information please contact the local Police force on 0845-3300222, quoting Crime Number J1/08/3588. The company have the serial numbers of all the products stolen which is available on it’s website at www.orangeamps.com
info@omec.com

Tel ; +44 208 905 2828
Fax ; +44 208 905 2868

(Seattle, WA) - Originally unveiled to the public during a ceremony on June 28, 2006, Jimi Hendrix Park, located at 2300 S. Massachusetts Street in Seattle, Washington received its latest addition recently with the placement of the official City of Seattle Park sign at the park's entrance. Jimi Hendrix Park is also located adjacent to the Northwest African American Museum (previously home to Colman School) in Seattle's Central District; the area played home to a young Jimmy Hendrix while he grew up. Together, these new installations make up part of the Urban League Village, which was unveiled in 2005. Visitors to Jimi Hendrix Park are also encouraged to experience the Northwest African American Museum which present exhibits and programs that feature historic and contemporary narratives that include the visual arts, crafts, music, literary and culinary culture of African Americans in the Northwest as it has developed from the 1840s to the present. Several exhibit pieces commemorating Jimi Hendrix's legacy and lasting influence in the Pacific Northwest are on display in the museum.

Tony Hernando is one of the most exciting guitarists in Europe today. With three solo albums, including his acclaimed “III” , and the stunning DVD / CD entitled “TH III Live!”, Tony is now in the production stages of the new solo album with drummer extraordinaire Mike Terrana, and is also the new guitarist for the Spanish Metal band Saratoga, with a brand new album released called “VII”.

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and Gibson Guitar, two leading names from the world of contemporary music education and guitars, are delighted to announce that they will work in partnership to help support aspiring young artists and musicians. Gibson is surely the most famous name in the world of guitars. They have a heritage that lasts over one hundred years, were already established forty years by the time the electric guitar erupted into the world, and have created some of the world’s most iconic instruments. This spirit of innovation is still very powerful within Gibson, and not only in the design of the next generation of instruments. Importantly, they actively support the development of young new artists, and where better to find that talent than at the Institute. The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (of which the legendary Guitar Institute is a part) lays claim to almost a quarter of a century of heritage and experience in creating and delivering ground breaking courses for students of guitar, bass, drums and vocals. It has an international reputation for excellence and innovation and its portfolio of courses is widely regarded as the best training for musicians wishing to forge careers in the music industry. To mark the start of the partnership, Managing Director Pete Whittard and three lucky students recently headed to Gibson’s London HQ and picked up a range of Gibson, Epiphone, Tobias and Valley Arts instruments for students to use while studying at the Institute. And as well as having the chance to play a dream guitar every day, Institute students will now also have unrivalled access to participate in the many showcases and gigs supported by Gibson Guitar. Pete Whittard, a Director at the Institute, commented; “Gibson and the Institute share so many values, such as a commitment to quality, innovation and to developing young talent. This is great news for both brands and we look forward to working together to develop some fantastic projects and student opportunities!”

For information on Institute events, many of which are open to the public, contact the Institute on: - 020 7328 0222 - info@icmp.uk.com - www.icmp.uk.com

About The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance:
The Institute is widely recognised as Europe's finest school of modern music. Established almost a quarter of a century ago, the Institute has been developing and delivering cutting-edge courses to students of contemporary music for longer than any other UK-based school. Originally known as the Guitar Institute and Basstech, the school has built its reputation on providing world class teaching using the very best teachers and state-of-the-art facilities. It now offers a range of professional courses including a 3-year Degree (BMus), a fully-funded one year Diploma, a specialist one year Higher Diploma, plus a wide portfolio of part-time courses designed to meet a variety of training needs for guitarists, bass players, drummers and vocalists. Past or present Institute students can be found everywhere, touring with the likes of Katie Melua and Moby, playing with bands like Radiohead and Babyshambles and artists like K. T. Tunstall and Beverley Knight, and also working as teachers all over the world.

About Gibson Guitar:
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson's HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar and the Gibson Robot Guitar represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer.
Visit Gibson's website at www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press.
Gibson Guitar Contact Jeremy Singer – Gibson Guitar UK PR Manager
Tel 020 7167 2144 – Email jeremy.singer@gibson.com

EXCEL LONDON. 12, 13, 14 & 15 of June. The London Guitar Show is now established as the biggest public Guitar Show in Europe. See, play and demo the latest gear from Fender, Yamaha. Roland, Peavey, PRS,Warwick, Music Man, Ibanez, Vox, Marshall, Korg, Lag, Washburn, Fret King, Dean, Aria, Laney and many many more...... its the biggest and best LGS yet. As well seeing and playing some fantastic guitars and auditioning some incredible amps and effects you can also attend a range of informative seminars and Q and A sessions or take in one of the many on stand artist demos. Visit the famous LGS Live Hall. Joe Satriani will be the Star of the Big Show with some other pretty special players appearing too, so keep an eye on that web site for more news.

• Joe Satriani tickes: £15.00. This ticket is for Sunday, 15th of June at 12.00. There are only 3000 tickets available for this performance. A special offer ticket of exhibition entry PLUS the Joe Satriani concert is also available at £25.00 for a limited period only.

London Guitar Show Main Stage Live Concerts:

Saturday 14th June:

• 11.15 Phil Hilborne & Guests
• 12.20 Billy Sheehan
• 13.30 C3
• 14.20 Paul Gilbert
• 15.10 Guitar Idol Competition
• 19.00 Evening Concert (announcement coming soon)

Sunday 15th June:

• 12.00 Joe Satriani
• 15.30 RD AllStars

For more info visit the London Guitar Show Web Site below:

Source: London Guitar Show

Metallica will tour Europe from the 16th of May until 24th of august.

The tour will start in Poland on the 28th of May and will continue throughout all the summer with the conclusion in The Festival of Reading in United Kingdom on the 24th of August.

For more info visit the link below: