News

Soundsareactive.com, an eclectic independent label specializing in "jazz/improv, experimental hip-hop, and electronic artists," is offering a subscription package for its 2005 release schedule. For $35 (US price; the international price is $50), the label will send monthly downloadable MP3 (192kbps) releases for the rest of 2005, four "physical" CDs, and a "tour" DVD titled XN+.

The label points out that the MP3s are free, whether or not consumers subscribe to the package. "Think of it this way," the website explains, "everyone can enjoy the music. However, only some wish to support it. We would rather that everyone be able to listen first and decide if they enjoy it first." Besides, Soundsareactive points out, four CDs plus a DVD for $35 is still a pretty good deal.

Is this the new business model the major labels have been looking for? Probably not, since it grants consumers far too much freedom of choice—particularly the choice of sampling the wares without paying for them. For smaller labels and groups that haven't achieved household name status yet, it's an approach that seems to make sense, mixing, as it does, physical formats with high-quality "free samples." It reminds some of us old-timers of the old $1/disc Warners/Reprise samplers that lured many of us into spending hundreds of dollars, while appearing to offer "almost free" music.

Enlightened self-interest? Sounds about right to us—in fact, that sounds pretty good.