we7 News

The Script, Michael Jackson, Dido... Listen for free on We7!

The Script have now had the number one UK album for two weeks in a row. Their self-titled debut album features both of their recent hit singles: We Cry and The Man Who Can't Be Moved (currently in the UK singles chart at number two). Having worked stateside with super producers Dallas Austin, Rodney Jenkins and The Neptunes, the Irish trio have now struck out on their own and are as good live as they are in the studio. Their blend of pop and R&B has sent them to the top of the charts, and you can listen to The Script now on We7!

Michael Jackson has had a long and varied career - going from being a child pop sensation on the legendary Motown label to having one of the biggest-selling solo albums ever, in the shape of Thriller. There is no denying that he has created some of the most celebrated pop songs of all time. Now, to celebrate his 50th birthday later this week, a new compilation - the tracklisting of which has been decided upon by his British fans - has been released. Aptly titled King Of Pop, it contains some of his best-loved songs. You can listen to King Of Pop for free on We7 and watch out for our special Michael Jackson feature coming soon on We7!

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A new album from multi-million-selling singer Dido can only be a good thing, so we are looking forward to November when she releases her third album "Look No Further", the follow up to Life For Rent. After a five-year break, the Grammy award winner returns with her new album, which has been produced by brother Rollo Armstrong (of Faithless) and features contributions from Brian Eno. Get ready for the comeback. You can listen to her first two albums, No Angel and Life For Rent now, for free on We7.

One part Bjork, one part New York punks The Strokes, Ida Maria is the latest in a long line of alternative musical talent to come out of Scandinavia (the aforementioned Bjork, The Raveonettes, Sigur Ros, The Sugarcubes...). Her debut album Fortress Around My Heart has finally arrived, following a string of impressive singles and a year of touring the UK. The album bursts with punky three-minute classics of the kind that will have you on your feet and pogoing about like it's 1976 all over again... Listen to Fortress Around My Heart now, on We7.

Songs For Tibet, Ann West, Primal Scream... Listen for free now on We7!

More than a dozen musicians have come together to release Songs For Tibet - The Art Of Peace. Featuring contributions from Alanis Morissette, Sting, Dave Matthews and many others, this set of acoustic recordings (some original for the project and some acoustic recordings of previously released songs) express our common vulnerabilities and our experiences in pursuing happiness, peace and freedom. You can listen to Songs For Tibet, in full and for free, now on We7.

Ann West has released her debut single, Missed It Again. A song about female solidarity and togetherness, it has a light, contemporary pop sound. Scottish-born but based in Hawaii, Ann has had a fascinating journey through life - from model, to spiritual guru, to radio talk show host. However her dream to sing and write music has now been realised. You can listen to Missed It Again now on We7 for free, and watch out for our exclusive interview with Ann later in the week.

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Bob Holroyd is one of the UK's leading exponents of ambient and chillout music. Always hard to categorise, Bob's music includes influences from extensive travels in Africa and Asia, and ranges from intense walls of percussive drumming to delicate atmospheric soundscapes. His music has been remixed by the likes of Coldcut, Steve Lawler and Francois K. His new album isn't due for release until early next year, but you can listen to his most recent album Hollow Man now on We7.

Primal Scream are one of the most enduring rock bands of the past twenty years. Their nine studio albums to date have covered every imaginable genre of music - from the euphoric acid house era with Screamadelica to the dark electro of XTRMNTR. You can listen to the Scream's incredible back catalogue on We7 for free.

Discover Unsigned Artists

Are you still dreaming of that island in the sun with its white sandy beaches and its turquoise sea? Well, before you book your plane tickets, have a listen to We7's brand new artist, Niki 'Rymple. Discovered in Tobago by the musician Andy Cole, Niki has just launched her first album in the UK, Waiting to be Real which you can listen to now, for free on We7. If you want to learn more about the talented Niki, read our Spotlight interview with her!

Warner Music UK Partners With We7

Warner Music UK and We7, the pioneering ad-funded music service, today announced that music from Warner Music's world class repertoire will be available on We7.com through both on-demand, ad-funded audio streaming and paid-for MP3 downloads. The deal sees Warner Music UK become the first major music company to offer MP3s via the We7 platform.

Under the agreement, We7 users will be able to listen to full tracks and albums on an unlimited basis at no cost, and also create playlists, share their favourites and embed songs into their personal webspace. We7's advertising technology plays short, targeted audio adverts before each streamed track.

We7's on-demand music player is integrated with We7's download store, making it quick and easy for visitors to purchase tracks by Warner Music artists in the MP3 format, which is compatible with virtually any digital music device. As part of the agreement, the two companies will provide a range of value-added digital products such as album bundles with additional tracks, videos and interactive booklets. We7 plans to start delivering Warner Music's content before the end of October.

John Reid, President, Warner Music Europe, said: "We continue to pioneer and develop new ways to enjoy music and we are delighted to be working with a service as flexible and progressive as We7. This innovative partnership brings together two increasingly popular modes of consumption, ad-supported streaming and MP3 downloads, to create a rich, versatile digital music experience that will monetise a broad spectrum of consumer behaviour. By empowering music fans to discover more music, whilst encouraging them to purchase new and exciting digital products, we are providing our artists with a potent means to expand their following and deepen the relationship with their fans."

Steve Purdham, Founder Investor and CEO, We7, said: "Recently there has been a lot of focus on piracy, but this deal is reflective of the radically changing digital landscape where music fans can access high quality, safe and legal alternatives. We're very excited to be partnering with Warner Music and are looking forward to offering first-class content from their impressive roster of local and international acts on We7.com, where music fans get great music for 'free' that they can listen to when they want, and the choice to buy the music they love".

Now on We7: Jakob Dylan, Ciara and more

Jakob Dylan releases his debut album Seeing Things in the UK today. Formally of The Wallflowers, Jakob has recorded Seeing Things with producer Rick Rubin, who has added his sparse, threadbare production to Jakob's sombre, reflective songs. If you're a fan of his father, then you'll love this album, but Jakob's music stands up in its own right; his songs are well-crafted, contemporary and contain nice turns of phrases. You can listen to Seeing Things now, for free on We7.

Pacific Ocean Blue was the first solo album to be released by Beach Boys' brother Dennis Wilson. Long regarded by many as his greatest solo album, thirty years ago it enabled Dennis to step out of the shadow cast by his older brother, Brian. At long last, this lost classic has been reissued with bonus tracks and a second CD of rare tracks from his Bambu project. Long time fans and newcomers to Dennis' work will find much to love in this album. Listen for free, now on We7.

Willie Nelson's album Stardust has been reissued with a second disc of bonus material. Originally released in 1978, the album took many of Nelson's traditional country fans by surprise, containing as it did pop standards that he had loved for decades. With Memphis R&B legend Booker T. Jones producing and arranging, the result, Stardust, became a landmark, its appeal spanning generations. The second disc contains more of Willie Nelson's explorations in the Great American Songbook. You can listen to Stardust here, for free.

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School's out and the summer holidays are here. So while you're packing your suitcase and searching for your swimming trunks, why not put on a little holiday music to get you in the mood? School Disco.com - Summer Holiday has some great holiday tunes to get you ready for two weeks of sun, sea and sangria. And later this week on We7, we look at our twelve tracks to make that summer holiday perfect in our Essential Guide to summer holidays! Listen now to School Disco.com - Summer Holiday on We7!

Get ready for crunk star Ciara's new album, "Fantasy Ride" coming soon to We7. Since making her debut in 2004 with the US number one Goodies, she has gone on to set the R&B world alight. Her single Goodies crossed over from an urban base to become one of the biggest singles of 2005. Her debut album Goodies also featured contributions from Missy Elliot, Lil' Jon and Ludicrus. "Fantasy Ride" hits the UK in November this year and will revisit the same rhythms and vibes that made Goodies an international success. Listen to Goodies here on We7.

Discover Unsigned Artists

Keith Gemmell paid his dues playing rock, jazz and blues saxophone at the age of seventeen in smoky European clubs and US army bases. R&B and soul music was all the rage in Europe and a typical gig, for Keith, involved backing the popular soul artists of the day. You can listen to his mini album Unsafe Sax now on We7.