Analysis: The music industry struggles to make digital leap of faith: major labels embraced streaming at Midem in Cannes last week, but some claim their moves are too little, too late (Guardian) | www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jan/31/music-industry-digital-midem

Playing by the record label rule book gets digital music startups nowhere (Hypebot) | www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/01/the-record-labels-rule-book-gets-you-no-where.html

Opinion: YouTube Director of Content Partnerships Chris Maxcy: Free music can pay as well as paid music (Evolver.fm) | http://evolver.fm/2011/02/02/free-music-pays-as-well-as-paid-music-says-youtube/ 

News: BASCA: "We want to see all rights returned back into those collection societies which can offer a relatively straightforward, transparent service where rates for online licences are set out in advance for all rights owners, artists and budding internet entrepreneurs to see." (BASCA) | http://www.basca.org.uk/news/we-need-to-talk-about--licensing/
 

MPA hits back: "Returning all rights to the national collection societies (27 of them in Europe at the last count) would be an entirely retrograde step. It would run counter to the Recommendation of the [European] Commission, and would be against the interests of consumers, music services, publishers and indeed the songwriters and composers BASCA represents" (MPA) | http://www.mpaonline.org.uk/mpa_news/licensing-solutions-digital-europe

Analysis: Paul Carolan, Absolute Radio: More audio-consumption is to digital platforms than ever before - not just radio listening via platforms such as DAB, but listening to all forms of digital audio including Spotify, We7 and even YouTube. However, fast-growing digital radio brands that meet audience’s needs such as Absolute 80s, Planet Rock and Jazz FM are at a commercial disadvantage (paidContent) | http://paidcontent.co.uk/article/419-whats-the-commercial-frequency-for-online-radio/

Upgrading FM-only car radios is DAB’s biggest hurdle (Telegraph) | www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8296693/Upgrading-FM-only-car-radios-is-DABs-biggest-hurdle.html

News: BPI condemns BBC axe for Electric Proms: where is the music strategy? (Beehivecity) | www.beehivecity.com/music/bbc-condemns-electric-proms-axein-efficiency-drive-097592/

Obituary: Composer John Barry, famous for his work on the James Bond films, Born Free and Out of Africa has died aged 77 of a heart attack (BBC) | www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12322680
 

John Barry: The composer who was as pop as the Beatles (Guardian) | www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/jan/31/john-barry-composer-soundtracks