Beyonce album off to strong start despite bad buzz

Beyonce performs on the Pyramid stage on the last day of the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset June 26, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Cathal McNaughton

By Gary Graff

Thu Jun 30, 2011 7:29pm EDT

DETROIT (Billboard) - After reports of dissatisfaction, panic and other pre-release drama, Columbia Records executives say Beyonce's new album "4" is off to a strong start since going on sale worldwide on Monday.

Early indications are that the album will debut at No. 1 in as many as 14 countries, including the United States, Columbia/Epic Label Group Chairman Rob Stringer told Billboard.com.

The first single, "Run the World (Girls)," stalled at No. 29 on the Hit 100 after it was leaked. The album itself was leaked on June 7, three weeks ahead of its June 28 release date. This led to reports that "4" would be delayed and possible altered -- particularly after a tepid response from the blogosphere.

"We didn't want the leaks to happen," Stringer said. "But there was never any discussion of this album moving. It has always been that date. It's been that date for four months now. There was never a conversation about pushing it back, bringing it forward, changing the songs -- none of it."

Stringer said the company is looking at an 18-month campaign for "4," which will include "extensive touring" by Beyonce. Just back from a successful overseas run that included three concerts in France and a closing-night gig at the U.K.'s Glastonbury Festival, she'll roll out a documentary, "Beyonce: Year of 4," on Thursday on MTV and BET, then perform Friday on ABC's GMA Summer Concert Series. She'll head back to the U.K. for a July 9 show at Scotland's T in the Park and a stop the next day at a festival in Ireland.

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Review: Bo-Keys rely on vets for strong new album (AP)

By MICHAEL McCALL, For The Associated Press Michael Mccall, For The Associated Press – Fri Jun 24, 3:12 pm ET

The Bo-Keys, "Got To Get Back!" (Electraphonic)

The Bo-Keys not only extend the venerable Memphis tradition of recording instrumental rhythm & blues, the multi-generational band also employs several veterans who played on the original Stax and Hi label recordings that the Bo-Keys emulate.

The band's first album in seven years, "Got To Get Back!" highlights contributions from players who toured and recorded alongside B.B. King, Al Green and Isaac Hayes, as well as trumpeter Ben Cauley, the lone surviving member of the Bar-Kays from a plane crash that also took the life of Otis Redding. Known as an instrumental group, the new album showcases several soul and blues vocalists who span the ages, including William Bell, Otis Clay and Charlie Musselwhite.

Perhaps it is the participation of so many veterans, or perhaps it is the passionate zeal of band leader Scott Bomar, but for one reason or another, the Bo-Keys present a muscular yet spare sound that captures the grit and grease of classic, horn-driven R&B. Where many revivalists pale compared to the originals, the Bo-Keys would have fit right in next to legendary Memphis musical crews the Bar-Kays and Booker T. & the M.G.'s.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: On the title track, "Got to Get Back (To My Baby)," Otis Clay growls and roars against a rousing brass backdrop, charging through the pumping track with a sweaty ferociousness reminiscent of the late Wilson Pickett.

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