By John M. James

The "Big 5" major music companies-- Sony, EMI, BMG, Universal and the Warner Music Group have laid down their swords and come together to rush the release on Tuesday of America: A Tribute to Heroes, a not-for-profit CD, VHS or DVD documenting the somber benefit broadcast from Sept. 21. The original commercial-free simulcast reached 210 countries and has brought in over $1 million for the Sept. 11 Telethon Fund. To fast-track the set into stores for more fundraising awareness, the major players in the record business waived artist fees and publishing arguments in order to let the music play. Highlights include Bruce Springsteen's "My City of Ruins," Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind," Alicia Keys' "Someday We'll All Be Free," and Neil Young's stunning cover of John Lennon's "Imagine."... Limp Bizkit releases their new remix album on Tuesday on the Flip/Interscope imprint. The 16-track set features mixing board commanders The Neptunes, Butch Vig, DJ Lethal, P. Diddy, William Orbit, Timbaland, and the Dub Pistols tackling "Nookie," "Counterfeit," "My Way" and other songs with the help of guests Everlast, Bubba Sparxxx and E-40. ... Filmmaker Wes Anderson's upcoming The Royal Tenenbaums promises a stunning accompanying CD, just as tasty as his previous Rushmore set. Opening next month, the soundtrack features a score by Mark Mothersbaugh of DEVO, a cover of The Beatles' "Hey Jude" by Elliott Smith and tracks from The Clash, The Ramones, Velvet Underground and Nick Drake. ... KISS and Make-Up, the long awaited autobiography from Gene Simmons of KISS is due next week on the Crown Books imprint. The truth-or-dare sizzler is sure to be ripe with stories of Rock & Roll excess, control of the KISS dynasty and Simmons' own legendary tour dalliances. ... As DVD players become more common in American homes, the new format is continuing to open up new ideas and possibility. Eagle Eye Media has embraced the format for their new Classic Albums series as they look back at seminal Heavy Metal albums. Earlier this month the series debuted with their up-close look at Judas Priest's British Steel from 1980. The documentary features extensive interviews and commentary by the band members, producer Tom Allom and journalist Mick Wall. Highlights include the band demonstrating signature riffs, sound effect secrets and recording session memories from the studio/country house -- famous for where John Lennon filmed his famous "white room" video for "Imagine." Also of interest is vocalist Rob Halford's musings on his replacement by singer Tim "Ripper" Owens, a Rock & Roll Cinderella story recently spun into the film Rock Star. On Tuesday the label issues a similar DVD examination of Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast from 1982, featuring their hit "Run to the Hills." ... Also on the DVD front is this Tuesday's release of Joe Jackson Live in Tokyo, featuring a Jumpin' Jive medley, a lyrically altered version of his "Sunday Papers," and hits like "You Can't Get What You Want," "I'm the Man" and "One More Time." Earlier this month his label, A&M;, released the 12-clip DVD collection Steppin' Out: The Best Of, collecting all his videos from a career stretching musically from energetic Pop/Punk to smoldering nightclub Jazz. ... Look for a new "super-group" of players from Alternative Rock royalty in a new ear-numbing incantation, Tomahawk, and their new self-titled album. Made up of Mike Patton from Faith No More, Duane Denison of Jesus Lizard, John Stanier of Helmet and Kevin Rutmanis of The Melvins, the quartet is hunting scalps on The Melvins' own Ipecac Records label.

New Releases Coming Tuesday
And like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change... Yolanda Adams - Believe (Elektra); Cypress Hill - Stoned Raiders (Columbia) with guests Redman, Method Man and Kurupt; Nate Dogg - Music and Me (Elektra); Fat Joe - Jealous Ones Still Envy (Atlantic); Funkmaster Flex - Volume V (Loud/Columbia); Guided By Voices/Airport 5 - Selective Service (Recordhead) another transmission from the Fading Captain series, this time collecting three super rare 7-inch singles from Robert Pollard and Tobin Sprout; Ice Cube - Greatest Hits (Priority); Mack 10 - Bang Or Ball (Universal); Mushroomhead ­ XX (Universal); Noogie - Remote Controller (Trauma); Not Another Teen Movie - original motion picture soundtrack (Maverick); Outkast - Greatest Hits (Arista); Terry Francis Presents - Architecture Volume 2 (Pagan) dubby "Tech House" from the DJ at London's Wiggle club; U2 - Elevation 2001 Live (Interscope) two-disc interactive DVD filmed by 20 cameras in Boston; Yes ­ Magnification (Beyond) all new featuring their classic lineup of Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White.

E-mail John M. James

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