>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>
>> 430 West Joins in the Fight Against the Majors as
>>
>> Sony Records Passes Rolando's Jaguar Track to BMG
>>
>> Detroit, MI - "The original spiritual concept of soul in Rolando's record
>> is something you just can't duplicate in a note by note cover," Detroit
>> recording artist Lenny Burden says.
>>
>> Burden is responding with forceful action to the recent exploitation
>> orchestrated by a major international corporate entity against a small
>> local independent.
>>
>> The collective action taken by Detroit labels is part of a proactive
>> response to the latest developments in the case involving Sony Records'
>> blatant copyright infringement and violation of intellectual property
>> against DJ Rolando and his record label, Underground Resistance. Sony
>> Records Germany has bowed out, allowing BMG to take over. BMG has
>> decided to release the cover version of the track sometime in February,
>> according to industry reports.
>>
>> Burden announced today that his label, 430 West records, will take the
>> reigns to release a compact disc version of Rolando's hit record,
>> "Knights of the Jaguar". The compact disc will be more widely available
>> in major retailers across Europe and North America, featuring the
>> original "Jaguar" track, previously unreleased DJ Rolando cuts and
>> remixes of "Jaguar" by producers Jeff Mills, Mad Mike and Octave One.
>> Twilo 2K will host the 430 West release party in New York City with DJ
>> Rolando and 430 West DJ Lawrence Burden on Wed. Jan 26.
>>
>> The Dance Division of Sony Records Germany first notified Underground
>> Resistance of their foul plans for a January release date via a series of
>> emails and faxes sent in December 1999. Sony wrote that it intended to
>> release a "note by note" cover version of the underground hit smash. A
>> Sony executive said that he assumed Underground Resistance would not
>> license the track, so instead, the decision was made to steal it. Sony
>> acknowledged plans to eventually pay Rolando royalties, but the issue of
>> intellectual property and copyright still remains unresolved and
>> unanswered by Sony.
>>
>> Sony Germany actually released copies of the cover, "Jaguar" in retail
>> stores internationally in late December, containing no reference to the
>> original recording. Sony Germany was forced to pull the record after a
>> barrage of emails and phone calls protesting the release added to the
>> controversy and negative publicity for Sony.
>>
>> Underground Resistance supporters may have succeeded in alerting the
>> corporation to the sensitive nature of such a crime, but the offense and
>> the personal damage to Rolando's name did not cease. Sony opted to pass
>> the buck to BMG executives, who have signed the producers of the cover
>> track, "Jaguar" to their label, and the infraction against Rolando grows
>> in scope with the pending cd and vinyl release on BMG.
>>
>> DJ Rolando may have a fight on his hands, but this action by a major
>> label has prompted a showing of strength in the underground community. It
>> is assured that given a voice, this community will not be silent. For
>> over a decade, Direct Beat, 430 West and Underground Resistance Records
>> have teamed up to be major players, proponents, and innovators in the
>> development of Detroit Techno. The response is indicative of how these
>> separate entities come together to defend their music -- even when
>> violated by soul-stealing majors.
>
