Free Legal Music

By Simeon | November 17, 2004 10:35 AM | Comments (2)

This month's edition of Wired magazine is a special one. This edition comes complete with a 16 track CD. Well, that isn't anything new is it? Not true. This CD is special because; all tracks are released under different variations of the Creative Commons License. Its just another step into the releatively unkown future of music.

Many artists contributed to the project. There are a few I have heard of like Beastie Boys, My Morning Jacket, Thievery Corporation, Le Tigre, Paul Westerberg, Chuck D, and DJ Danger Mouse. Of course, there are a few artists I haven't heard of like David Byrne, Zap Mama, Spoon, Gilberto Gil, Dan the Automator, The Rapture, Cornelius, DJ Dolores, and Matmos. It is an eclectic mix of many different styles and generes of music. The compilation is a perfect mix for those that like to explore.

Creative Commons is the brainchild of Stanford Law School professor Lawrence Lessig. In our ever expanding digital age, Lessig believes traditional copyright grew obsolete. A new set of rules or standards needed to be established for artists, musicians, writers, and others that produce orginal content. CC is a non-profit that offers "a flexible range of protections and freedoms" to individuals and organizations. The Wired CD, is a great example of the many different types of licenses an artist can apply to their work. Most of the tracks are released under the Sampling Plus License. This means, "Songs under this license allow noncommercial sharing and commercial sampling, but advertising uses are restricted." A few tracks (not surprisingly by the bigger groups) are released under the Noncommercial Sampling Plus License. "Songs under this license allow noncommerical sharing and noncommercial sampling." Isn't that an innovative way to release material to the public?

Back to the music. I have to highlight a few tracks. Before I do, each link in this paragraph will be to the actual tune (mpeg4 w/ID3 tags). Isn't that sweet! All 100% legal. Ok, My Mouning Jacket is awesome. The track, "One Big Holiday", is fast paced, upbeat, and happy. Paul Westerberg's "Looking Up in Heaven" reminds me why this elusive musician is well respected as a singer-songer writer. I really dig "Relaxation Spa Treatment" by Dan the Automator. This track features deep relaxing beats that make you want to chill. If I ever get a spa treatment, the music better sound like this. Last but definitely not least, hometown boys Thievery Corporation with "DC 3000". How can they pull so many musical influences into ever track they produce? I am always very impressed.

If you would like to get your hands on a copy of the full CD, hit me up in person for a burned copy. You could probably find it out on your favorite peer-to-peer network, or you can pick up the issue at a newsstand. I love that all three are legal. The idea behind Creative Commons is smart and revolutionary. I believe CC will help foster the ongoing changes to our culture as we move forward in a digital revolution.