Hypebot’s New Music Industry Briefing For Monday April 24 ,2006

London’s Sunday Times reports that EMI/Warner Music Group merger talks are on again with financial advisers on both sides being briefed now preparation for merger talks. “This deal’s going to happen. The only question is timing,”  one adviser told the Times. Some sources see Apple eying EMI as well as they do the music division of BMG which is on the block. (Times UK)

– Neil Young’s new anti-war CD is debuting via the net on April 28 with free full album streaming at his own web site.  On May 2 it hits the download services and a week or two later Warner’s expects to have the CD in the stores. (Reuters)

– A San Francisco judge appears to believe that the major labels illegally attempted to fix download prices and is reopening a major probe closed in 2003. (LA Times)

We reported it last week, but now it’s official: Opie & Anthony to replace Roth on CBS stations in former Stern slot, but also continue XM slot. (Plain Dealer)

– Indie Jazz labels are hoping that paid downloads may be the great equalizer giving obscure product equal digital shelf space to hit product. (Billboard)

– The Jammys, the annual jam band awards and concert, rocked NYC last week highlighting a diverse scene. (AP)

– 80,000 marched in Brussels in honor of a 17 years old killed over his MP3 player. (MediaCorp)