I read this yesterday while preparing this post, but I missed the significance. From Niyaz’s Myspace blog:

Loga is also working on a solo album which will feature the heart wrenching voice of Persian classical singer Khosrow Ansari. I dare say their album is one of the most exciting works I’ve heard in a long time. Things have changed radically in the music business, and the way in which music will be consumed is being completely redefined, so Loga and I have decided it would not be a good idea to release anything in the near future- at least not until we gain a better grasp of how we want our music to reach audiences from now on.

An exciting and heart-wrenching album…

..shelved until the artists can figure out how to get a fair return for their work again.

I’ve already questioned the logic of treating all music consumption as a lease agreement (to say nothing of Uncle Sam’s bizarre and outmoded web of legislation surrounding these lease agreements). But I never suggested the larger issue — that of getting the artists paid fairly for their work — was anything other than totally intractable. For now the best thing you can do for the artists is to start with the free download. Start. Then, for those recording artists you enjoy, Chris Corner of IAMX has a gentle reminder: “We need you to buy the record, not download it. We need you to buy merchandise and come to the shows. Gone are the days of huge record deals and endless support. We are traveling salesmen and gypsies.”