MP3J: National Public Radio recently weighed in the "MP3J" phenomenon of music discussion blogs that post MP3 files to illustrate and spur debate. The hosts of the sites are said to be "MP3Js."

So far the music industry hasn't sued. Most of the blogs only post the MP3s for a short period, usually about a week. The sites are said to be sort of micro college radio stations, online, and have actually broken a few hits, including LCD Sound System's "Yeah."

This seems to be another reason why the industry should embrace file sharing as simply a radio-like facet of music that can be used to promote record sales. (If you'll recall, the industry was dead against radio when the medium was in its infancy; the music suits feared that they wouldn't get their cut and that it was a form of stealing. Sound familiar?).

The NPR story's here. One of the top MP3 blogs, Fluxblog, is here.

Zero 7 in '04: British down-tempo stars Zero 7 hit the road in luxury this summer for a 15-date American tour sponsored by Jaguar x-type. The car brand has also launched a new site with exclusive Zero 7 tracks as well as others from Thievery Corporation and Rob Da Bank. Check it here.

The Zero 7 tour dates follow (thanks to Chip for the tip):

May15 Atlanta – Earthlink Live
May 17 Miami – Artime Theater
May 19 Washington DC – 9:30 Club
May 20 New York – Irving Plaza
May 21 New York – Irving Plaza
May 22 Boston – Axis Club
May 24 Toronto – Phoenix
May 25 Detroit – Majestic
May 26 Chicago – Park West
May 28 Boulder – Fox Theatre
May 31 Vancouver – Commodore Ballroom
Jun 1 Seattle – Showbox
Jun 3 San Francisco – Filmore
Jun 4 Los Angeles – John Anson Ford
Jun 5 San Diego – 4th & B
Jun 6 Los Angeles – John Anson Ford

Virtual wax: The New York Times today reports on a project by two Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory physicists who have found a way to transfer vinyl to digital formats without actually having to play the records. Their method: Taking meticulous, detailed pictures of the old records and using a computer program they developed to translate the images into soundwaves (e.g. music).

The story's here (registration required).

Whale of a tale: That NASA reunion party last month in New York organized by famed scenesters DB and Scotto and featuring a surprise performance by Moby is rumored to have ended in some financial drama. A post on DB's "Breakbeat Science Forum" states that Scotto allegedly cheated DB out of $12,000 that the British drum 'n' bass DJ put up for the party. Scotto hasn't responded and is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Read the post here (credit to blissblog for bringing this up).

Coa-check-it: The reviews of the fifth annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival are in, and they're mostly good. I review the dance acts for this week's LA CityBeat.

My hightlight was Air at dusk, which transformed itself from an unassuming French downtempo duo into a prog-rock monster on stage, filling the warm desert air above Indio, Calif.'s Empire Polo Field with wafting, whirling organ notes and large piano keys. Basement Jaxx also rocked things up with a live band, but they also celebrated the soundclash of the mash-up with tunes that pitted 50 Cent ("In Da Club") against the White Stripes ("Seven Nation Army") and its own "Romeo" against the bass-line of the Clash's "Magnificent Seven."

This year's two-day festival sold out at 50,000 tickets each day, despite the more-than 100-degree temperatures and three-hour drive from Los Angeles.

The New York Times, Los Angeles Times (subscription only), Rolling Stone, Reuters (suggesting setting a reality show, "Survivor: Coachella," at next year's fest), NME and Billboard all weighed in today.