Hal Leonard

Hal Leonard has published a new book, The Best of The ’80s, that compiles 80’s articles from Keyboard magazine.

Description:

The editors of Keyboard magazine have culled that era’s most insightful and landmark articles and combined them with a wealth of insight looking back now some 20 years later to paint a vivid and accurate picture of just how groundbreaking the keyboard’s role was in crafting the sound of an era. The book features 20 in-depth interviews with noted players and producers like Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes, Depeche Mode’s Vince Clarke, Peter Gabriel, and The Human League, as well as such visionary pioneers as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Frank Zappa.

Keyboard magazine editors Ernie Rideout, Stephen Fortner, and Michael Gallant uncover the true stories behind the gear, the production techniques, and the real stories of some of the 1980’s most definitive keyboard-driven recordings.

MSRP $19.95.

Hal Leonard has released the first four Apple Loop products in their TrackPak series for Garage Band. Each release contains loops for 12 hit songs in a different genre: Classic Rock, Modern Rock, Hip Hop, and R&B.

In addition to loops for individual instruments from each song, each TrackPak comes with full audio tracks for those who like to make their own loops, plus fully mixed GarageBand projects for each song. Every TrackPak also comes with a book containing complete musical notation and guitar tablature for every loop.

TrackPak features professionally produced versions of well-known songs such as Nirvana’s “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit” (Modern Rock), 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” (Hip Hop), The Commodores’ “Brick House” (R&B), and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” (Classic Rock).

Retail price $29.95.

For more information, complete songlists, downloadable sample loops, and clips from full mix versions, visit the TrackPak website.