Temptation: Music from Showtime Series Californication Track Packs Revolutionary New Release Paradigm from Abkco via iTunes

New York, NY (Billboard Publicity Wire) August 25, 2007 -- Californication, Showtime Networks' critically acclaimed new comedy series starring David Duchovny opens an express lane on the digital music super highway next month with the release of the first of three 8-song "track packs." Titled Temptation: Music from the Showtime Series Californication, it will be released by Abkco Records exclusively via iTunes (www.itunes.com). The show, the highest debuting scripted comedy series in Showtime history, is rife with contemporary and classic music that underscores its edgy, iconoclastic tone. New episodes of Californication air on Mondays at 10:30pm ET/PT on Showtime.

Music supervisors of the television series Californication Budd Carr and Nora Felder found a kindred spirit in Abkco Vice President Alisa Coleman when they approached her about licensing some source material for the show. Carr, Felder and Coleman discussed the desirability of offering soundtrack music in a more immediate context than traditional albums which are usually released at the conclusion of a series' first season. "We wanted to do something new with soundtracks," Carr notes. He adds, "When Alisa cited Abkco's strong ongoing relationship with iTunes, it seemed like we had the means at hand to provide viewers with an 'evolving soundtrack,'" Carr's term for the aspect of this project where just-heard music is made available to consumers on a regularly scheduled basis -- sometimes even in advance of that music having been heard in the latest episode of the series.

Expressing her great enthusiasm for the revolutionary concept, Coleman comments, "The idea for the evolving soundtrack package in conjunction with a popular television program -- Californication -- encourages and facilitates formerly passive viewers to become active consumers while, at the same time, bringing them closer to their favorite show and its unique music soundtrack."

The first "track pack" of eight songs, reflecting the music of the show's first four episodes, will be available September 10. The initial offering includes a broad spectrum of music ranging from classic rock to new, cutting edge material. These include a Paul Oakenfold remix of The Doors' "LA Woman," that has never before been available digitally, a track from Mike (Faith No More) Patton's Peeping Tom project, one from Tommy Stinson of Replacements renown, a rare Elton John cover by My Morning Jacket, a Rolling Stones classic, a track from Americana sensation Mindy Smith, a song from London-based popsters Arco and a track by straight ahead young rockers Josh Blake and The Country Gentleman never before released. As a value added bonus to kick off the program, the original Californication television series trailer is being added to the initial release available from iTunes.

Two more Temptation: Music from the Showtime Series Californication "track packs" will follow the initial offering, available after every four new Californication television episodes. At the conclusion of the series' first season, all three collections will be available. Each "track pack" will be offered at $7.92 with the three sets, totaling 24 tracks, available at $23.76. Showtime also offers a video podcast on iTunes, which contains behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and producers from the show.

Offering the label perspective is Iris Keitel, Abkco Senior Vice President, "We fully realize that fresh thinking is what's called for in today's quickly evolving music industry and our friends and partners at Showtime clearly concur. We're delighted to have this high-profile opportunity to work with them in offering the music heard on the television series in such a ground-breaking and innovative manner. Our combined approach is both direct and immediate and we're confident consumers will be delighted as a result.

Californication series creator Tom Kapinos is passionate about the idea, commenting, "An episodic soundtrack enables us to establish a musical arc for the show. We're delighted that viewers who want to extend the show's experience can now do so via iTunes."

"We're all looking for music that speaks for and stands behind the show's characters," says Nora Felder who shares music supervising duties with Carr. "It's exciting that viewers will be exposed to artists and music through the show that they wouldn't otherwise know; it's not about who's on a major label but about the music, whatever its origin; listeners want quality and our aim is to fill that demand."

Temptation: Music from the Showtime Series Californication Track Pack #1:

You Can't Always Get What You Want - Rolling Stones

Mojo - Peeping Tom

Rocket Man - My Morning Jacket

L.A. Woman (Remix) - The Doors (Paul Oakenfold)

Light of Day - Tommy Stinson

Pain and Misery - Josh Blake and The Country Gentlemen

Peace of Mind - Mindy Smith

Lullaby - Arco

Californication trailer

The Showtime series is not associated with the Red Hot Chili Peppers musical release "Californication."