Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ Universal Music Enterprises) The greatest and the latest are featured among the newest releases in the Icon "best of" series from Universal
Music Enterprises (UMe). Each disc in the Icon series boasts approximately 12 tracks. Among the 10 fresh collections of hits, signature tunes and fan favorites, released April 5, 2011, are Rock and Roll Hall of Famers B.B. King,
Eric Clapton and The Who, each heard with a single disc and a 24-track, two-disc set release. Also presented are single-disc compilations for Cat Stevens, Joe Cocker,
Quincy Jones and
Sublime and the first greatest hits retrospectives from R&B star Avant, alt-rock band Local H and metal group Nonpoint.
The Icon albums are:
-Avant - Icon (Geffen/UMe): The smooth singer brings together his best for the first time, including tracks from his sixth album, 2010's The Letter. Among his earlier faves are "Read Your Mind" with Snoop Dogg, "Lie About Us" with Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and "You Know What" with Li'l Wayne.
-Local H - Icon (Island/UMe): "The Best Of The Island Years," the acclaimed Chicago duo's first collection, features highlights from their three alt-rock pioneering albums of the '90s, including the Top 10 Modern Rocker "Bound For The Floor" as well as "Eddie Vedder" and "All The Kids Are Right."
-Nonpoint - Icon (Geffen/UMe): Two previously unreleased tracks ("Across The Line" and "Pickle") debut on the nihilistic metal group's first "best of." They join an electric/acoustic "What A Day," a cover of Santana's "Evil Ways" and the blistering "Endure" and "Your Signs."
-B.B. King - Icon (Geffen/UMe): Wielding his blazing guitar Lucille, the King of the Blues is heard with his best-known hits, including "The Thrill Is Gone," on both the single- and double-CD editions. Also featured are live tracks and duets with Robert Cray and Bobby Bland.
-The Who - Icon (Geffen/UMe): One of the trinity of greatest rock bands, with The Beatles and Rolling Stones, The Who are indispensable to any rock fan's collection, whether with the single-CD hitfest or the more in-depth double-CD, from "My Generation" to "Behind Blue Eyes."
-Cat Stevens - Icon (A&M/UMe): His distinctive songwriting and unmistakable voice shot him to stardom in the '70s and his songs remain classics, from "Wild World," "Moonshadow" and "Morning Has Broken" to "Peace Train." This disc also updates his career (as Yusuf) with the title track from 2009's Roadsinger.
-Eric Clapton - Icon (Polydor/UMe): The only three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has been hailed from "I Shot The Sheriff" to "Layla." The single-CD edition focuses on the Derek & The Dominos era and the hits that sparked "Clapton Is God" graffiti. The double-CD adds tracks from Cream, Blind Faith and more.
-Joe Cocker - Icon (A&M/UMe): His blues belting and body gyrating have made him one of rock's most unique figures since he performed at Woodstock. This collection features his classic takes on "With A Little Help From My Friends," "You Are So Beautiful," "Something" and "Midnight Rider."
-Sublime - Icon (Geffen/UMe): Spanning the much-lamented band's three major '90s albums, this compilation brings together all of the multiplatinum alt-rocker's signature tunes, from "Date Rape" and "Caress Me Down" to "What I Got," "Greatest Hits" and "Smoke Two Joints."
-Quincy Jones - Icon (A&M/UMe): One of the most honored musicians of our time is celebrated with a disc of hits, several being the original versions of songs on 2010's Q: Soul Bossa Nostra, such as "Sanford And Son" and "Soul Bossa Nova." Guests include Ray Charles, Barry White, Chaka Khan and El DeBarge.
