Remember last year when I did a set of ta;ls about how we’re moving back toward a patronage-based music culture, much like we experienced from the Renaissance on through the late 19th century? Here’s some more evidence: commissioned songwriting is making a comeback. [via Rhonda, via Dawson]

Here’s a great idea: vocabulary-rich hip-hop compilations distributed by a leading test prep center. What kinds of alternative sales channels can you think of today?

Bob Baker’s finally lending his considerable experience to the blogosphere, and he weighs in on the debate that the Future of Music book is stirring up — imagine a world where new music downloads flow as easily as… tap water?