Pop: Sleeve Notes

THE SPICE GIRLS are being scrutinised by the Catholic League in America. With an insight that harks back to the furore surrounding rock'n'roll and sexual mores in the Fifties, the largest Catholic civil rights organisation in America has said: "The Spice Girls have been exploiting girls their age and younger for a fast buck by hustling their bodies. The message they send is invidious and pernicious." The Spice Girls, however, have a strong linguistic defence, as they use words that teenagers understand. Meanwhile, policemen in Detroit are urging local politicians to ban rap concerts following a series of fights after performances by the rap acts Scarface and Master P.

UB40'S ALI Campbell and Brian Travers are to become record-label owners. The duo have joined forces with Jetstar, a London-based distributor involved in promoting Jamaican reggae acts in Britain. They plan to encourage another underdeveloped market and form a "roots and dance hall label" called Oracabessa Records. Curt Mayfield, formerly of Tears For Fears, is opening his own management company, Zerodisc. At least from one of his signings you can expect to hear great things, as Mulu have already impressed critics with an eclectic debut album. Meanwhile Dolly Parton has become involved in a rather more bizarre enterprise - "Twin Peaks". The country and western singer is building a roller-coaster with two giant loops inspired by her world-famous boobs. It is currently the most popular feature in her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

THERE HAVE been more attention-grabbing antics by Hole's Courtney Love, below. The rumour that Garbage's lead singer Shirley Manson and Love are planning a collaboration is a surprise after the lavish praise for Manson in recent Love interviews. Meanwhile Love cancelled an appearance on last week's TFI Friday after Chris Evans' wouldn't agree to two small requests - to sign a 17-page list of interview restrictions and allow her to appear on the show with Hole's bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur.

AFTER U2'S pop tour reached new heights of showmanship/egomania, extravagant dress and carbon monoxide emissions, they have dazzled the music industry once more after signing a huge deal with Polygram for the release of three "Best of" albums. The first will be The Best of U2 Volume One 1980-1990 and hits the stores on 2 November. Meanwhile the jazz legend Ahmad Jamal is filing a suit against MCA Records claiming unauthorised reissues of his work, including use in the film and soundtrack of The Bridges of Madison County.

KISS ARE following in the footsteps of David Bowie, announcing the launch of their own Internet Service Provider. Users will get Kiss-customised Internet access, unlimited web access, Kiss e-mail, personal web pages and chat rooms. But some who remember this hard rock group in their Seventies heyday may not find devilish and clown-style imagery as attractive as the upmarket artistry of Bowie.

THE REVOLUTIONARY MP3 technology, touted as the solution to delays in downloading music from the Internet, has been given a boost by the Beastie Boys. The MP3 has met with resistance from the music industry because it is used for music piracy, but the Beastie Boys have begun to release exclusive live track through the band's official website. "Enjoy, and be good," it warns. "Sharing with friends is OK; selling for profit is not... We're playing your game, have some respect and play ours." Geffen Records also offers the MP3 option on its DreamWorks Records site.