RIP: Howard Berkeley Matthews, manager of and husband to Salome Bey. In addition to managing the singer's career, Matthews became one of the founders of the First Floor Club, an after-hours jazz spot where he spent decades introducing new singers and musicians to Toronto. He also ran the Underground Railroad restaurant, a mecca for Toronto soul food lovers in its day. His passing was confirmed by singer Shakura S'Aida. No age is given. He is survived by Bey and three children, including singer Saidah Baba Talibah (SATE). A celebration of life has been set for the evening of Sunday, Sept. 18 at Lula Lounge in Toronto.

RIP: Prince Buster (born Cecil Eustace Campbell), legendary Jamaican ska singer, songwriter, record producer and sound system operator. On Sept. 8, in Miami, age 78. His '60s ska and rocksteady hits had a big influence on the late '70s UK ska revival, led by the 2-Tone label. He was regarded as Jamaica's first international musical legend.

-- Breaking news morning is that Gord Downie will release a new solo album, Secret Path, on Arts & Crafts on Oct. 18. The ten song album will be accompanied by Jeff Lemire's eighty-eight page graphic novel published by Simon & Schuster Canada.  Secret Path will appear in a deluxe vinyl and book edition, and as a book with album download. The album was co-produced by Kevin Drew and Dave Hamelin. Proceeds from the album will be donated to The Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation via The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at The University of Manitoba.

-- As many as 20K creators from all creative horizons in Europe have signed a petition asking Brussels to put an end to safe-harbour provisions that allow tech giants such as Google and its YouTube platform to offer fair compensation for use of their works. The list of signatures includes Charles Aznavour, Imogen Heap, Ennio Morricone, and Helmut Lotte.

-- BMI announced Thursday it increased its revenue by US$36M in its fiscal year that ended June 30. The PRO took in $1.013B and paid out $877M to its client members. The company saw foreign income tumble $28M due to currency fluctuations abroad. Digital revenue topped $100M, up 65% over last year.

- Staff at the new Rogers Place arena in Edmonton have put patrons on notice that if they leave the building for a cigarette break during concerts or hockey games they won’t be allowed back on the premises. This breaks from the more permissive rule at the former Oilers home at Rexall Place.

-- Murray McLauchlan tells the London Free Press that he expects to have a new album in the new year; meantime, he has recorded another album with the Lunch at Allen’s ensemble that includes Marc Jordan, Cindy Church and Ian Thomas. He is in the city as part of the CCMA Awards and is to inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame at a gala on Saturday night. 

-- Yoko Ono is reissuing 11 albums through US imprint Secretly Canadian. The recordings were originally released between 1968 and 1985. Additional tracks are part of the reissue program.

-- Universal released Lady Gaga’s new single “Perfect Illusion” to radio earlier today. The track is co-produced by Kevin Parker and BloodPop with the singer.

Jim Kweskin & Geoff Muldaur make a break from their current American tour with a solo Canadian show, at Hugh’s Room on the 28^th of this month. The jugheads are promoting Penny’s Farm, an album set for release on the 23^rd on Kingswood Records.