Music Wire: If you sign with Starbucks Records, does the deal include free coffee for the duration of your recording contract?

-Shomari Hines Starbucks head barrister, Howard Schultz isn't afraid to take his brand into new territories even if it means walking on thin ice to get there. The coffee company which has dipped its coffee scented fingers into Hollywood and the music business by carrying select releases by major labels in its coffee stores, is now getting deeper into the dirty music game by reportedly planning what sounds like a full service record label. No one knows for sure how this will play on the company's stock price but we don't believe Wall Street will be popping out the champagne if this report turns out to be true, then again Schultz could shock us all. The company is said to be thisclose to landing Paul McCartney as the first release. However if the label name will really be Starbucks Records, the company is already DOA, even if Paul McCartney is dumb enough to sign on the coffee stained dotted lines. But don't listen to us though. The formation of Starbucks Records, as the unit is expected to be called, could be announced as soon as this week, according to these sources. Launching a record label is something "that has been bandied about for quite a while," said one source. "They think they are empowered enough to do that." Said another: "They have a very targeted, efficient distribution channel that allows them to be profitable in a limited way with music." STARBUCKS TO START MUSIC LABEL, EYES MCCARTNEY [NYP]