MUSIC NEWS BYTES THE DUST

USHER FILES & FORGETS
Singer-performer Usher has scrapped much of his upcoming album because it has already appeared on Napster. The LaFace/Arista superstar admitted that he had to push back the release of his new record, originally scheduled for last month, because much of the material was leaked to the file-sharing service in January. He told AP at the taping of "mtvICON's tribute to Janet Jackson that all the songs which have appeared on Napster have been dropped. "I couldn't do that to the fans, releasing an album that they have already heard," he said. "But I'm making available to collectors on eBay for the highest offer."

READY TO WALK ANOTHER 500 MILES
The Scottish Reid twins, Craig and Charlie, better known as the Proclaimers, are coming back with their first album in seven years, since ‘94's "Hit The Highway." Nettwerk America will release the band's new album, "Persevere," on May 22, with the first single, "There's A Touch." The duo are best known for the '92 hit, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," will open for Barenaked Ladies on a Stateside tour in August. The two were the subjects of a recent documentary shown on the BBC.

SOMETHING ABOUT MARY
Rockers Seven Mary Three are returning to their roots. Mammoth Records' first-ever Platinum band has inked a new deal with the label for its new album, which will be released June 5, preceded by the first single, "Wait," going out to Active Rock and Post Modern radio next month. The band sold 1.4 million copies of its '95 debut, "American Standard," then remained with Atlantic Records as part of the deal allowing Mammoth to split for Hollywood Records. As part of the deal, the band will now be known as Seven Mary Three-And-A-Half.

QUANGO IN THE PALM
The Quango Music Group has announced a joint venture with Chris Blackwood's Palm Pictures to relaunch the Quango label. The brainchild of L.A. d.j. Bruno Guez along with KCRW/KROQ's Jason Bentley, the Island-distribbed imprint was home for the likes of cutting-edge artists like Kruder & Dorfmeister and Talvin Singh. In all some 28 titles were released, including early tracks by Tricky, Sneaker Pimps and Basement Jaxx. Quango has now been revived by Guez and Blackwell, with a new, fully featured website to launch this spring with a radio module, lifestyle section with city-by-city culture guides and a global products marketplace. Six compilations are slated to come out this year, including "Cosmic Funk," "Mystic Groove," "Brazilified," "Space Jazz," "Dub Selector" and "Lush Life Electronica." Said Blackwell: "There's nothing I like better than to sit back with my bong and groove out to some of these ambient, spaced-out sounds. Now, will you pass me that Ring-Ding?"

MORE DIVAS THAN DRESSING ROOMS
Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott have been added to the line-up of the Fourth Annual "VH1 Divas Live," this year honoring the one and only Aretha Franklin in a benefit concert for the Save The Music Foundation. The concert airs live on Tuesday, April 10 from N.Y.'s Radio City Music Hall. The show will be preceded by a Vince McMahon-produced mudfight between all four, with the winner being awarded top billing.