IB tells Adele-Rubin story

GOING WITH HER INSTINCTS: As Adele’s 21 hits an astounding 10m worldwide, those in the know give kudos to the canny young artist for firmly putting her foot down at a critical moment early in the project. She rejected the original version of the album, which was solely produced by Rick Rubin, and proceeded to recut the bulk of the songs with other producers, including the Paul Epworth-helmed “Rolling in the Deep,” while co-writer Dan Wilson produced second single “Someone Like You.” Adele’s overruling of Rubin, who was not only a renowned producer but also Columbia’s Co-Chairman, turned out to be as brilliant as it was ballsy, further substantiating the foresight of label chief Steve Barnett in signing her, while deepening the perception that Rubin was a bust at Columbia. This anecdote is from I.B. Bad’s next column, which will appear right here tomorrow morning. And so is the closely related next item. (9/22a)