2nd to None

2nd to None is a collection of songs by American rock and roll icon Elvis Presley. The album was released by on October 7, 2003 by RCA Records (see 2003 in music) as the sequel to the previous year's highly successful ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits.

The album included Elvis's #1 singles that did not appear on the previous release, other notable recordings by the artist, one previously unreleased recording ("I'm a Roustabout") and a remix of "Rubberneckin'" by Paul Oakenfold.

Although not as successful as its predecessor, 2nd to None made the top 10 in at least nine countries and received certifications in several regions.

Production, artwork and packaging

2nd to None was produced by Ernst Mikael Jorgensen and Ray Bardani. Bardani also mixing many of the songs on the collection with the assistance of Matt Snedecor, while the tape transferring and mastering on the recordings were handled by Andreas Meyer and Vic Anesini, respectively.

The release's primary artwork consists of a picture of Elvis' head and the number 2 against a black background. The release's art direction and design was handled by Mike Jurkovac. The artwork and design for the European release of the album was different, being very similar to ELV1S and having the art direction and design by the same person, Thomas Vasquez.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll", or simply, "the King".

Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, as a twinless twin, and when he was 13 years old, he and his family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. His music career began there in 1954, when he recorded a song with producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was an early popularizer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who managed the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number-one hit in the United States. He was regarded as the leading figure of rock and roll after a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines that coincided with the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, made him enormously popular—and controversial.

Paul Oakenfold

Paul Mark Oakenfold /ˈoʊkənfoʊld/ (born 30 August 1963) is an English record producer and trance DJ. He was voted the No1 DJ in the World twice in 1998 and 1999 by DJ Magazine.

History

Early career: 1980–84

Paul Oakenfold describes his early life as a "bedroom DJ" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew up listening to The Beatles. Later 21-year-old Oakenfold and Ian Paul moved to 254 West 54th Street. Studio 54's Steve Rubell ran the place and only allowed popular people inside. Oakenfold and Paul used fake passes to sneak into places in New York where they met Maze, Bobby Womack and Bob Marley, whom they also interviewed, claiming to be NME and Melody Maker journalists.

Oakenfold's musical career began in the late 1970s, when he started playing soul in a Covent Garden wine bar. Here, he met Trevor Fung as well as Rumours in London where he played Earth, Wind and Fire and popular British bands. In 1984, he spent several months in New York City's West Harlem. During this time hip-hop was the most popular sound in the area (see 1984 in music). He began breaking into the mainstream as he was working as an A&R man for Champion Records. At that time, he signed DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, as well as Salt-n-Pepa. Oakenfold appeared on the Blue Peter BBC programme for children with a breakdancing crew. He became a promoter and British agent for the Beastie Boys and Run-D.M.C.. Since then, he appeared at The Project in Streatham playing soul and jazz music.