Digging through the digital racks

Who would of thought a record company would have finally seen the possibilities of the long tail?

After letting Apple single handedly create the digital music market, one of the the ancient empire's biggest names has hit back.

But rather than trying to knock off the iTunes Store, they've gone for the potential of the niche.

Which is a pretty smart and, let's face it, completely unexpected move by a music major.

Universal has just launched Lost Tunes. A digital music store where fans can uncover and download dusty gems and overlooked old tunes.

It's the online equivalent of digging through the racks at a second hand vinyl emporium.

An idea so good, I think, you have to wonder why no one has done it before.

I do hope this venture succeeds. There's certainly a market for it.

Although given most serious music fans already track down old vinyl and other rarities via blogs and Rapidshare, I can't help wondering if it may well be too late to get these people to break their habits.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see.