After 5-Year Break, Clint Black Releases

（单词翻译）

Mary Morningstar

Country star Clint Black launched his recording¹ career in 1989 with RCA Records. During his 12 years with the label, Clint charted 27 Top 5 singles, including 13 Number Ones. He enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the label. For his latest collection, however, Black made the decision to take more control of the business side of his career.

After a five-year break from recording, Clint Black is back with Spend My Time, a new album that reflects on the changes in his life during his time away. The singer took two years off from recording following the birth of his daughter. When he returned, Clint was still under contract to record one more album for RCA. But, both sides came to the amicable² decision that it was time for him to move on. Although many offers poured in from other major record companies, Clint had another idea. Last year, he and long-time Sony Music Group executive³ Mike Kraski formed Equity⁴ Records. The company allows its artists to own their master recordings⁵, and offers them profit sharing.
Clint's new album, Spend My Time, is Equity's first release. The CD includes 12 tracks, all written or co-written by Black, that blend his traditional Country style with elements of jazz, blues⁶ and funk.
Clint grew up in Houston, Texas, but moved to Los Angeles following his 1991 marriage to actress Lisa Hartman. While he was living in California, Clint also became interested in acting⁷ and directing. Three years ago, the couple relocated to Nashville, where he built a house, complete with his own recording studio. "This feels a lot more like home than a big city like Los Angeles," he says.
As for Clint's future plans - he says he'll direct the videos for his new album, perform some tour dates and possibly accept more acting roles.
Spend My Time recently debuted⁸ at Number 3 on Billboard⁹'s Country Albums chart, marking his highest entry on that list since his 1993 effort, No Time To Kill.

注释：
Country star 是Country Music star的简称，美国乡村音乐明星
launch [lB:ntF] vt. 开始，发起
RCA Records美国老牌唱片公司（是世界上最优秀的古典唱片名厂之一）
label [5leibl] n. 签条，这里指同唱片公司的一纸合约
chart [tFB:t] vt. 制作
single [5siN^l] n. 一个，这里指打榜用的单曲
collection [kE5lekFEn] n. 收藏，这里指专辑
take…off 离开
contract [5kCntrAkt] n. 合同
amicable [5AmikEbl] adj. 友善的，和平的
move on 继续前进
pour [pC:, pCE] v. 灌注，参与进来
co-written 合作编写
blend [blend] vt. 混和
funk [fQNk] n. 俗称放克，节拍比Hip-hop快些，节奏完全都是鼓声及Bass
Houston [5hju:stEn] n. 休斯顿
Texas [5teksEs] n.德克萨斯州（美国一州）
relocate [5ri:lEu5keit] v. 重新回到
Nashville [5nAFvIl] 纳什维尔
acting [5AktiN] adj. 代理的
billboard [5bilbC:d] n. （户外）布告板，这里特指美国著名的"公告牌排行榜"