LONDON:

Robbie Williams will refuse to make another album for his record label EMI, according to a report. The singer is still under contract with EMI, but is unhappy after the label was taken over by private equity firm Terra Firma, his manager has told The Times. Tim Clark told the paper Williams would not deliver a new album because he had no idea how the label would handle it.

Radiohead and Sir Paul McCartney have already left EMI, with reports that Coldplay and Kylie Minogue may follow. EMI’s UK chief executive — who signed many of the label’s current stars — also left the company on January 8 after 25 years.

Clark told The Times, “The question is, should Robbie deliver the new album he is due to release to EMI? We have to say the answer is no. We have no idea how EMI will market and promote the album. They do not have anyone in the digital sphere capable of doing the job required. All we know is they are going to decimate their staff.”

He accused Terra Firma boss Guy Hands of acting like a “plantation owner” who had stumbled into the music industry via a “vanity purchase”.

“EMI can sue or pay up his contract,” Clark said. “Robbie needs to know what services EMI can provide to an artist of his standing.”

A spokeswoman for Williams told the BBC News website, “They’re Tim’s words given in an interview to The Times and no further comment is being made.” EMI did not return a request for a comment. —Agencies