MERCK'S SHUR THING

The catalog of Itaal Shur, which includes the phenomenally successful song he co-wrote for Carlos Santana, “Smooth,” has been acquired by Hipgnosis Songs Fund Ltd.

The company has acquired a 100% interest in the 209-song catalog, including the BMI share.

Merck Mercuriadis, Founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund and its investment adviser, The Family (Music) Ltd. said: “It’s always a good day when you are buying arguably the second most successful song of all time, particularly a song as enduring and iconic as ‘Smooth.’ As Santana prepare to go out on the ‘Supernatural Now’ 20th Anniversary Tour, this is the perfect time to get involved.”

Besides “Smooth,” Shur co-wrote "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" with Maxwell and has written for his band Groove Collective and solo projects under the name Big Muff. He has one album under his real name, 2001’s Milk & Honey: 10 Hits to Bliss.

“When I was considering selling my life’s work, who bought it and what they could do with it was as important to me as anything else,” Shur said. “From the first time that I spoke to Merck, I knew that Hipgnosis was fresh and different and that I had found the right home for my catalog.”