January 23, 2004

Particle will deliver their trademark high-energy funktronic sounds to the masses with their debut studio album, “LAUNCHPAD.” The release features a diverse selection of tracks from the Los Angeles based band’s extensive live repertoire. It showcases the unique, dynamic sound that has propelled Particle into the national spotlight. Produced by Tom Rothrock (Beck, Coldplay, Foo Fighters), “Launchpad” will be released nationally March 23, 2004 on the Or Music label (Los Lonely Boys).
Though “Launchpad” is Particle’s first studio effort, the band is nostranger to the road. Since forming in 2000, the group has touredrelentlessly, both nationally and internationally, performing almost500 shows since their inception. Particle’s upcoming three-month tourwill see them headlining large clubs and theatres in major marketsincluding Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta,Denver, and Chicago. Bass master Rob Wasserman will open the winterportion of the tour from February 2nd through the 23rd (complete listof dates follow below).

Musical troubadours Widespread Panic announce the release of Night Of Joy on March 23, 2004 (Widespread Records/Sanctuary Records). Known for their legendary live performances, Night Of Joy is compiled from two of their most recent concerts, taped at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC on November 6 and 7, 2003. The live CD is both a follow up and companion to Another Joyous Occasion released in 2000, both CD’s feature Widespread Panic performing with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on horns and rhythm.

Hip-hop act the Roots has formed a label, Okayplayer Records, in partnership with Decon, a multimedia design/entertainment company, Billboard.biz reports. The label derives its name from the Grammy-nominated group’s popular Web site, Okayplayer.com. The Roots previously operated the Motive imprint through MCA.
Roots drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson will executive-produce the label’s inaugural release, a compilation featuring the Roots, Skillz, Jean Grae, Madlib, Aceyalone, Little Brother and Dilated Peoples. The album will also include two unsigned acts; Okayplayer Records is accepting submissions until Feb. 13, with details available through the Web site. The album is slated for release this summer.
“There is an array of untapped talent out there, especially from the people who are members of the Okayplayer.com community,” Thompson says in a statement. “The Roots have always been a magnet for talented artists. This deal is important to us because we can now provide a vehicle for bringing deserving artists to the forefront.”
As previously reported, the group is currently recording a new album, “The Tipping Point,” for release on Geffen. It’s the follow-up to 2002’s “Phrenology,” which is nominated for the best rap album Grammy.
Source billboard.com.

Experience Hendrix, the holding company that oversees the Jimi Hendrix estate, is launching a pilot tour of three concerts celebrating the Hendrix legacy, Billboard.biz reports. The dates are Feb. 22 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle; Feb. 24 at Roseland Theatre in Portland, Ore.; and Feb. 26 at the Warfield in San Francisco.
Participating artists will include Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Living Colour, Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell, Kid Rock, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf), Sheldon Reynolds (Earth, Wind & Fire), Indigenous and Joe Satriani. All will be backed by former Hendrix bandmates Mitch Mitchell on drums and Billy Cox on bass, with Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers on vocals.
As previously reported, Experience Hendrix has corralled a host of top acts for “Power of Soul,” a Hendrix tribute album due May 4 from Image Entertainment. The set will feature newly recorded covers by Sting, Prince, Eric Clapton and Musiq, among others.
Source billboard.com.

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