October 22, 2005

The Derek Trucks Band has set a Feb. 7 release date for its next studio album, “Songlines.” The Columbia album is the group’s first studio set with singer Mike Mattison, who was already in the group when it recorded last year’s concert album, “Live at the Georgia Theatre.”

A selection of new originals (including “I’ll Find My Way,” “Revolution” and the instrumental “Mahjoun”) are augmented by covers that include Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s “Volunteered Slavery,” Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn’s “Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni” and Toots Hibbert’s “Sailing On,” as well as the traditional “Crow Jane.”

The group has European dates on its schedule through a Nov. 8 show in Hamburg. A U.S. tour opens Nov. 11 in Glenside, Pa., and will run through late January.

Source billboard.com.

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has been recording in Seattle with R.E.M. touring drummer Bill Rieflin and King Crimson leader Robert Fripp for a potential album, according to R.E.M.’s Web site.

The group, which also features multi-instrumentalist Hector Zazou, bassist Fred Chalenor and drummer Matt Chamberlain, tested out the material earlier in the week during a show at Seattle’s Crocodile Cafe.

Buck will also rejoin his on-again, off-again side band the Minus 5 for a five-date tour of Spain beginning Nov. 15 in Valencia.

Source billboard.com.