2006

Interpol has been working for the past six months on material it hopes will appear on its third album, according to a post on the band’s infrequently updated Web site. “We did break up — four times — but that’s all behind us now,” the message reads.

As for new songs, the band says, “We’ve got one gem in the works entitled ‘The Heinrich Maneuver.’ And another that was called ‘Pawn Shop.’ But that’s called something else now. Having yet to record, we can only say that [the new album] will come sometime next year.”

While the music may be taking shape, Interpol’s contract status is murky. Its 2004 album, “Antics,” was its last under contract with Matador, and sources say no decision has yet been made on whether a label change is in the cards.

In related news, Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino recently guested on sessions with California band Oslo while the latter was recording in New York.

Source billboard.com.

On September 26, Indirecto Records releases “Out Louder”, the improvisation-fueled date from John Medeski, John Scofield, Billy Martin, & Chris Wood. It is the inaugural release for Medeski Martin & Wood’s Indirecto label. “Out Louder” is jam-packed with irresistible grooves and spontaneous improvisation, music made not above nor below, but rather in some altogether hipper place.

Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood first recorded together on Scofield’s “A Go Go” (Verve 1998), a disc that has become a must-have classic. That project united jazz guitarist Scofield with the eclectic improvisational jazz trio Medeski Martin & Wood on material composed by Scofield and interpreted by all four musicians.

“Out Louder”, however, is a genuine four-way collaboration between Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood. “‘A Go Go'” was John’s record and we were essentially sidemen, where “Out Louder” musically comes from all of us” explains Wood.

Scofield adds that much of the material was composed when the foursome “would play free stuff, listen back, make a song out of it, and then go back with that idea in mind and play free again.”

Recorded in under a week at Shacklyn, MMW’s fabled downtown Brooklyn studio, “Out Louder” reeks of the scruffy, spirited basement in which it was created. There’s the undeniably funky “Little Walter Rides Again,” the free jazz excursions of “Miles Behind,” and the improvisation-rich take on Peter Tosh’s reggae anthem “Legalize It.” This is music not of this world, yet rooted in the earth tones of jazz, funk, and blues. Music from the heart, for the mind, and made to shake the earth, not to mention the body.

And there is more to come, as Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood embark on their first-ever tour (dates to come), showcasing their collaborative, instinctive sound. Look for them to perform music from “Out Louder” and “A Go Go, with several yet-to-be-released tunes poised to be thrown into the mix.

Syd Barrett, who founded Pink Floyd but later lived as a recluse, has died at the age of 60, according to a spokeswoman for the band.

A spokeswoman for Pink Floyd told the Press Association: “He died very peacefully a couple of days ago. There will be a private family funeral.”

The singer and guitarist, born Roger Keith Barrett, wrote many of the early hits for the avant-garde rock band, including the 1967 album “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” and the band’s first hit singles, “Arnold Layne” and “See Emily Play.”

His behavior became erratic, though, and he left the band in 1968. He was replaced by David Gilmour, who had joined the band as its fifth member earlier that year.

Barrett also put out two noted solo albums, “The Madcap Laughs” and “Barrett,” both in 1970.

In 1975, during the recording of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” album, Barrett showed up unannounced at the studio — ironically, during the recording of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a song about him. He had become overweight and shaved his eyebrows; the other members didn’t recognize him at first.

Much of British psychedelic music was influenced by Barrett, and a number of musicians have credited him, according to Allmusic.com.

Barrett had since lived in anonymity in the eastern English city of Cambridge.

The spokeswoman said a low-key, private funeral would be held. She did not disclose the cause of death.

Source CNN.com.

With the announcement of this year

On August 31, 2006, ISWHAT?! will release ‘The Life We Chose,’ featuring 14 brand new tracks bursting at the seams with pith and vinegar. The album signals a major evolution for ISWHAT?!, which is assisted in no small part by its guest artists who bring a broad spectrum of sonic colors and styles to the table. However, in the end it’s the giant steps made by Napoleon Maddox and Jack Walker at their respective crafts that makes their long-awaited follow up so extraordinary.

‘The Life We Chose’ is a fierce, modern hip-hop statement. And concurrently, it’s a progressive, forward-looking jazz record. Created by a one-of-a-kind pairing of artists who are not at all inclined to allow the inimitability of such a combination carry the day, they deliver music of purpose, conviction and inspiration. In the words of one of Napoleon Maddox’s heroes Chuck D., it’s a collection of songs meant to “Fight the Power.” In the spirit of one of Jack Walker’s heroes Rahsaan Roland Kirk, it’s music created as a “Theme For The Eulipions.”

Van Morrison will take a break from his current European schedule to play several upcoming shows in the US as the legendary singer continues to support his most recent disc, the country-heavy “Pay the Devil.”

Morrison will kick off his short round of US dates Aug. 5 in Philadelphia, following that up with three additional eastern dates. After another round of overseas touring, Morrison will return in September for three more shows on the West Coast, beginning with a Sept. 12 appearance in Berkeley, CA.

The September dates will include Morrison’s slot at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, TX.

Morrison’s complete European itinerary can be found at his website.

“Pay the Devil” includes 12 covers of country classics, among them Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “Things Have Gone to Pieces,” originally performed by George Jones. The set–the follow-up to 2005’s “Magic Time”–also features three original compositions.

The 58-year-old singer has also released a live DVD containing five songs from the new album shot during his performance earlier this year at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The DVD will be packaged with new pressings of “Pay the Devil.” A preview video from the disc is available for viewing at Morrison’s website.

Morrison became a solo star in the late ’60s and early ’70s; his best-known albums include “Astral Weeks,” “Moondance” and “Tupelo Honey.”

A native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Morrison was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

August 2006
5 – Philadelphia, PA – Wachovia Spectrum
6 – Washington, DC – Patriot Center
7 – Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach
8 – Toronto, Ontario – Air Canada Centre

September 2006
12 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
13 – Phoenix, AZ – Cricket Pavilion
15 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Festival

My Morning Jacket recently trekked to Woodstock, N.Y., to record a cover of the Band’s “It Makes No Difference” for a star-studded Band tribute album, due Jan. 9 via Savoy Jazz. The catch: the song was put to tape at the studio of the Band’s drummer, Levon Helm, bringing MMJ’s members face to face with one of their musical idols.

As for My Morning Jacket, the band has just been added to the lineup for next month’s Lollapalooza festival in Chicago and will re-team with Pearl Jam as an opening act for 11 September dates on the latter’s first European tour since 2000.

As previously reported, an MMJ live album and DVD, “Okonokos,” will be separately released in the fall. The double-disc CD is due Sept. 26, while the DVD will arrive Oct. 31 and will also be screened at select U.S. movie theaters. Eschewing the straight-up “film the show” approach, the latter follows a storyline that transports fans to an MMJ show in the middle of a forest.

Source billboard.com.