By John M. James

Tuesday brings the return of Alex Chilton, former lead singer of the Box Tops (remember their hit, "The Letter"?) and his new album, simply titled Set, with an interesting twist. The Bar None Records release marks the first new recordings in five years, with the 12-track set featuring an array of covers, recorded in a one-evening stretch exactly one year ago on Tuesday. ... The hot buzz from the UK is the anticipation of new material from Richard Ashcroft, former singer and songwriter for Britain's The Verve, stepping out as a solo performer with a CD single due in early April. The Hut Records release is said to be for "A Song for the Lovers," with B-sides "(Could Be) A Country Thing, City Thing, Blues Thing" and "Precious Stone," and is co-produced by Chris Potter, who helmed much of Urban Hymns. ... Throw yer "horns" in the air like ya just don't care. Goldmine magazine, the music collectibles bible, has announced the release of their Heavy Metal record price guide. The 368-page book tips the hat to the growing worldwide fever for hard-to-find vinyl recordings from all over the planet, and an accompanying 18-track CD sampler. ... The Secretly Canadian label is compiling a various artist collection for later this spring that features no instruments at all. Yup, just the mouth that the Creator gave you. Some of the artists involved on The Unaccompanied Voice: An A Cappella Compilation include Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker of Low, David Grubbs, Songs: Ohia, Damien Jurado, Elliott Sharp, Richard Buckner, Mark Kozeleck of the Red House Painters, Swearing at Motorists and more. ... Is it just me or, in light of all the rumor and controversy about Britney Spears' teen breast enlargement, is it strange that her summer tour is sponsored by the "Got Milk?" campaign?

Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts the band A3 (best known for their theme to The Sopranos) on Friday. Late Night with Conan O'Brien welcomes Beck on Thursday and Rage Against the Machine on Tuesday. The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn gets silly with Little Richard on Thursday. And Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Fiona Apple.

Releases Coming Tuesday
And like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change... Big Muff - Aurally Exciting Remixes (Razor & Tie) collection of tracks from the alter ego of Itaal Shur, who recently co-wrote the smash "Smooth" for Santana and Rob Thomas; Broadways - Broken Van (Asian Man); The Byrds - Live at the Fillmore February 1969 (Columbia Legacy) never-before-issued gem from the halcyon days of the San Francisco ballroom scene; Neko Case & Her Boyfriends - Furnace Room Lullaby (Bloodshot) with Brian Connelly of Shadowy Men On a Shadowy Planet and Ron Sexsmith; Friends of Dean Martinez - A Place in the Sun (Knitting Factory); Michael Hutchence - Michael Hutchence (V2) solo release from the late INXS singer with Bono, Joe Strummer and Bernard Fowler; Jeru the Damaja's Supahuman Klick - Heroz4hire (Knowsavage); Kid Koala - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Ninja Tune); The Next Best Thing - original motion picture soundtrack (Maverick); William Orbit - Pieces in a Modern Style (Maverick) electronic arrangements of classical pieces by Handel, Beethoven and Vivaldi; Poster Children - DDD (Spin Art); Peter Searcy - Could You Please and Thank You (Time Bomb); Yo La Tengo - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out (Matador) their tenth album.

E-mail John M. James

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