Weekly music agenda: CD releases by Gorillaz, Jimi Hendrix

(All Rights Reserved)

The third studio album by Gorillaz, Plastic Beach, is due out March 8. Tracks "Stylo" and "Superfast Jellyfish," plus a "Stylo" video featuring Bruce Willis and the Gorillaz cartoon band have generated significant hype for the album. Also set for release is Valleys of Neptune, a collection of previously unheard tracks by Jimi Hendrix.

'Plastic Beach' by Gorillaz
March 8/9
International/USA

The Gorillaz, British musician David Albarn's collaboration with a revolving roster of musicians, will release a third studio album, Plastic Beach, on March 8. The album's first single, "Stylo," is a collaboration with Bobby Womack and Mos Def that MTV News staffers are calling a potentially "trend-setting track for 2010." The band's most recent studio album, the Grammy-winning Demon Days, went five times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the US.
http://www.gorillaz.com

Hendrix's 'Valleys of Neptune'
March 8/9
International/USA

This album of previously unreleased material by Jimi Hendrix is one of many 2010 releases planned as part of the Jimi Hendrix Catalog Project, marking the 40th anniversary of the artist's death. Coming mostly from a four-month period in 1969, Valleys of Neptune is a 12-song collection that includes the final studio sessions of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience and Hendrix's first sessions with bassist Billy Cox. The title track was released as a single on February 2.
http://www.jimi-hendrix.com


Weezer "Love is the Answer" remix contest
Through March 9
Worldwide

Weezer's latest album, Raditude, features the band's song "Love is the Answer" in a version the musicians reworked with their friends Ananda and Amrita Zen. Inspired by the collaboration, the band is inviting fans to submit their own version of the track and compete for the chance to create a song with lead singer Rivers Cuomo. Weezer will release some hand-picked submissions on an official compilation, paying acts royalties for their participation. Submissions are due by March 9 at 5:00pm EST.
http://www.indabamusic.com/featured_programs/show/remixweezer

Michael Bublé's 'Crazy Love' tour
March 10-July 18
North America/Europe

Michael Bublé's international tour begins with a round of US shows from March 10 through April 9. The Canadian singer then heads to Europe for an 18-date run through May and June, including eight concerts in the UK and shows in Paris, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. A second round of North American dates picks up in June. Crazy Love was released in October 2009 and has reached number one on charts in the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy, Holland, Ireland, and South Africa.
http://www.michaelbuble.com

South by Southwest Music Conference
March 17-21
Austin, Texas, USA

The annual South by Southwest Music and Media Conference & Festival attracts nearly 12,000 attendees, and the city of Austin swells with music lovers who travel to hear the nearly 2,000 top-notch bands who play on 80 stages around the city. SXSW has so far announced more than 50 of the acts scheduled to perform during the 2010 conference week, scheduled for March 17-21. For conference-goers, music badges are $750; a platinum badge, which grants access to SXSW music, film, and interactive conferences from March 12-21, is $1,225.
http://www.sxsw.com

Paul McCartney 'Up and Coming' Tour begins
March 28
United States/Europe

Paul McCartney is set to tour the US, beginning March 28 with two concerts in Arizona, continuing with two dates at the Hollywood Bowl, then performing one date each in Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico, before heading to Europe. Many more dates are still to be announced for what is expected to be an extensive tour. McCartney will perform Beatles and Wings songs as well as music from the artist's solo career. Tickets for most announced shows are now on sale.
http://www.paulmccartney.com

Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" tour coming to CD/DVD
March 29/April 6
International/US

Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" tour, which ran from August 2008 to September 2009, was the most successful tour ever by a solo artist and the second-highest-grossing trek of all time, according to tour producer Live Nation. On March 30, a concert film of Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" performances in Buenos Aires will be released internationally by Warner Bros. on DVD, Blu-Ray, and CD. The DVD will include 30 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage taken throughout the course of the 13-month tour.

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim: 'Here Lies Love'
April 5/6
International/US

An unusual collaboration from the minds of Talking Heads' David Byrne and DJ/producer Fatboy Slim, this song cycle about Imelda Marcos on two CDs and a DVD features a range of guest singers including Cyndi Lauper, Natalie Merchant, and Tori Amos. The album was originally scheduled for a late February release before being postponed to early April.