Electronica duo Boards Of Canada has completed work on its next studio album. The as-yet-untitled set will be released in October via Music70/Warp. It's the follow-up to 2002's "Geogaddi," which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard's Top Electronic Albums chart and No. 19 on the Heatseekers tally.The group has kept a relatively low profile since, emerging last year with a remix of Beck's "Broken Drum" that was included on a limited-edition pressing of his Interscope album "Guero."
In related news, Warp labelmate Autechre will play a rare live show Sept. 17 as part of the Russell Haswell-curated "Easy to Swallow" club night at London's Koko club.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
R&B artist Toni Braxton will headline the Crest Whitestrips Presents: Music of Love -- A White Hot Benefit for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. The third annual intimate event will be held July 29 at the East Hampton, N.Y., home of Morris L. Reid, managing director of strategic communications/marketing firm Westin Rinehart and a member of the Save the Music Foundation Board. "Music and the arts are often the first programs eliminated when public school education budget cuts are made," says Reid. "VH1 Save The Music ensures that music stays in the schools, improving the lives of our students, and helping them look forward to a successful future."
Organizers hope to raise $100,000 through ticket sales, a live auction and donations. Tickets are $250 and are available through Jennifer Dunn at VH1 (212-846-7882 or Jennifer.Dunn@vh1staff.com).
-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.
Folk artist and children's music mainstay Tom Chapin is readying "Some Assembly Required," his first album for Razor & Tie Entertainment, for a Sept. 27 release through the label. Produced by Chapin with longtime collaborators John Forster, Michael Mark and Jon Cobert, the 15-track disc includes guest appearances by Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan), Cherish The Ladies' Joanie Madden and former Del Fuegos frontman and fellow family entertainer Dan Zanes. Chapin joins a growing kids-oriented roster at R&T, which already includes children's artist Laurie Berkner. The label is also behind the "Kidz Bop" series, which has spawned seven volumes that have sold 4.7 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.
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