New York-based hip-hop label Definitive Jux has acquired the masters of Company Flow's 1997 album "Funcrusher Plus," originally released on Rawkus. With its minimalist atmosopherics and left-wing politics, the group -- founded by producer El-P, Bigg Jus and DJ Mr. Len -- is considered one of the more defining acts for underground hip-hop.
Def Jux is in the process of readying a 10th anniversary reissue of "Funcrusher," complete with a bonus DVD of Company Flow's final show. If all goes as planned, the album should be out by the end of 2006, but Def Jux COO Ameachi Uziogwe tells Billboard.com the act may record some new material for the release, making early 2007 may a more likely target date.
U.K. act UB40's latest album, "Who You Fighting For?," which arrived internationally this summer, will be released Jan. 24 in North America via Rhino. The set generated the top 40 U.K. pop singles hits "Reasons" and "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and also includes covers of the Jamaicans' "The Things You Say You Love," Matumbi's "After Tonight" and the Lennon/McCartney rarity "I'll Be on My Way."
UB40 will be on the road for the rest of 2005, with shows due to begin Nov. 23 in Belfast and wrap Dec. 22 in Birmingham, England. A three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand will get underway Feb. 4 in Perth.
Scottish rock outfit Mogwai will unveil a new studio album, "Mr. Beast," March 6 via Matador. It's the follow-up to 2003's "Happy Songs for Happy People," which debuted at No. 9 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and No. 13 on the Top Independent Albums tally.
The band has sporadic shows on its schedule for the next few months, including Nov. 28-29 benefits in Edinburgh and Glasgow, respectively. Mogwai will also overtake London's ICA for a Jan. 10-14 run, with each night featuring as-yet-unannounced opening acts, DJs and films selected by the band.
Def Jux is in the process of readying a 10th anniversary reissue of "Funcrusher," complete with a bonus DVD of Company Flow's final show. If all goes as planned, the album should be out by the end of 2006, but Def Jux COO Ameachi Uziogwe tells Billboard.com the act may record some new material for the release, making early 2007 may a more likely target date.
-- Todd Martens, L.A.
U.K. act UB40's latest album, "Who You Fighting For?," which arrived internationally this summer, will be released Jan. 24 in North America via Rhino. The set generated the top 40 U.K. pop singles hits "Reasons" and "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and also includes covers of the Jamaicans' "The Things You Say You Love," Matumbi's "After Tonight" and the Lennon/McCartney rarity "I'll Be on My Way."
UB40 will be on the road for the rest of 2005, with shows due to begin Nov. 23 in Belfast and wrap Dec. 22 in Birmingham, England. A three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand will get underway Feb. 4 in Perth.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Scottish rock outfit Mogwai will unveil a new studio album, "Mr. Beast," March 6 via Matador. It's the follow-up to 2003's "Happy Songs for Happy People," which debuted at No. 9 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and No. 13 on the Top Independent Albums tally.
The band has sporadic shows on its schedule for the next few months, including Nov. 28-29 benefits in Edinburgh and Glasgow, respectively. Mogwai will also overtake London's ICA for a Jan. 10-14 run, with each night featuring as-yet-unannounced opening acts, DJs and films selected by the band.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
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