Dr. John has signed with the Savoy Label Group’s 429 Records and will be releasing his next effort through the imprint in May. Tentatively titled “The City That Care Forgot,” the album explores the singer/songwriter’s native New Orleans in the post-Hurricane Katrina era.
The album boasts the guest talents of other Louisiana musicians like Terence Blanchard, Terence Simian and up-and-coming jazz player Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. Dr. John, who produced the set himself, also tapped other songwriters like Bobby Charles, David Lee Carson (aka Reverend Goat) and Mina Bellavia to co-pen some tunes.
Dr. John, born Mac Rebennack, Jr., released 2006’s “Mercenary” through Blue Note; it peaked at No. 5 on the Top Jazz Albums tally.
— Katie Hasty, N.Y.
Kanye West has partnered with Prodege LLC to launch his own search engine.
SearchWithKanyeWest.com, which went online yesterday (Feb. 4), is powered by Google and Ask and allows visitors to accrue “Swag Bucks” that can “buy”
West merchandise and other prizes. TSwag Bucks can be exchanged for autographed CDs, clothing and other West merchandise. Available for download at the site is a customizable Kanye West toolbar built for Internet Explorer.
Prodege has previously partnered with The Used, Beyonce, Akon, Willie Nelson, Staind, and others.
Elsewhere online, West previewed his upcoming book “Kanye West presents Thank You And You’re Welcome” by posting three pages of it in his blog at http://Kanyeuniversecity.com/blog. The self-published book of “Kanye-isms,” co-written with J. Sakiya Sandifer, will be available for $10 via his site.
— Hillary Crosley, N.Y.