Billboard Bits: Sinead O’Connor, dB’s, ATHfest

Musical pairings from throughout Irish vocalist Sinead O’Connor’s career have been compiled for “Collaborations,” due June 21 via Capitol/EMI. The 17-track collection is highlighted by tracks with Peter Gabriel (“Blood of Eden”), U2’s Bono (“I’m Not Your Baby”) and the Edge (“Heroine,” from his unheralded 1986 soundtrack “Captive”) and Massive Attack (“Special Cases”).

“Collaborations” is rounded out by pairings with the The (“Kingdom of Rain”), the Specials’ Terry Hall (“All Kings of Everything”), Moby (“Harbour”), Asian Dub Foundation (“1000 Mirrors”) and Jah Wobble (“Visions of You”).

In the spring of 2003, O’Connor announced she was retiring from the music business. But in an interview last month Ireland’s Hot Press, she revealed she had signed a new record deal with Sanctuary and is working on three distinct new albums.

— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

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It’s been more than two decades since the dB’s have released new music as a unit, but the band’s original quartet lineup reunited in January to record several new tracks that may become the basis of a new album. Along with seven new songs written by singers/guitarists/keyboardists Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, the group — rounded out by drummer Will Rigby and bassist Gene Hodler — tracked a version of the Motown classic “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”

Although still in search of a label home and a co-producer, the band has tentative plans for further recording sessions and hopes to release a full album in early 2006. A new disc would be the first under the dB’s name since the 1994 Monkey Hill album “Paris Avenue,” which featured only Holsapple and Rigby.

— Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

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Reunited Athens, Ga.-based rock act Pylon and singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins will headline this year’s ATHfest, set for June 23-26 in downtown Athens. In addition to a free outdoor main stage located near the city’s famed 40 Watt Club, the event will also host artists at various clubs, for $10 per night or $15 for the full event.

Further developing the event’s focus on local music, ATHfest and Ghostmeat Records will release a CD compilation with 20 acts, many of which will perform during the festival. Among those on the disc will be the Chasers, Jet By Day, Erik Hinds, Ken Will Morton, the Packway Handle Brand, An Epic At Best, Love Tractor, Polemic and Workhorses Of The Entertainment & Recreational Industry.

As acts are confirmed, the full performance lineup as well as other festival information will be posted on the ATHfest Web site.

— Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.