Elvis Costello has traded The Imposters for The Roots, teaming up with the venerable hip-hop act and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” house band to record a brand- new full-length album called Wise Up Ghost that will be released by Blue Note Records this September.
The album, which Roots bandleader Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson first mentioned earlier this year in an interview, is due out Sept. 17. It was produced by Roots associate Steven Mandel along with Costello and ?uestlove, and features members of The Roots and a guest vocal appearance on “Cinco Minutos Con Vos” from La Marisoul, lead singer of La Santa Cecilia.
According to a news release announcing the record, Costello describes it as as “the shortest distance between here and there” and containing “both rhythm and what is read,” while ?uestlove adds, “It’s a moody, brooding affair, cathartic rhythms and dissonant lullabies. I went stark and dark on the music, Elvis went HAM on some ole Ezra Pound shit.”
No further details have been announced.
I foolishly have high hopes for this release.
Ok, I’m not one of those people who require all my music to be sunny and filled with love, but come on, a moody, brooding affair? Mr. Costello already tends that way, thank god his music usually masks it. His playing, along with bandmates The Attractions and The Imposters were the sugar that made swallowing Costello’s lyrics the musical joy they have been for decades now. I think I’ll do a judicious bit of sampling before I decide to buy.
“cathartic rhythms and dissonant lullabies”
Have you heard of the blues, sir? Plus–you haven’t purchased music in tears, Nick. Don’t insult us–we know.
Gabby,
Was that tears or years?
I would never insult you.
Ha! Years–just joking, Nick. Plus, I haven’t purchased music in a long time, so I’m the one who should be crying guilty tears. Knowing those two–Elvis & ?uestlove..I think they were having a bit of fun.