Sound Check: INXS, Tyrese
March 9 -- IN MODERATION: The hits and rarities of Aussie '80s act INXS will both find a place on Rhino's Shine Like It Does (1979-1997): The INXS Anthology, due June 5. The 42-song collection will include the most popular songs from each of the band's albums, as well as first single "Simple Simon"; its B-side, "We Are the Vegetables"; and other rarities.
BRIGHT BULB: R&B singer Tyrese has completed work on his sophomore album, 2000 Watts, which features the single "I Like Them Girls." Part of the profits from the album, which is due May 22, will go to the 2000 Watts Foundation, an organization the singer founded as a charity in his hometown of Watts, Calif.
ILL BILLY BEATS: Medeski Martin & Wood drummer Billy Martin worked with hip-hop producer Scotty Hard to create a limited-edition vinyl recording of breakbeats and percussion samples. Martin wants the album, Grooved, Bang, and Jive Around (April 3), to be the first in the Illy B Eats series, which DJs can draw from and then submit songs for use in a compilation.
WHIP IT, WHIPEOUT: The original members of Devo reunited, dubbing themselves The Wipeouters, to record P'Twanng!, an album of new wave surf rock. The collection, featuring such songs as "Wedgie Wipeout" and "Nubie Boardsmen," is due April 24 on Casual Tonalities.
JAGGED DESTINY: LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson, the two singers booted from Destiny's Child, have formed a new band called Angel. Though they are looking for a contract, and a third member, the duo has worked on demos with two members of Jagged Edge. Jagged Edge, meanwhile, has completed work on a third album, which it is calling Jagged Little Thrill. The disc, with guest appearances from Nelly and Ludacris, is tentatively due in June.
INTRODUCING … Classic-styled R&B singer Syleena Johnson, whose song "I Am Your Woman" hits radio March 12, will see her debut album, Chapter 1: Love, Pain, & Forgiveness, arrive on store shelves beginning April 17.
MOD CONS: British mod punk act The Jam will have its singles released in a two-part box set from Universal/Polydor, according to British magazine NME. Each box will contain nine CD singles, beginning with 1977's "In the City" and continuing to 1982's "Beat Surrender." The first set will be out April 2 in Britain, and the second is due April 30.
