When In Rome… with Danger Mouse, Daniele Luppi, Jack White and Norah Jones

Rome is the latest project from producer Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) and frequent collaborator Daniele Luppi. Burton and Luppi traveled to Rome’s Forum Studios—founded in part by the great film score composer Ennio Morricone—and recorded the music straight to tape. For of all its cinematic qualities, what follows is not the soundtrack to an imaginary movie or a homage to the great Italian film composers but a complex nuanced pop record with intensity and darkness featuring help from Jack White and Norah Jones. Alan Light talks with the four musicians about how they brought Rome to life.

Primus: Still Sucking After All These Years

The influential alternative rock trio Primus formed in Northern California in the late ‘80s, releasing its first album, Suck on This, in 1989. Led by charismatic bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde, the ever-evolving trio delivered such classic albums as Sailing the Seas of Cheese and Pork Soda. Jaan Uhelszki sits down with the group to discuss its new studio album, the return of drummer Jay Lane and the band’s turbulent history.

Robbie Robertson: Seeing around Corners

How To Become Clairvoyant is Robbie Robertson’s fifth solo album and his first record in more than 10 years. Eric Clapton (who co-wrote three tracks), Steve Winwood and Robert Randolph guest with Tom Morello and Trent Reznor, among others. While previous records have explored Robertson’s Native American ancestry, the latest delves into his rock experiences including the song “This Is Where I Got off,” which details his split from The Band.

Bill Laswell: The Bassist with a Thousand Faces

Bassist Bill Laswell has worked on more than 3,000 projects since the late 1970s. A missing link between hard-core dub, rock and the avant-garde, Laswell’s credits include work with everyone from Lee “Scratch” Perry to Iggy Pop to Bernie Worrell. Since 1992, he’s churned out an eclectic series of albums rooted in aggressive improv with slabs of hip-hop, psychedelic and funk as a member of Praxis. Relix takes peak at the group’s newest album Profanation: Preparation for a Coming Darkness and helps sort through the madness.

Plus: Brett Dennen, Widespread Panic’s 25th Anniversary, The Feelies, Over the Rhine, Jane’s Addiction, The Sway Machinery, Stockholm Syndrome and much, much more.

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