Yesterday, Jason Isbell posted a pic of Rick Rubin and himself on Instagram at what appears to be Rubin’s Shangri La Studios in Malibu. Isbell captioned the pic, ‘Spent the day with Rick and it was good’ and left fans with no clue of what the future may hold. We wait in anticipation…
Rick Rubin
Santana Teases Fans With Trippy Track Video for ‘Yo Me Lo Merezco’
Santana recently teased fans by sharing a new song ‘Yo Me Lo Merezco’ from the group’s forthcoming album,
‘Africa Speaks’ with a trip animated video. Inspired by African rhythms, sounds and melodies, fans can expect the release of the full album on June 7 via Concord Records. The group teamed up with producer, Rick Rubin and recorded 49 songs in 10 days at Rubin’s Shangri La Studios in Malibu. Santana was quoted saying that the track is “killer, African, dynamic, vibrant, filled with exuberance. It feels like this was meant to be … like a gift from heaven to receive and give to the masses.” The album features an eight-piece band – including vocals of Afro-Latin singer Buika and Santana’s wife Cindy Blackman on drums.
Zane Lowe Interviews Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin is one of the most influential musical figures of our time and whether you know it or not, you have listened, bought and enjoyed a record crafted by this renowned producer. Zane Lowe took the rare opportunity to hear the super-producer speak. Rubin has worked with everyone from Slipknot to Shakira, Run DMC to the Dixie Chicks and opened up to Lowe on how he managed to stay focused while helming his way through pop star egos. The gentle, barefoot producer confirmed that he managed through maintaining a genuine love for music and talked about the significance of creating an environment for musicians that serves as a recording studio and a metaphorical therapist couch.”The goal is to create a setting where the artist can be completely vulnerable,” he says. Lowe was also given the opportunity to explore the interior of Shangri La studios and the renovated Bob Dylan tour bus that also serves as a recording space.
Smashing Pumpkins: “Solara” and “Shiny And Oh So Bright” reunion tour
Smashing Pumpkins’ founding members, Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin hit the studio again for the first time in 18 years to coincide with their upcoming reunion tour. Rick Rubin, who worked with the Pumpkins during the Adore sessions in 1997, co-produced on their first offering, “Solara”. Rubin produced a version of “Let Me Give the World to You” that was eventually discarded by Corgan and remained unreleased until the reissuing of “Adore” in 2014” and more recently he helmed Corgan’s 2017 solo album, Ogilala. The band’s “Shiny And Oh So Bright” reunion tour starts in Glendale, Arizona, on July 12th marking Corgan, Iha, and Chamberlin’s first shows together since 2000 and also celebrating the Pumpkins’ 30th anniversary.
Billy Corgan went on the “It’s Electric” show with Lars Ulrich discussing the band’s reunion, working with Rick Rubin again, former Pumpkins bassist D’Arcy Wretzky’s attitude and his undying love for Black Sabbath. Ulrich addressed Corgan with a series of questions regarding Rubin who produced eight new songs featuring reinstated Chamberlin and Iha. Corgan compared his relationship with the Pumpkins’ drummer, Chamberlin, to Ulrich’s connection with Metallica frontman James Hatfield or former Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Bonham and applauded Chamberlin on being a great listener. He noted that Chamberlin has an unusual talent for remembering arrangements and that Iha operates on the sidelines, adding “colours” and subtle suggestions when needed.