Artists & Music Kravìtz Looks Forward On `Nits' Set Virgin Compilation Includes Praised New Track `Again' BY LARRY FLICK MTV and VH1. In fact, the Web sites NEW YORK -Lenny Kravitz says for both networks have further sup- he sometimes marvels at the fact ported the clip (in which the artist is that he's recorded enough material paired with actress Gina Gershon) to fill a greatest-hits compilation. by offering it as an exclusive timed - "Let's face it," he says with a sigh. out download using the Microsoft "This is the era of disposable, crash - Windows Media Player. The net- and -burn careers. It's a blessing to works' Web sites (mtv.com and still be standing 11 years down the vhl.com) have been offering the clip Feelin' Soulful. Capitol diva Rachelle Ferrell recently played showcases in New line feel -and to also like your best since Sept. 22. After Monday (9), the York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to launch her latest recording, "Individuality years are on the horizon." KRAVITZ clip can be downloaded at Kravitz's (Can I Be Me ?)." The set was produced it The by George Duke, and features guest singer /tunesmith offers site (lennykravitz.com) and Virgin's appearances by Kenny Lattimore and Jonathan Butler, among others. Pictured, highlights of what has been an the best place for it to land. It's very site (virginrecords.com). from left, are Ferrell, Lattimore, and actress Dawn Lewis. undeniably sterling run as a simple, but it has a lot of energy." (Continued on page 21) recording artist on "Greatest "Again" is fueling an aggressive, Hits," due Oct. 24 on Virgin, while multifaceted marketing campaign also giving a minor hint of where that is designed to provide Kravitz he's headed next. In addition to with his biggest pop hit to date. such rock -radio staples as "Are You "We believe that we have the Len- Gonna Go My Way," "Let Love ny Kravitz single that mainstream Poe `Haunted' By Father's Voice On Atlantic; Rule," and "Fly Away," the 15 -cut pop listeners have been waiting for," collection includes "Again," a lean, says Virgin Music Group vice chair- guitar- driven new jam that was ini- man Nancy Berry of the cut, which Moby And Madonna Mahe Mahayana `Mantra Mix' tially intended for inclusion on went to top 40, rock, and triple -A Kravitz's next studio effort. formats on Sept. 22. "The early re- ATALE OF POE: To paraphrase the narrator in Poe says. "I'm telling my version of the same theme. "But the more we listened to it, sponse at top 40 radio, in particular, the movie "Magnolia ": "You may be done with the I read his book while I was writing the album, but the more it seemed to stand alone," supports that theory." past, but the past may not be done with you." you have to remember, I've been reading the book says the artist, who is already lay- The single is complemented by a So Poe found out when she wrote the songs for for 10 years. These are ideas that he and I have ing down tracks for an album music video lensed by famed direc- "Haunted," her first album in five years, which have been talking about for a very long time." planned for mid -2001 release. "It tor Paul Hunter that is already get- comes out, appropriately enough, Oct. 31 on Fishkin However the album is received by the public, it's became clear that this album was ting heavy rotation airplay from Entertainment /Atlantic. already brought about a wonderful reaction from The song cycle is an extended letter of sorts to her Poe's family. "It's caused a closeness between my deceased father that covers childhood traumas and mother and me and my brother that was unimagin- loss as well as wonderment. With seemingly no lay- able a year ago. I needed my mother to hear this. I Eric Johnson's Alien Love Child ers left to protect her, Poe sings definitely feel as though, in a with an honest vulnerability that selfish way, I've been reward- is compelling. ed in a massive way. There Comes Alive On Favored Nations "I have to tell you that in the were things within me that process of making the album, it were fractured. This album is BY JIM BESSMAN a basic blueprint for a song, but most of was just something that I had to a journey into those regions NEW YORK -After three studio it is improvised. My roots as a player do. Period," says Poe. "To this that hurt, and a lot of the albums that vaulted him to the top since I was a kid are the blues: B.B. day, I haven't put a lot of regions don't hurt anymore." ranks of guitar -rock heroes, Eric King, Albert King, and early Eric thought into who else is going to "Haunted" will be the end Johnson, fronting the power trio Clapton. The mind -set for this live hear it. The first time they title for the movie "Blair Witch Alien Love Child, takes a mostly live - record was to capture some of that printed up 100 copies for people by Melinda Newman 2: Book Of Shadows." Addi- recording approach on his new set, `Live At The Fillmore' -era Cream." at Atlantic, I admit, I thought, tionally, Poe will perform the "Live & Beyond." "Live & Beyond," notes Cindy Paul, 'Oh, my God. What have I done ?' track on "The Late Late Show The disc, which features guest Favored Nations VP of marketing "But I don't really feel like I have anything to With Craig Kilborn" on Halloween. vocals by Storyville's Malford Milligan and sales, is a significant release for hide," she continues. "I hope that there are parts on two tracks, is Johnson's first for fel- the year -old company. "We're a young of it that can be useful to somebody else. So many STUFF: "Mantra Mix," a compilation album fea- low guitar ace Stew Vai's label, and it's important of my friends have said, `It's so bizarre that you're turing many top names, will benefit the Foundation RED -distributed to work with an artist of doing this when you've spent your whole life trying of the Mahayana Tradition, a Tibetan relief fund. Favored Nations label Eric's caliber," she says. to run away from your parents' voices.' " Narada World will release the project Oct. 24. and is due Oct. 24. "He's known as an inno- Unbelievably, two years ago, as Poe was sorting While the album primarily contains previously re- "Live & Beyond" con- vative guitarist. Steve out the logistics of making the album, she came leased tracks, such as Fatboy Slim's "Right Here, sists of nine live rendi- Vai has the ultimate across a box of audiocassettes recorded by her Right Now," Moby's "Everloving," and Madonna's tions of previously unre- respect for his ability: father, a documentary filmmaker. His voice crops "Shanti /Ashantgi," a number of cuts, such as leased songs, mostly He signed him and up often on the album, serving as a commentator Travis' "The Connection" and R.E.M.'s "Lotus recorded during a wrote high praise for of sorts from the grave. (Weird Mix)," have never been available stateside. three -night club gig at JOHN SON him on the pre -release "As I listened to these cassettes, the more I The release also includes an enhanced portion that Antone's in Johnson's disc, which he doesn't understood the nature of his voices in my head and features the Dalai Lama ... Christina Aguilera Austin, Texas, home base. The disc - usually do." I could separate the two," says Poe. "It's easier to will receive the YoungStar Starlight Award Nov. 19 closing 10th cut, "World Of Trouble," Favored Nations, adds Paul, is set- recognize the thought patterns that were his and at the fifth annual YoungStar Awards, presented is a new studio effort. "It's literally ting up album -release parties tying in not mine." by Billboard sister publication The Hollywood just us playing what went down live with radio stations in markets where Lest the description make the record sound like Reporter. Aguilera is receiving the humanitarian on tape, without going back and Johnson has a strong sales history, one long new -age whine, nothing could be further award for her work with the community outreach changing things," says Johnson. including Houston, Dallas, and Austin. from the truth. Bolstered by atmospheric dance organization Do Something. Alien Love Child came together in The label is also taking the album cut melodies like "Wild" or "Walk The Walk," the Metallica, Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, 1995 during the sessions for "Venus "The Boogie King," a tribute to John album features a full sonic range including the and Percy Sledge are among the acts that will have Isle," which Johnson issued through Lee Hooker, to triple-A and rock sta- acoustic "51/2 Minute Hallway" and the rocker "Not their music immortalized on "Masters Of Chant," Capitol in 1996. It includes drummer tions in October, at the same time that A Virgin." an album by a group of chanters who go by the Bill Maddox founder of fusion group the track "Rain" goes to AC stations. The album is a companion to "House Of Leaves," name Gregorian, coming Nov 21 on Edel America. the Electromagnets, of which Johnson Johnson will do radio and in -store the highly acclaimed, very original novel by Poe's While not actual monks, Gregorian is composed of is a former member -and bassist appearances as the Joe Priesnitz- brother, Mark Danielewski, about, among other a dozen classically trained chanters.