Pet sounds and Lennon throwdowns

Atlanta's ambassadors of old-school soul, Soulphonics & Ruby Velle, recently finished recording a sly 7-inch, featuring the songs "Heartlite" b/w "The Man Says," due Dec. 15 on Element Records. It's their second release this year, following the "Feet on the Ground" single that dropped in February, and it offers a taste of what's to come on their full-length, currently in production. In the meantime, "Heartlite" can be heard on a local compilation CD titled The Holiday Twelve: All Creatures Great and Small, which landed in local record shops on Nov. 26. Other contributing artists include Indigo Girls, Yacht Rock Revue, Gringo Star and more. Ninety percent of the CD's net sales will be donated to the Atlanta Humane Society.

Black Lips recently finished recording a sixth studio album at MetroSonic Studios in New York with producer Mark Ronson. While in the studio, Sean Lennon — son of former Beatles singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lennon — dropped by the studio to play the theremin on a new song called "Fresh Meat." But according to Black Lips singer and guitarist Cole Alexander, a lot of other musicians contributed to the song and no one is sure which parts will end up on the finished track.

Speaking of the Lennon clan, there's an interview with the oft-vilified Yoko Ono on CL's A&E blog. Ono talks about the life and art of her fallen husband John Lennon to promote a show featuring 100 of his drawings, lithographs and hand-written song lyrics from both the Beatles catalogue and his solo career, titled So This is Christmas: A Tribute to John's 70th Year at the Westin Buckhead (Dec. 3-5). "Drawing was kind of like his security blanket," Ono says. "He did a lot of it and he was expressing himself and what was going on in his life in different ways." Proceeds from the show benefit Atlanta Children's Shelter.

The 7th annual Jimi Hendrix Birthday Tribute returns to the Royal Peacock on Sun., Dec. 5. Hendrix would have turned 68 this year. To celebrate, guitarist Hermon Hitson, who was a friend and songwriting collaborator of Hendrix before he moved to Europe and became a superstar, heads up a bill with Angel's Wing, Lefty Williams, the Dolldaze and more. There's also talk of a birthday cake that's shaped like Hendrix's guitar, so go get a slice!

In new release news, local psych/garage rock band A. Grimes, featuring members of Back Pockets and Street Violence, recently finished recording a debut EP, Malt Liquor Fantastrophe, which is being mixed by Dr. Conspiracy and Drumz of Lee Harvey Oswald. Senor Kaos has a new mixtape dropping right around Christmas called The Most Interesting MC in the World. The vinyl version of Abby Go Go's self-titled LP (Double Phantom Records) is out now, just in time for a Dec. 3 release party at the Earl that doubles as the 14th anniversary party for local rock rag Stomp & Stammer. And last but not least, Ponderosa's long-awaited New West Records debut, Moonlight Revival, drops Jan. 18.