Randolph Tunes To Surface With Thomas, Lanois, DMB

August 18th, 2006

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band wrote enough tunes in the run-up to their sophomore album, "Colorblind," that several outtakes will wind up appearing on other artists' projects. As previously reported, "Colorblind" is due Sept. 26 via Warner Bros.

Randolph and company spent more than two weeks with working with producer Daniel Lanois, and while none of those tracks made the cut for "Colorblind," at least one is tipped to appear on Lanois' next studio album. "Working with him got me into a whole other headspace," Randolph tells Billboard.com.

Likewise, songs written with matchbox twenty's Rob Thomas intended for "Colorblind" will instead be considered for Thomas' second solo album. Look for Randolph on the next Dave Matthews Band album as well; Matthews and horn player Leroi Moore appear on the "Colorblind" track "Love Is the Only Way."

"Me and Dave got into a whole other array of songs, and one or two of those will be on his record," Randolph says.

With "Colorblind" finally ready for release, Randolph and company are plotting a fall headlining tour of North America to run from mid-October through early December. Van Hunt is in talks to open some shows.

"With this record, we didn't want to go into any long jams, because we know when we play the song live, it's going to be longer," Randolph says with a laugh. "If you watch Prince, any song he records could be nine minutes at a show, and even more crazy."