Danger Mouse Busy With Gnarls, Keys, Topley-Bird

He's the greatest! He's fantastic! At least, that's how artists seeking some creative direction (and affable backing tracks) seem to feel. And no matter the project, he'll be there. Yep, Danger Mouse, the collabo-mongering beatmaker, has a new crop of far-flung studio companions and at least one familiar (albeit perpetually costumed) partnership soldiering on. Amazing! Astounding!

First, settle those bets, naysayers: there's a second Gnarls Barkley album on the way. Seems Cee-Lo Green and DM have holed themselves up in their Atlanta-area cave, waiting for the perfect time to strike with the follow-up to last year's St. Elsewhere. Looks like "the perfect time" to drop the sophomore set is around the turn of the new year.

Then there's the new album he's producing for London's Shortwave Set. The disc, tentatively titled Replica Sun Machine, features a 24-piece orchestra helmed by the legendary Van Dyke Parks and further input from the Velvet Underground's John Cale. That disc is set for release early next year.

And that Black Keys/Danger Mouse/Ike Turner collaboration we've been muttering about has turned into yet another gig for DM: the Akron bluesmen (who've never worked with an outside producer before) and Danger Mouse have been crafting the follow-up to last fall's Magic Potion. That record is slated for shelves from Nonesuch in early 2008.

Oh, and how's this for a blast from the past? Martina Topley-Bird, the aeriform accompanist from all those Tricky albums you keep meaning to revisit, will release her Mouse-assisted sophomore solo set, The Blue God, in early 2008 on Independiente.

Expect to see Danger Mouse on the cover of every single magazine's February issue.

Video: Gnarls Barkley: Smiley Faces [from the St. Elsewhere LP]