News Roundup: 4/13/2009

Randy Cain, a founding member of Philadelphia soul pioneers the Delfonics, died Thursday April 9 at his Maple Shade, NJ home. With brothers William and Wilbert Hart, Cain formed the Delfonics in the early 60s, shaping the smooth sound that spawned hits like La La Means I Love You and the Philly Soul movement. Cain was 63. [Yahoo.com] YouTube and Universal Music Group have revealed Vevo, a joint venture that includes a premium music video website as well as a dedicated channel on YouTube. The companies expect Vevo, which could include long-form and original programming as well as conventional videos, to be the largest music video site in the U.S. when it launches later this year. [PaidContent.org] A decade after their classic album Blackout!, Method Man and Redman will release Blackout 2. The album, which features production work by Erick Sermon and Pete Rock and cameos by UGK and Raekwon, arrives May 19, but the duo leaked the music video for Ayo late last week. [Spin.com] Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band and the Beastie Boys are among the first headliners announced for this years Outlands Festival, which will take place August 28-30th at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The date marks Pearl Jams first U.S. show this year and their first major festival date since 2008s Bonnaroo. [RollingStone.com] Not only are the New York Dolls collaborating with Todd Rundgren on their upcoming album Cause I Sez So, Rundgren will also join the seminal band on a few dates of their May tour. [Billboard.com] With any luck, diehard Prince fans saved enough money buying LotusFlow3r at Target to splurge on 21 Nights: The Prince Opus, a limited-edition set that documents his 21 show stand at Londons O2 Arena in 2007, which costs $2100. For that chunk of change, fans get an iPod preloaded with the Indigo Nights live album, a 40-minute film and a 280-page book that is nearly two feet wide. Financing options are available. [Guardian.co.uk] Regina Spektors upcoming album Far features four very different producers: ELOs Jeff Lynne; Mike Elizondo, better known for working with Eminem and Dr. Dre (as well as a more logical connection, Fiona Apple); Strokes collaborator David Kahne; and Garrett Jacknife Lee, producer to REM, Weezer and Bloc Party. No word on whether or not Far is going to be an art-pop/hip-hop/garage-rock mashup, but its due on June 23. [NME.com] The Rock Band version of Chinese Democracy is arriving much faster than its inspiration did: The album that took 15 years to make only needed 6 months to be translated into a video game (which hits stores on Tuesday). [Spinner.com]