Q-Tip Readying New Album

Spotted on Billboard:

The respected MC from A Tribe Called Quest is working on a spring release titled The Renaissance. The always smooth MC hopes to steer hip-hop into a new direction by putting together what sounds like a band.

"I wanted a hip-hop sonic feel, something pure to the sound of hip-hop with real drums, real emotion and people taking solos," he told Billboard. "In that sense this record feels like we're moving in a new direction ... something hip-hop should do."

Q wants the album to be mostly guest free stating that "Sometimes guests don't really warrant an appearance." But he has put together a dangerously awesome trio to work with -- D'Angelo, Andre 3000, and Common (Could anybody post a current pic of D'Angelo for us).

Arista decided not to release the 2001 album Kamaal The Abstract, but Q-Tip owns the album and is going to officialy release it. Bonus tracks will be included for those folk who have the leaked copy from years back.

Q also spoke on the tour he did with A Tribe Called Quest last fall saying it felt good but doesn't think it is likely the group will reform for new material.