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News Roundup: Jay-Z, Smashing Pumpkins, Beck, Freebass

Def Jam may not fork over the cash for Hova, but it appears Mr. Steve Jobs‘ pocket book is a little deeper; According to a report by The Boy Genius, Jay-Zis entering into a deal with Apple to head the computer company’s firstrecord label. World domination: check. An Apple spokesperson declinedcomment on the rumors. [Via thedailyswarm.com]

On the heels of dropping their reunion LP, Zeitgeist, Smashing Pumpkins have unveiled American Gothic,a new EP available now in the U.S. exclusively via iTunes. Thefour-song set was recorded between the alt-rock god’s tours, anddispatches “The Rose March,” an older, Pete Townshend-approved Billy Corgan track. [Via Pitchfork]

Like Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, and many other influential musicians before him, Beck‘s landmark 1996 LP Odelaywill be deluxe-ified and reissued Jan. 29 as a two-disc set with 19 newtracks — unreleased material from the album’s original sessions,remixes, and B-sides — including a Spanish language mariachi renditionof “Jackass,” entitled “Burro.” ¡Enhorabuena! [Via Pitchfork]

Liam Gallagher,historically fond of substance insuffilation, will experiment with anew method of consumption, and take the stage in Manchester with Freebass, a collective of low-enders including former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke, New Order’s Peter Hook, and Primal Scream’s Mani. More news sure to come — Peter Hook loves to blog! [Via The Sun]