One benefit of having severe sleeping issues (as I have been having all week) is that I can channel some of my insomnia into making delicious posts here at the Muffin Bakery. Having said that, I want to take this opportunity to give an A.M. shoutout to another upcoming release that I think the Muffin will enjoy.

North America South America (N.A.S.A.) is a collaboration between producers Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon, and they are set to release their debut album, ‘The Spirit of Apollo’ on February 17.  The expansive project name is meant to reflect the spirit of colloboration that appears on the record.  Guests include Santogold, Kanye West, M.I.A., ODB, Karen O, Jon Frusciante, Lykke Li, George Clinton and Tom Waits(!). Upon speaking to NME, Squeak noted that he had to hunt down Waits in his northern California studio in “fucking farm country in the middle of nowhere,” but that it was well worth it.  Well played gents.

The album itself will further the joint venture aspect of the enterprise by including five interchangeable covers by five different artists.  Among the chosen artisans are Mr. Shepard Fairey, who recently gained fame with his iconic Obama ‘Hope’ image and Time magazine cover, and Mr. Sage Vaughn, an LA-based graffiti artist. Note - I am completely unsure as to why I am being so formal when referencing the aforementioned gentlemen.

Now, I have to ask, does this album count as a compilation? Because if so, then 2/17/09 may have to go down as the most epic compilation release day in my lifetime (see the other release here).  Incidentally, Feb. 17th also marks the day of my birth, so I’m sure that has something to do with all of this.  Compilation or not, I’m definitely scooping this up in a few short weeks. Tracklisting and jams below. Check it:

1. Intro
2. The People Tree (feat. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift Of Gab & Z-Trip)
3. Money (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip)
4. N.A.S.A. Music (feat. Method Man, E-40 & DJ Swamp)
5. Way Down (feat. RZA, Barbie Hatch & John Frusciante)
6. Hip Hop (feat. KRS-One, Fatlip & Slim Kid Tre)
7. Four Rooms, Earth View
8. Strange Enough (feat. Karen O, Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Fatlip)
9. Spacious Thoughts (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)
10. Gifted (feat. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li)
11. A Volta (feat. Sizzla, Amanda Blank & Lovefoxxx)
12. There’s A Party (feat. George Clinton & Chali 2na)
13. Whachadoin? (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner)
14. O Pato (feat. Kool Kojak & DJ Babão)
15. Samba Soul (feat. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & DJ Qbert)
16. The Mayor (feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, Scarface & DJ AM)
17. N.A.S.A. Anthem

N.A.S.A. - Gifted ft. Kanye, Santogold & Lykke Li

N.A.S.A. - Strange Enough ft. Karen O, ODB & Fatlip

N.A.S.A. - Whachadoin? ft. Spank Rock, MIA, Santogold & Nick Zinner

The Spirit of Apollo is currently available for preorder on Amazon, and will be available on 2/17 wherever good music is sold.