After much legal wrangling, Dark Night For The Soul – the celebrated project spear-headed by hip-hop producer Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) and the late Mark Linkous (who performed under the name Sparklehorse) – is finally set for release.

Originally released in 2009 as a limited edition art book which came with photographs shot by film director David Lynch, the actual music from the collaboration was never officially released. Featuring a plethora of guests – such as the Flaming Lips, Gruff Rhys, Jason Lytle, Julian Casablancas, Black Francis, Iggy Pop, David Lynch, James Mercer, Nina Persson, Suzanne Vega and Vic Chesnutt – the project was the brainchild of Burton, a producer who’s worked on many other musical projects including Danger Doom (with rapper MF Doom), Broken Bells (with James Mercer of the Shins) and Blakroc (with the Black Keys). Sadly, Linkous did not live to see the record’s official release, the musician committing suicide back in March.
“Mark felt that it was an honour to be able to collaborate with so many of the artists on this record,” says Linkous’ family in a statement about the album. “His time and dedication to this project was immense and his hopes for its release are finally being realised. We are glad that people will now be able to hear these songs and know the beautiful gift that Mark shared with all of us through his music.”
Danger Mouse added: “I told Mark that we’d worked things out with EMI back in January and he was very happy that the album was finally going to be released this year. Mark meant a great deal to a lot of people and I’m grateful to have made music with him and to be a part of his legacy.”
Dark Night Of The Soul, dedicated to the memory of Florida singer Vic Chesnutt, will be released in Australia on Friday 9 July.