Patti Smith Releases New Album Today, 6/5

Patti Smith previously announced today's June 5th release of her eleventh studio album, Banga. This album marks Smith's first collection of original material since 2004, when she made her Columbia Records debut with the critically-acclaimed trampin'. 'April Fool,' the first single from Banga, (featuring Tom Verlaine) is available digitally today.

Banga was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City and produced by Patti Smith and her band: Tony Shanahan, Jay Dee Daugherty and her long-time collaborator Lenny Kaye. Featured guests include Tom Verlaine, Jack Petruzzelli, Smith's son Jackson and daughter Jesse Paris.

Inspired by Smith's dreams and observations, Banga's lyrics are a reflection of our complex world and capture a wide range of human experience.

There is an exploratory spirit in the songs that make up Banga, including a melodic overture imagining the voyage of Amerigo Vespucci to the New World in 1497 (Amerigo), a rock song for the people of Japan in the wake of last year's earthquake (Fuji-san), a classic ballad in memory of Amy Winehouse (This Is The Girl), an improvised meditation on art and nature (Constantine's Dream) as well as a birthday song written for her friend Johnny Depp (Nine).

Patti Smith has received widespread recognition for her 2010 book, Just Kids, the story of her friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe and their effect on each other as burgeoning artists. Just Kids earnEd Smith the 2010 National Book Award for nonfiction as well as a new following. 

The full track listing for Banga is as follows:
Amerigo
Fuji-san
April Fool
This Is The Girl
Banga
Maria
Tarkovsky (The Second Stop is Jupiter)
Mosaic
Nine
Seneca
Constantine's Dream
After the Gold Rush

For more information visit www.pattismith.net or www.columbiarecords.com.