The Carolina Chocolate Drops release a four-song EP today, a collaboration with the New York City–based Romanian gypsy punk band Luminescent Orchestrii and beatboxer Adam Matta. "More than anything, this collaboration is a tribute to the power of music to bring people together," says No Depression. The Chocolate Drops’ begin their tour next week on Lincoln Center’s prestigious American Songbook; Matta and multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins join the band on the road.

Malian duo Amadou & Mariam release a 13-track digital album of remixes today, available exclusively in the US on iTunes. The Remixes collection features favorite singles from their best-selling albums Welcome to Mali and Dimanche à Bamako, along with several new versions, and some previously unreleased mixes, from across their catalog by what Pitchfork calls a "wonderfully random" group of collaborators. Highlights include new versions of the single "Sabali" by Miike Snow and French techno maestro Vitalic; and "Afrika" revisited by Bob Sinclar. 

John Adams's 1987 opera Nixon in China receives its Met premiere on February 2, with the composer on the podium and Peter Sellars directing. To coincide with this momentous occasion, Nonesuch will reissue the Grammy-winning original cast recording in a newly redesigned and specially-priced three-CD set with new notes by Adams and Sellars. Among the events marking the production are a conversation with Sellars at the Asia Society; a preview with Adams, Sellars, and cast members hosted by WQXR; and a conversation at the Met with the creators. The February 12 performance of Nixon in China will be broadcast live in movie theaters around the world.

True Grit—Joel and Ethan Coen's film adaptation of the 1968 Charles Portis novel, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld—opens in movie theaters across North America tomorrow. The film's soundtrack, featuring a score by Carter Burwell, a longtime Coen brothers collaborator, is out today. Variety spoke with the composer about just what makes "Burwell in tune with Coen brothers."

Smart Flesh, The Low Anthem's forthcoming Nonesuch release, due out February 22, is now available for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store. The album is available on CD and vinyl, and in a special deluxe edition that includes the album on CD plus a bonus disc of additional music and comes in a letterpress, numbered edition printed in the band's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. The first 250 pre-orders of Smart Flesh in the Nonesuch Store also include a letterpress printed poster, signed by the band. All pre-orders include an instant download of the album's opening track, "Ghost Woman Blues."

Nonesuch releases composer Carter Burwell’s score for the film True Grit on December 21, 2010. The film is directed by Joel and Ethan Coen and features Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, and Hailee Steinfeld. The Coen brothers wrote the script, which is based on the 1968 novel of the same name by Charles Portis. True Grit opens on December 22. The soundtrack is available now for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store.

The Low Anthem—fresh off a string of shows with Emmylou Harris and just as the band launches a five-date tour with the Carolina Chocolate Drops this weekend—has confirmed an initial run of 2011 worldwide tour dates in support of the band's forthcoming album, Smart Flesh, due out February 22. The band is offering the song "Ghost Woman Blues," from Smart Flesh, as a free download beginning today. You can download it here.

Wanda Jackson's new album, The Party Ain't Over, produced by Jack White, is due out January 25, and is now available for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store. The first 250 pre-orders include an exclusive, limited-edition poster autographed by Jackson, and all orders include high-quality album MP3s, available for download release day. What's more, with the current Nonesuch Store sale, all CDs and LPs are 33% off the standard retail price.

The Black Keys are celebrating both Black Friday and Record Store Day with the release of a special, limited-edition box set of their album Brothers to indie retailers and the Nonesuch Store. Included in the package are the original Brothers album on double 45 RPM vinyl and CD as well as a bonus 10” featuring six previously unreleased tracks recorded live in studio, and a limited-edition poster.

On February 22, The Low Anthem will release Smart Flesh, the self-produced follow-up to their critically lauded 2009 release, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, on Nonesuch. The majority of Smart Flesh's 11 tracks were recorded in a cavernous, vacant pasta sauce factory in Central Falls, Rhode Island. The eclectic array of instruments used on the album include jaw harp, musical saw, stylophone, three antique pump organs (restored by the band), and oversized drum kits.

Jessica Lea Mayfield’s Nonesuch Records debut, Tell Me, will be released February 8. Produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, the album follows Mayfield’s acclaimed 2008 release, With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, which Pitchfork gave an 8.2, calling it "fascinating and endlessly listenable." Tell Me is now available to pre-order in the Nonesuch Store, where the first 250 CD or vinyl copies include a signed 7” of the album’s first single, “Our Hearts Are Wrong.” Mayfield will tour throughout the fall, including dates with Jay Farrar and Justin Townes Earle.