New CDs this week from the Dave Matthews Band, Elvis Costello

Two who'll be missed

Two albums come out today that pay tribute to the recently departed: saxophonist LeRoi Moore and producer J Dilla. Moore, who played in the Dave Matthews Band, died at 46 of injuries from an ATV accident last August, and the new DMB album contains work he completed before his death. J Dilla, who died in 2006 at age 32 from cardiac arrest after a long fight with lupus, has a posthumous release.

Dave Matthews Band, "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King": The band's first album in four years (out on RCA Records) is a beautiful celebration of music and life. Saxophonist Moore introduces the record with a sorrowful solo, leading into a rocking jam the band is well-known for.

The funk and rock band is softer on this album, merging themes of mortality and faith with thought-provoking lines like, "Doesn't everybody deserve to have a good life?"

J Dilla, "Jay Stay Paid": Executive-produced by his mother, Maureen Yancey, this album (on Nature Sounds) is a solid encore to the prolific producer's work. The 25-song collection contains previously unreleased J Dilla tracks arranged by his idol, producer Pete Rock. Black Thought of the Roots, MF Doom and M.O.P. also provided guest vocals.

During his career, J Dilla (James Dewitt Yancey) collaborated with many artists, from the Roots and Common to Janet Jackson and Prince. The tracks are catchy and charismatic, jumping out of the speakers, crying out with the potential lost.

Also out today

Rancid, "Let The Dominoes Fall" (Epitaph)

Taking Back Sunday, "New Again" (Warner Bros.)

Paolo Nutini, "Sunny Side Up" (Atlantic)

Elvis Costello, "Secret, Profane & Sugarcane" (Hear Music)

Marian Liu,

Seattle Times staff reporter