Los Lobos [ tickets ] returns on May 4 with a new album titled "The Ride," which features appearances by well-known artists including Elvis Costello, Tom Waits [ tickets ], Ruben Blades, Mavis Staples, Bobby Womack and Richard Thompson.

Other contributors include Dave Alvin, Mitchell Froom, Garth Hudson, Martha Gonzalez, Quetzal and Willie G.

"We're all very proud of this album," Los Lobos [ tickets ] guitarist Louie Perez said in a statement. "It reflects our evolution as musicians who have been playing together for a long time and who have worked to absorb a lot of different musical styles and artistic ideas during a long and enjoyable musical journey. And, it was fun to make music with some good friends."

Chicago prosecutors have dropped seven of the 21 charges that had been filed against R&B star R. Kelly [ tickets ], but the singer/songwriter still faces 14 child-pornography counts, according to published reports.

The dropped charges reportedly involved allegations of soliciting a minor to appear in pornography; the defense sought to have the charges thrown out because he is accused of violating laws that weren't on the books at the time of the alleged crime.

Members of Prince [ tickets ]'s NPG Music Club will have the first shot at tickets for the impending Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's upcoming arena tour. A lifetime membership in the club is $25, according to a press release. Besides access to ticket pre-sales and other benefits, new club members will receive a free copy of the forthcoming Prince CD "Musicology."

Weezer [ tickets ] will reissue its self-titled, 1994 set (known as "The Blue Album") on March 23 as a two-CD deluxe edition.

Disc one will feature the original album, digitally remastered in its entirety. Disc two consists of international b-sides (including live acoustic tracks, rarities and demos). Previously unreleased tracks on the second disc include demos for "Undone--The Sweater Song," "Paperface" and "Only In Dreams," and pre-production recordings for "Lullaby for Wayne" and "I Swear It's True."

Set for release on the same day is the DVD "Video Capture Device: Treasures from the Vault 1991-2002," which features more than three hours of material.

Included are the group's videos for "Undone--The Sweater Song," "Buddy Holly," "Say It Ain't So," "Hash Pipe" and "Photograph," as well as new videos created for the DVD. The set is rounded out by live footage dating from the band's earliest days through its 2002 tour, as well as rare acoustic performances.