BILLY CORGAN PULLS IN NEW TEAM ON ALBUM SESSIONS

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS are planning to record a track with Rick Rubin for their next album which Billy Corgan (pictured) describes as "arcane night music". The collaboration with Rubin is expected to take place at the end of February in Los Angeles.

The new album, due out in June, is being produced by Corgan after abortive sessions in Chicago last year with Liz Phair's producer Brad Wood. The sound on the album is said to be heavily influenced by the fact that Corgan is reportedly using drum machines on many tracks rather than human drummers. The Pumpkins have still to name a permanent replacement for their touring drummer Matt Walker.

Depeche Mode/U2 producer Flood who co-produced 'Melon Collie And The Infinite Sadness' will join Corgan in the studio next month to co-mix the record. Matt Cameron, former Soundgarden drummer, has played on 12 songs for the album but, contrary to earlier reports, is not joining the band. It has yet to be confirmed how many of his drum tracks will end up on the finished album.