All, or at least many, ears are on Oz this week as ‘Wicked’ moves from stage to screen, starring major singing stars. It joins this week’s list of new music releases with new titles from Ice Cube, Lil Durk, Marilyn Manson, Father John Misty, Ice-T’s Body Count, Chicago, Elvis Costello and many more…

“Wicked: The Soundtrack” (Republic): The prequel to “Wizard of Oz” has been defying gravity for more than twenty years; now we’ll see if the magic works on the big screen as the film adaptation – the first of two parts – hits theaters. Will we want to hear new versions of ‘Defying Gravity’, ‘Popular’, ‘No Good Deed’ and all those other Stephen Schwartz compositions? Very likely; starring proven voices like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande and only for good.

Body Count, “Merciless” (Century Media): Ice-T brings his rap-rock collective back to disc for the eighth time with a stacked guest list that includes Howard Jones of Killswitch Engage, Sepultura/Soulfly veteran Max Cavalera, members of Cannibal Corpse and Fit For An Autopsy and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd on an interpolation of “Comfortable Numb.”

Chicago, “Chicago & Friends: Live on 55″ (Mercury Studios): An audio and video release of a bona fide thrilling concert in Chicago from November 2023 where the band was joined and fueled by guests such as Chris Daughtry, Steve Vai, Robert Randolph, Robin Thicke, Judith Hill, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and VoicePlay.

Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett, “The Coward Brothers” (Nieuw West/Audbile): Costello and period collaborator Burnett resume a collaboration they started in the mid-’80s, creating new music for an Audible Original comedy podcast also being released this week.

Crossbone Skully, “Evil World Machine” (better noise music): Super producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange (AC/DC, Def Leppard, Shania Twain) came out of retirement to produce this debut release from the side project of Alice Cooper and Hollywood Vampires guitarist Tommy Henriksen.

Ice Cube, “Man Down” (Lench Mob/Hitmaker): The rap veteran and NWA co-founder’s first new album in six years features collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Kurut, Too Short, Cypress Hill’s B-Real, Xzibit and more.

Kim Deal, “Nobody Loves You Anymore” (4AD): The first solo album from the Dayton native, formerly part of the Pixies and co-leader of the Breeders, following a string of solo singles she began releasing 12 years ago.

Father John Misty, “Mahashmashana” (sub doll): The enigmatic Josh (or J.) Tillman returns with his sixth studio album as Father John Misty and a mouthful (Sanskrit) title for an eight-song set including ‘I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us’ from his ‘Greatish Hits’ ‘. “album earlier this year.”

Michael Kiwanuka, “Small Changes” (Geffen/Polydor): Danger Mouse co-produced the fourth album by this award-winning British singer and songwriter, from the London firm Kinks in Muswell Hill.

Lil Durk, “Deep Thoughts” (Alamo/SME): The Chicago rapper’s eighth studio album has already released four singles and follows his arrest on October 25 in connection with a murder case against a rival rapper.

Marilyn Manson, “One Murder Under God – Chapter 1″ (Nuclear Explosion): Disturbing accusations and lawsuits have not tamed this Canton-born shock rocker, while alias Brian Warner celebrates being “sacrilegious” and “As Sick as the Secrets Within.” Don’t expect Chapter 2 to be friendlier.

Various artists, “Transa” (Red Hot): The latest collection of the adventurous Red Hot series is a star-studded celebration of trans life, with contributors including Sade Adu, Sam Smith, Andrew 300, Allison Russell, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Pharoah Sanders, Wendy & Lisa, Clairo, Blake Mills and much more.

Album title of the week: Joan Armatrading, “How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean Now” (BMG)

More new releases for November 22…

Ant (aka Anthony Davis), “Collection of Sounds: Part 2″ (Rhymesayers Entertainment)

Aptorian Demon, “Live teerslut” (Kyrck Productions & Armor)

Atreyu, “The Paranoia Sessions” (Spinefarm_)

Babyfxce E, “Real Striker Music” (Atlantic)

Sean Barna, “Internal Trembling” (Kill Rock Stars Nashville)

Camilla Battaglia, “Elektra” (Ropeadope)

Beatrix, “Vertigo: Spiraling” (self-released)

Birdtalker, “All Means, No End” (Tone Tree Music)

BlakeIANA, “Back in the Field” (300 entertainment/Murda Beatz music)

Bossa Nova Noites, “Bossa Nova Noites I: Bahia Nights” (self-released)

The Candy Whips, “Artificial Melodies” (Kitten Robot)

Common Sae, “Closer” (Equal vision)

Cyn, “Valley Girl: Side B – Los Angeles. No violation.” (Attacker/Capitol)

daydreamers, “daydreamers” (Robot Human/Epic)

Devil’s Cigarette, “I Wanna Be on TV” (sound pollution)

Micky Dolenz, “Live at the Troubadour” (self-released)

Tashi Dorji, “We’ll Be Where the Fires Are Lighted” (Drag City)

Flo, “Access to All Areas: Unlocked” (Uptown/Republic)

The Funeral Portrait, “Casanova (From Beyond the Abyss)” (Better Sound)

Hirsh Gardner, “Third time’s a charm” (Deko Entertainment)

Gordi, “Lunch in Dune” (self-released)

Niall Horan, “The Show: Live On Tour” (Capitol)

Natalie Imbruglia, “London – Live” (Edsel)

Alice Ivy, “Do what makes you happy” (Helix)

Boldy James & Harry Faud, “The Bricktionary” (SRFSCHL)

Natalie Jane, “Sick to My Stomach” (Capitol Music Group/10K Projects)

Daryl Johns, “Daryl Johns” (Mac’s record label)

Per Storby Jutbring, “Tenants of Misty Mansion (according to the landlord)” (HOOB)

Luna Honey, “Bound” (self-released)

Ron Houston, “ROAM” (self-released)

Knives, “One Cut Away From Love” (Punkerton)

Ben Kono Group, “Voyages” (self-released)

Koyo, “Mile a Minute” (pure sound)

Leya, “I Forget Everything” (NNA Tapes)

Luckly Love, “I Don’t Care If it Burns” (self-released)

Papa M, “Ballads of Harry Houdini (Drag City)

Bella Mackenzie, “Wild Thing” (island)

Jonathan Thomas Miller, “Environments for a Burning Planet, Part 2″ (Self-released)

Mudshark, “Beware the German Shepherd” (self-released)

Nightborn, “Arda” (self-released)

Ocean Grove, “Oddworld” (SharpTone)

1k Phew, “Let Go Let God: The EP” (Reach)

Opeth, “The Last Will & Testament” (Moderbolaget/Reigning Phoenix Music)

Lia Pappas-Kemps, “Gleam” (AWAL)

Polar, “Five Arrows” (Arising Empire)

Terry Presume, “Rage & Purity” (September)

Razorlight, “The Last WILL and TESTAMENT” (Reigning Phoenix Music)

Quando Rondo, “Here for a Reason” (Atlantic)

Jack Shane, “Therapuss” (10,000 projects)

Smashing Pumpkins, “Aghori Mhori Mei” (Martha’s Music/Thirty Tigers)

Kevin Smiley, “Hurts Worse” (Rebel music/gamma)

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Joe Goddard, “Neptunes EP” (Smugglers Way)

Star Bandz, “Estrella” (Priority/Capitol)

Storage, “Crossfire” (Borders)

Stone Horses, “Redemption Chronicles” (self-released)

Sun Ra Arkestra, “Light on a satellite” (in+out)

Solar Storm, “Restless Fight” (Boundaries)

37 Huizen, “37 Huizen” (self-released)

blink twice, i love you, “ep 2” (Heist Or Hit)

Unlettered, “Five Mile Point” (self-released)

Van Zant, “Always Look Up” (Boundaries)

Vitamin String Quartet, “Otaku” (CMH)

Xandria, “Universal Stories” (Napalm)

Xeon & Oaklander, “Via Negative (in the light of the doorway)” (DAIS)

From the vaults:

Allman Brothers Band, “Final Concert 10-28-14″ (Peach/The Orchard)

The Beatles, “1964 American Albums in Mono” (Apple Corps Lt//Capitol/UMe)

Black Star, “No Fear of Time” (Rhymesayers Entertainment)

Bon Jovi, “Bon Jovi (Deluxe Edition)” (country/UMe)

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, “Ballad of the Broken Seas” (cooking vinyl)

Can, “Can live in Keele 1977″ (Mute)

Eva Cassidy, “Walkin’ After Midnight” (Blix Street)

Clannad, “Legend (40th Anniversary Edition)” (BMG)

Cracker, “Alternative History: A Cracker Retrospective” (cooking vinyl)

Miles Davis, “Miles ’54: The Prestige Recordings” (Craft/Concord)

Friko, “Where We’ve Been, Where We Go from Here (Expanded Edition)” (ATO)

Don Henley, “Can’t Stand Still” and “Cass Couunty Deluxe” (Rhino)

Jefferson Airplane, “Original Album Classics” (music on CD)

Judas Priest, “Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Edition)” (Exciter)

Marillion, “This Strange Engine (Deluxe Edition)” (earMUSIC)

Motley Crue, “Dr. Feelgood (35th anniversary edition)” (BMG)

My dressing gown, “MMJ Live Vol. 4: Terminal5-NYC-The Television Fire 10/18/10″ (ATO)

Needtobreathe, “Live From the Woods” (Omnivore)

New Order, “Fraternity ‘Definitive’” (Rhino/Warner)

Olivia Newton-John, “Angels in the Snow” (Green Hill Production/Primary Wave)

Nothing More, “Nothing More (10th Anniversary)” (Better Noise Music)

Steve Perry, “Street Talk (Deluxe Edition)” (Rock Candy)

Pet Shop Boys, “Sparkle in the Rain (40th Anniversary)” (A&M/UMe) and “Nonetheless (Expanded Edition)” (Warner/Parlophone)

Simple Minds, “Sparkle in the Rain (40th anniversary)” (A&M/UMe)

Six Goes On Seven, “Heartbreak’s Got Backbeat” (Iodine Recordings)

Space, “Space: The Anthology” (Edsel/Demon)

Thompson Twins, “Into the Gap: 40th Anniversary Edition” (BMG)

TV on the Radio, “Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (20th Anniversary Edition)” (Touch and Go)

McCoy Tyner & Joe Henderson, “Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs” (Blue Note/UMe)

U2, “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (20th Anniversary)” (Island/UMe)

Various artists, “NOW I call that a huge ’70s party” (Sony/EMI)

Various artists, “Puccini: The Warner Classics Edition” (Warner Classics)

The War on Drugs, “Live Drugs Again (Encore Edition)” (Transgressive/Canvasback)

Nancy Wilson, “You’re Right as Rain: The Capitol Albums (1970-1980)” (SoulMusic/Cherry Red)

New holiday albums:

Clay Aiken, “Christmas Bells Are Ringing” (Alvis)

Dean & Britta and Sonic Book, “A Peace of Us” (parking lot)

Ever More Nest, “Merry Little Thing” (self-released)

Lyn Lapid, “winter wishes” (Mercury)

Mormon Tabernacle Choir, ‘Sings Christmas Carols’ (Real Gone Music)

The Philly Specials, “A Philly Special Christmas Party” (Vera Y)

Laura Pursell, “Need a Little Christmas” (Netcom)

Christian Sands, “Christmas Stories (Deluxe Edition)” (Mack Avenue)

Soundtracks:

“Across the Universe (music from the film/deluxe edition)” (Interscope)

“Arcane: League of Legends: Season 2 (Animated Series Soundtrack)” (Riot Games/Virgin)

“I’ll Be There – Original Movie Soundtrack” (Lakeshore)

“Moana 2 – Original Movie Soundtrack” (Walt Disney)

“The Spellbound Soundtrack” (island/republic)

“Sunset Blvd: The Album” (the other songs)