The Black Crowes entered a New York studio last week to begin pre-production on their forthcoming, as yet untitled album.|

For the first time, the Crowes have ventured up to the Big Apple to record an album. This recording will be the band's fifth major label release, and their first with new bassist Sven Pipien, formerly of Atlanta-based Mary My Hope.

The band has teamed up with producer Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith's Nine Lives) and has been rehearsing in Atlanta for the past few months. According to a source close to the Crowes, the album, which is the follow-up to 1996's Three Snakes and a Charm, will hopefully be ready by the end of this year. However, since they just started pre-production and are still looking for a replacement for guitarist Marc Ford (who is reportedly playing in Chris Stills' band), a final release date is still up in the air.

The Crowes have no touring plans at this time. Stay tuned for more information. (Ari Bendersky)