Remarkable talent Jonny Lang swings back into town Monday for a show at Brady Theater as he continues to ride the waves of his second major-label release, Wander This World. The album found Lang returning to his R&B roots as he stretched his abilities across musical barriers from blues to R&B to rock to pop and back again with an almost effortless ease.

"I think the new record definitely bridges the generation gap," Lang said. "People who come to our concerts range from people my age to my grandfather's age. I love seeing the crowd at the front of the stage, eyes closed and shaking their heads. That's the most magical thing about it."

Recently, Lang shared studio time with Hanson whom he met in England some time ago. "It is very cool to know a guy your age who can play like that; it is really inspiring," Isaac Hanson said of Lang. The trio certainly shares a foundation of musical inspiration from which their recordings are produced: the creme de la creme of R&B from the likes of Otis Redding and others.

"….My biggest heroes and influences are probably Prince, Stevie Wonder and Otis Redding, along with B.B. King and Albert Collins," Lang said in an interview with Guitar World, recently.

Lang will be gearing toward the creation of his own upcoming release post touring. Catch him while you can.

Although the wait for a studio follow-up to the multi-platinum Hanson release, Middle of Nowhere, has left some once-rabid fans disillusioned, the buzz on the final results hints toward a wait well worth while.

Eager for focus to be placed well beyond appearance, the guys have put an edge on their sound where once a glossy finish existed. The evolution makes for an inevitable musical and lyrical maturity. Re-teaming with MON powerhouse duo Stephen Lironi (Jon Bon Jovi, Black Grape, Fun Loving Criminals) and Mark Hudson (Aerosmith), the brothers stepped up to the position of co-producers and sole songwriters for the as-yet-untitled album. Recording and mixing duties were completed in L.A. and Miami, FL, respectively.

Going back to their historical rock and R & B roots, Hanson put a spin on the tracks with a little help from their friends. Blues guitar phenom Jonny Lang joined the boys in the studio for a few tracks. One track in particular is an already critically lauded tune called "This Time Around." "He can play like nobody's business, and he's a really great guy…" Isaac said recently in an Entertainment Weekly article.

Also on board were John Popper, front man for the band Blues Traveler and harp-player extraordinare, as well as a choir directed by keyboardist/vocalist Rose Stone, of Sly and the Family Stone fame. The choir, which goes by the name of "Sauce," lent a gospel touch to the stirring "Dying to be Alive."

"What a cool experience to have such a soulful group come in and sing," Zac said on the band's website www.hansonline.com. "It makes you realize how far you have to go."

DJ Swamp, best noted for his past collaborations with Beck, did a little scratching. Other tracks on the album include "Runaway Run," "If Only," "Bridges of Stone" and "You Never Know."

Most recently, the album has been slated to be released on April 25, with the new single breaking out sometime around March. Coinciding with the release, Hanson will embark on yet another, but more extensive, world tour. For now, however, they're enjoying some much-deserved relaxation. While they sigh, the world holds its collective breath in anticipation of what's to come.

Keep checking Urban Tulsa Weekly for a full article and interview with the band.