El-P, founder of Definitive Jux, has taken a turn into jazz on "High Water" as part of Thirsty Ear's Blue series that’s due February 17 2004. The set contains contributions from Blue musician’s pianist Matthew Shipp, bassist William Parker, horn player Daniel Carter, trombonist Steve Swell and drummer Guillermo Brown.

"I'm grateful to have been able to collaborate with such amazing musicians," El-P says in a statement. "The music on this album came from one day's live session, in which I brought in compositions that [the] Blue Series guys improvised to. I then took the results of that and reworked them into structured songs."

El-P has several Def Jux related projects under development for 2004 as well, including a new track on the upcoming compilation "Definitive Jux Presents III." He also has an instrumental album, "Collecting the Kid," will be available via import only. In addition, he's launched a side project, Central Services, with Camu Tao of S.A. Smash.

The artist has recently worked with Aesop Rock's Definitive Jux release, "Bazooka", which he produced.