Rock News: Music's high and low notes

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

System of a Down is putting its money where its heart is. The band -- which will co-headline the "Pledge of Allegiance" concert at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J., on Tuesday -- will donate all of its proceeds from that show to the American Red Cross Liberty Fund, which aids the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

According to System of a Down's lead vocalist, Serj Tankian: "All of us in the band were very shaken by the events of Sept. 11. We know that there are so many victims of this tragedy who need help, and we felt that since we were going to be performing in the New York area, it was a perfect opportunity for us to do something that would make a difference. The donation is from our hearts."

'WHAT'S GOING ON'

"What's Going On" -- the "All Star Tribute" version of the Marvin Gaye classic -- hits stores Tuesday.

"What's Going On" features nine original mixes of the song by Jermaine Dupri (Original Mix and R&B Mix), Brian Eno, Moby, Fred Durst, The Neptunes, Junior Vasquez, Mike Mangini, and Mick Guzauski.

On Sept. 5 and 7, an ensemble of artists -- including Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Destiny's Child, Jermaine Dupri, Fred Durst, Eve, Nelly Furtado, Nona Gaye (Marvin's daughter), Darren Hayes (of Savage Garden), Ja Rule, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Aaron Lewis (of Staind), Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Nelly, 'N Sync, P Diddy, ?uestlove (of the Roots), Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe -- gathered together in New York City to record an "all-star" version of "What's Going On" to raise awareness and funds to fight against the scourge of AIDS in Africa.

In the wake of Sept. 11, Artists Against AIDS Worldwide decided to extend the recording's message beyond its original aim. A portion of the proceeds received by Sony Music from the sales of the CD will also go to the September 11th Fund of the United Way.

(Web sites: whats-going-on.org, columbiarecords.com, aaaw.org)

'WHAT MORE CAN I GIVE'

Michael Jackson completed the studio recordings for his benefit single "What More Can I Give." 'N Sync was the last to record the song being produced in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Other artists who took part in the project include Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Carlos Santana, Celine Dion, Tom Petty, Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child, Usher, Julio Iglesias, Reba McEntire, Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Gloria Estefan, Mya, Aaron Carter, Hanson, John Secada, Billy Gilman, Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men and Ziggy Marley.

Jackson hopes to raise more than $50 million for the families, orphans and survivors of the attacks. "We have demonstrated time and again that music can touch our souls. It is time we used that power to help us begin the process of healing immediately," he said in a statement.

MICK JAGGER

Mick Jagger is back on the radio. The song "God Gave Me Everything" --- from his upcoming solo album "Goddess In The Doorway" --- was released to radio last week and was the No.1 Most Added Single at rock stations, according to the trade industry journal Radio & Records.

Says Jagger, "(God Gave Me Everything) is a song I wrote with Lenny Kravitz. He wrote all the chord structure and then we wrote the top lines together. I said, 'Well, do you have any lyric ideas?' He said, 'Absolutely none.' So I went into a corner in this sort of Clockwork Orange house in Miami and wrote the lyrics in about ten minutes, and said, 'Well, I hope this is going to do.'"

Virgin Records will release Jagger's "Goddess in the Doorway" on Nov. 20. The CD marks the label debut for the Rolling Stone frontman and his first solo outing since 1993's "Wandering Spirit."

ANGIE STONE

Neo-soul singer Angie Stone will unveil her new album, "Mahogany Soul," at a party Tuesday at the Conga Room in Los Angeles.

The follow-up to her platinum CD "Black Diamond" marks her label debut on J Records.

The first single, "Brotha," is meant to honor and respect black men everywhere. The video --- already getting airplay on BET --- features cameos from Will Smith, Luther Vandross, Sinbad, Larenz Tate and Raphael Saadiq. It also highlights past and present icons such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Muhammad Ali and Colin Powell.

DELBERT MCCLINTON

Delbert McClinton's floating American roots music festival will set sail from Port Manatee (Tampa, Fla.) on Jan. 12. Confirmed artists on the seven-day Delbert McClinton & Friends Sandy Beaches Cruise VIII include Marcia Ball, Tommy Castro, Al Anderson & Jeffrey Steele, Bonnie Bramlett, Bekka Bramlett, Stephen Bruton, Nick Connolly, Bruce Channel, The Derailers, Jimmy Hall, Lloyd Jones & The Struggle, The Del McCoury Band, Gary Nicholson and Wayne Toups & Zydecajun.

"We're going to have some serious fun on board under tropical breezes that the folks back home will never believe," said McClinton. "It's like spending a week with the perfect family."

The Delbert Cruise -- now in its eighth year -- brings cruise-goers as many as ten hours a day of live music with concert-length sets, a world-class sound system, legendary jam sessions with artist sit-ins, and autograph sessions.

This year, the cruise sails aboard the Regal Empress (regalcruises.com).

(For information on the cruise, please call Entertainment Travel at 1-800-DELBERT or log onto delbert.com)