Ear on TV: Week of November 3

It's been nearly a decade since his last released album (Amplified,) but it's not as if Q-Tip hasn't been working since. The former A Tribe Called Quest MC at one time bounced between five labels in six years, even finalizing an album (Kamaal the Abstract, 2002) that his label ended up shelving at the last minute, deeming it too un-commercial. All told, he's recorded three albums during this time that never saw the light of day, but that all finally changes with the release of The Renaissance on Election Day, intentionally tying the album to the hope of a new beginning for both America and QT.

Q-Tip is scheduled to perform the lead single in "Gettin' Up" on Letterman Thursday, and that song featured production from longtime friend and colleague the late J Dilla, who passed on nearly three years ago. QT references Dilla several times in the album, but it's the glory days of A Tribe Called Quest that are the big take away here. Not just QT's impeccable timing in rhyme, but also the jazz collages that made an album like Midnight Marauders a hip-hop classic.

Rewinding a bit to Monday, Jenny Lewis appears on Letterman bringing on her more famous sidekick Elvis Costello, who sings on Lewis' "Carpetbaggers". It's nice to see Costello palling around with alt country ladies (he also duets on Lucinda Williams' "Jailhouse Tears",) but on this song he almost seems an afterthought. Still, that tandem could be singing "We Built This City" and I'd watch.

Meanwhile, TV on the Radio continues showcasing 2008's album of the year, this time playing Leno on Friday. Their performance of "Dancing Choose" last month on Letterman took place on a fire escape (video,) which was probably necessary because they were en fuego. Jay Leno might want to take some fire safety precautions in the coming days.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Eagles Of Death Metal
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jenny Lewis, Elvis Costello
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Sugarland
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: The Decemberists
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Young Jeezy, Nas
Tuesday, November 4
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: My Morning Jacket
Wednesday, November 5
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Chiodos
Thursday, November 6
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Q-Tip
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Cold War Kids
NBC: The Today Show: Elvis Costello
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: T.I.
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: The Kills, Sara Bareilles, The Fratellis (REPEAT)
Friday, November 7
ABC: Good Morning America: Paul Simon
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Hank Williams III
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: TV on the Radio
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Chromeo
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip (REPEAT)
Saturday, November 8
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Kings Of Leon (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Carolyn Wonderland & The..., Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings