It's been suggested that music brings people together. Jayhawks' co-founders Gary Louris and Mark Olson know that to be true. The two are releasing their first full-length studio collaboration since 1995, titled 'Ready For the Flood,' this summer. "I'm very excited about it," Louris tells Spinner. "We've gotten a second chance as friends and songwriters."

The band tapped Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson to produce the effort, who also produced Louris' latest solo effort, 'Vagabonds.' "I think it's confusing to some people," Louris says of his friendship and creative alliance with Robinson. "Chris is perceived as this loud, brash, lead singer in a blues rock band, but he is so much more than that. He's one of the most intelligent, honest and loyal people I know. And his taste goes well beyond the Small Faces and the Stones, who people associate with him. I mean, he knows about everything from Stockhausen to pop music."

Louris certainly didn't need any instruction on how to produce, as he's done just that all along. However, the soundingboard he'll take. "I needed someone I could trust to help me sort through the songs," he says, "and bring energy to the project."