Citing a need to concentrate on rehabilitation...

Citing a need to concentrate on rehabilitation for a substance abuse problem, singer-guitarist Doyle Bramhall II has quit the Arc Angels, the Austin band he co-fronted with Charlie Sexton. Sexton and remaining bandmates Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon (who had been Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section) are looking for a replacement to work on the group’s second album. . . .

Brian McKnight’s booming producing and writing career is apparently keeping him from following swiftly on his own recent No. 1 pop single “Love Is,” a duet with Vanessa Williams. He’s been recently working on some tracks with Boyz II Men in England and Philadelphia, as well as Ce Ce Peniston and Take 6, and won’t have time to work on his next solo album until fall. . . .

Incidentally, the next Boyz II Men release won’t be a standard soul collection, but a Christmas album, due Sept. 7. . . . Country star Lorrie Morgan also figures to beat the holiday rush with a Christmas collection scheduled for July 13. The album includes duets with crooners Johnny Mathis and Andy Williams. . . .

Rapper Scarface is trying out a different image for his upcoming solo album, “The World Is Yours.” He’s a member of the Geto Boys, the Houston rap group known for its violent, slasher-movie-inspired raps, but he’s referring to himself as an “admitted poet” who loves classical and jazz music. The album, due Aug. 3, has been described as “street with style.” . . .

Clint Black and co-writer Hayden Nicholas got pun-happy on the song “Tuckered Out,” which will be on the “No Time to Kill” album, due July 13, weaving 33 references to other country acts into the lyrics. A sample: I’m Haggard, worn and Waylon from the bottom of my Restless Hear t / Don’t know Wy the Black cloud’s tailin’ me, there seems to be no Parton from the dark. Ouch. . . .

Lionel Richie has been lying low since his highly publicized move from Motown to PolyGram last year, but word is that the singer is recording his PolyGram debut, which could be out before the summer is over. . . . Pop-soul singer Basia is back in the studio working on her first album since 1991. No release date is set. . . .

Just because the “Smoke on the Water” lineup of Deep Purple has gotten back together for an album (“The Battle Rages On,” due Aug. 3) doesn’t mean they like each other. Word is that Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice will likely ride in separate buses on their upcoming tour and might each stay in different hotels. . . .

England’s TV Channel 4 is starting production on a 13-part series on pop music, with episodes planned to cover, among other things, Philadelphia soul, Delta blues, glitter-rock, punk and a world music segment supervised and possibly hosted by Peter Gabriel. The series is expected to air on U.S. cable or public TV next year.