Hip-hop balladeer Everlast will keep busy in November with a U.S. club

tour and the release of a new five-song EP, Today.

The EP — Everlast's first release since his breakthrough solo album,

Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (1998) — is scheduled to hit

stores Nov. 16, according to Tommy Boy Records.

The EP will include the track "Put Your Lights On" (RealAudio

excerpt), a collaboration with Latin-rock pioneer Carlos Santana

that's also featured on Santana's hit album Supernatural.

That track, which melds Everlast's gravelly vocals with Santana's lyrical

lead guitar, features the refrain "All you killers/ Put your lights on."

The song was inspired by the near-fatal heart attack Everlast (born Erik

Schrody) experienced last year, shortly after completing Whitey Ford.

"Believe me, I am honored that [Everlast] would share it in my album,

because the message in that song is ... 'Put your lights on' —

crystallize your intentions, motives and purpose," Santana said recently.

"When [Everlast] got out of the hospital, the first melody that came into

his mind was this song," Greg DiGiovine, a member of Santana's management

team, said recently. "He had some spiritual awakening throughout that

near-death experience, and it translated into this song."

Also included on the EP will be a remix of the Whitey Ford track

"Today (Watch Me Shine)," as well as a rocked-up live version of "Jump

Around," Everlast's biggest hit with his now-defunct hip-hop group, House

of Pain.

The EP also will include "Blues for X-Mas," a cover of a song by blues

legend John Lee Hooker. "[It's] not the happiest Christmas song in the

world," John Nutcher, product manager for Tommy Boy, wrote in an e-mail.

Rounding out the release will be a live version of "What It's Like"

(RealAudio

excerpt), Everlast's radio-dominating hit.

Everlast tour dates:

Nov. 11; Miami, Fla.; Bayfront Park

Nov. 12; Melbourne, Fla.; Orbit Room

Nov. 13; Tampa, Fla.; The Masquerade

Nov. 14; Jacksonville, Fla.; Club 618

Nov. 16; New Orleans, La.; House of Blues

Nov. 21; Tucson, Ariz.; Gotham

Nov. 22; Tempe, Ariz.; Club Rio

Nov. 23; San Diego, Calif.; 'Canes Bar & Grill