Sorry to report, but the recent union between Depeche Mode founders Martin Gore and Vince Clarke isn’t for a new Depeche Mode LP, an extended tour, or even new tracks for a greatest hits release. However, as Confucius once uttered: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” And the duo have taken the first step to what may be a fruitful 2011.

On August 27th, Clark shared via Twitter that he and Gore had begone work on the track “Zaat”. According to our friends at Slicing Up Eyeballs, expect the “techno-ish” track to appear on Clarke’s forthcoming Erasure album. While little is known about the release, outside of Clarke’s sporadic tweets, Erasure bandmate Andy Bell has been dropping by Clarke’s recording studio in Maine for impromptu sessions. The duo has been submitting songs to Mute Records’ president Daniel Miller this summer, but an album release date has yet to be set.

If that weren’t enough, Gore is set join ex-Depeche Mode member Alan Wilder in Santa Ana, California on October 24th for a special Recoil performance. The announcement was made August 28th, as part of a rather cryptic 11-second message, that you can view below. But an announcement off the Recoil website on August 29th suggests that the event may not be the collaboration DM fans would expect. On the blog, Wilder writes: “[Gore] will be appearing to DJ at an aftershow DM/Recoil party. Martin has graciously agreed to appear just for this event to spin a collection of his favourite tracks.” Either way, pick up your tickets at Ticketmaster.