Wyclef Jean News

(9/17/02, 5 p.m. ET) -- Music's newest odd couple may be Tom Jones and Wyclef Jean, who recently completed a dozen tracks on a yet-untitled album for the veteran Welsh singer.

The lead single, "Tom Jones International," was described as Jones "funked up," on Jones's official website (tomjones.com). The album was recorded over the last 12 months at Platinum studios in New York City. Jones co-wrote the material with the Fugees star and his production partner, Jerry "Wonder" Duplesis.

"Wyclef and Jerry are really brilliant. They have so many ideas and such a wide appreciation and knowledge of all styles of music," Jones said in a post on his website.

"They know how to work with me, my voice, my history; and they know how to stretch me while still making me find what's real," he said. "Even if this record doesn't sell a single copy, by its very nature it will make a lot of noise and I'm so proud of it. I can't wait for this release. You'll be seeing and hearing me everywhere!"

Jones and Jean met a year ago at London's Hyde Park during the Party In The Park concert for the Prince's Trust Charity. Last November, the pair performed together at the Top Of The Pops awards in Manchester, reworking Jones's 1965 hit, "It's Not Unusual"; then Wyclef went on to record a version of Jones's classic "What's New Pussycat" on his album, Masquerade.

Jones has signed to V2 Records, which will release the album in November in international territories. However, a U.S. label and release date has not been announced.

-- Darryl Morden, Los Angeles

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