Sting is set to release a duets album featuring Eric Clapton and more.
The 68-year-old musician has teased his new record will be a "Christmas surprise" and will feature his previous collaborations with the likes of the ‘Layla’ hitmaker – who he was nominated for a Grammy alongside in 1993 for the ‘Lethal Weapon 3’ soundtrack, ‘It’s Probably Me’ – and jazz star Herbie Hancock.
During a recent appearance on ‘The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon’, which saw Sting perform his track ‘Mama’ with Brooklyn rapper Gashi, he said: "Over the years, I’ve recorded many, many duets with some amazing people — Herbie Hancock, Eric Clapton — so we just put them all together and said, ‘You know, we should put this out.’
"They sound pretty good. So it’s gonna be a Christmas surprise."
And speaking on how he came to appear on a song with Gashi, he shared: "Apparently, he was influenced by my singing, my music a lot. He’s written a song about his relationship with his mama. He played me the song and I thought it was a hit — what do I know? — so I said I’d love to be on it if he wanted it. So I guested on the song and we made a video together, but we haven’t actually met as yet."
Most recently, Sting – whose real name is Gordon Sumner – released a duet with Melody Gardot.
The 35-year-old singer – who will release her fifth album ‘Sunset In The Blue’ on October 23 – teamed up with the ‘Fields of Gold’ star on her track ‘Little Something’, which was released earlier this month.
She said: "During these complicated times, collaboration is the only saving grace for us musicians.
"I was so surprised and then to find out it was a duet with Sting!
"While I recognise it is a big switch from my usual musical genre, I loved having the chance to challenge myself with something new… That’s what music is all about."
Although the two musicians have met in the past – and Melody is a big fan of Sting – this is the first time they’ve worked together.
The track was written by their mutual guitarist Dominic Miller, who created the song specifically with the duo in mind.
Sting added: "This new song – co-written by my dear friend Dominic Miller – has a simple and infectious joy, and it was so much fun to trade vocals with the exquisite Melody Gardot.
"I hope you can hear the smile in our voices."