New Amy Winehouse Album Set for December Release

How's this for bittersweet? A new album by the late Amy Winehouse will be released on December 5. Lioness: Hidden Treasures will contain 12 previously unreleased tracks, alternate versions of existing hits as well as brand new songs.

 Island Records also said her longtime musical partners Mark Ronson and Salaan Remi poured over recordings by their late friend and singer and realized they have "a collection of songs that deserved to be heard, a collection of songs that were a fitting testament to Amy the artist and, as importantly, Amy their friend."  The statement also indicated the family gave their thumbs up to release the album. "If the family had felt that this album wasn't up to the standard of Frank and Back to Black we would never have agreed to release it and we believe it will stand as a fitting tribute to Amy's musical legacy."  Her father, Mitch Winehouse, said he hadn't previously heard of another track, "Halftime," and said it was "just incredibly beautiful." According to the Associated Press, Amy's final recording was a duet with Tony Bennett and yes, their song, "Body and Soul," will be included in the upcoming album.  One pound (equivalent to roughly $1.60) from the sale of each album in the U.K. will go to a foundation set up in Amy's name after her death. The foundation assists disadvantaged children and young adults.