To celebrate the Back to Black singer's birthday the Amy Winehouse Foundation have announced details to release a new compilation album promoting musicians who have benefited from the Amy's Yard program.
"The Amy Winehouse Foundation gave me focus and drive, their patience allowed me to express myself by giving me a foundation. Their encouragement made me want to shine," London artist Zodiac explained via NME. Amy's Yard aims to mentor and assist 18 to 25-year-old Londoners to "overcome personal obstacles and produce extraordinary music." While Amy's Yard was launched two years ago, the Amy Winehouse Foundation was created following the 27-year-old singer's death in September of 2011.
"The project sees young people with a musical talent mentored to become self-sustaining music artists. They are given time in Amy's own studio and are guided by producer Urban Monk who has worked with the likes of Giggs, Wiley, Plan B, Ghetts, Lily Allen and Mr Hudson," a press release notes.
The 10-track album released in conjunction with Island Records will mark the fourth active year of the Amy Winehouse Foundation. "It's really gratifying to know that Amy continues to influence and inspire young people through her life and music," Darcus Beese of Island Records said. "The Foundation does a fantastic job in keeping Amy's spirit alive by offering hope and opportunity to young people who are struggling in life and it's an honour for Island Records to help these emerging talents get their music heard."
NEWS: The Amy Winehouse Foundation store is live - you can purchase exclusive merchandise & artwork @amysfoundation https://t.co/tNEeUynpXR
— Amy Winehouse (@amywinehouse) October 30, 2013
The Asif-Kapadia directed film, Amy, explored the life, quick rise to fame and ultimate death of the "Rehab" singer. Although it's gathered wide-spread acclaim, the singer's father, Mitch Winehouse, and former fiancé Reg Traviss, were displeased with the way the film was crafted. After painting Mitch in a negative life and failing to detail Traviss' relationship with his former fiancé, the duo decided to team up and plan their own Amy documentary.
The album will drop on September 18, just four days before what would've been Winehouse's 32nd birthday.
