Happy Mondays to release new album

08/02/2006 3:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Dotmusic

The Happy Mondays are recording their first new album in almost 15 years, according to reports.

The Madchester legends are apparently working on a follow-up to Yes Please, almost 15 years since the album was released and the group disintegrated.

U2/Bjork producer Howie B is reported to be mixing the currently untitled album, which has been produced by hip-hop figure Sunny Levine.

Speaking to the BBC yesterday, Howie B explained: "Sunny has done a fantastic job getting the best out of the band. [Frontman] Shaun [Ryder] is writing about what he's always written about--whatever's happening in his life, really. His health, drugs, the weather. In fact, there's a beautiful song about the weather that he's written and it's a classic."

He continued: "It's a mental project. It's really exciting, quite incredible. It's Shaun back on it. Shaun's a diamond. He's singing well, he's rapping well, his lyrics are just right on it. His language, which was always unique, has got even better. And he looks great. I wouldn't say he looks sexy, but he looks great."