The Shins, James Mercer and Danger Mouse Collaborate

Hip hop don Danger Mouse has teamed up with The Shins frontman James Mercer for a new album.

Danger Mouse is fond of collaboration. The producer with the big hair found fame after the internet led success of 'The Grey Album' - a mash up of The Beatles and Prince. Since then the producer has found fame with Gnarls Barkley as well as working with The Black Keys and a host of others. A recent multi-media project was nixed due to record label complaints over the dense array of guest stars. 'Dark Night Of The Soul' was the result of sessions with Sparklehorse, inviting a host of star names along for the ride. Due to be released as part of an ambitious multi-media project the album was pulled after label interference.

Now Danger Mouse has hit back with a new project. Together with The Shins singer James Mercer the pair have been constructing an ambitious album's worth of material. Rumoured last month, the news has now been confirmed by both parties. The duo are known as Broken Bells with their debut long player due to be released through Columbia on March 9th next year. The pair have taken it in turns to record every part on the album, with string arrangements by handled by composer Daniele Luppi. Not much else has been revealed about the project, which comes as James Mercer enjoys a new bout of freedom.

The Shins recently departed from their label Sub Pop to form their own imprint. Set to work on new material, singer James Mercer has taken time out to work with Danger Mouse.

Danger Mouse / James Mercer are due to release their debut album 'Broken Bells' on March 9th.

source: ClashMusic.com