We’re thrilled to announce the release of Quincy’s new album, Soul Bossa Nostra, a dazzling confection of today’s top pop, R&B and hip-hop artists and producers coming together to celebrate Quincy’s musical legacy. The roster includes Usher, Ludacris, Akon, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, T-Pain, Robin Thicke, LL Cool J, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Wyclef Jean, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, Three 6 Mafia, David Banner, Bebe Winans, Mervyn Warren, Jermaine Dupri, DJ Paul, and Scott Storch, among others. To read the full press release on PR Newswire, please click here.

A “family celebration,” Soul Bossa Nostra will be released May/June, 2010. The first single from Soul Bossa Nostra, available March 24th, will be Akon’s interpretation of the 1977 Brothers Johnson classic “Strawberry Letter 23.” Quincy is “honored that everyone wanted to be a part of this celebration of these songs. They all made them their own, and knocked them out of the park.” He continues, saying, “Each of these songs had incredible artists and unique stories from when we originally recorded them. I think that these new interpretations will not only introduce these songs to a whole new generation of music fans, but inspire them to seek out the original recordings and show that these songs really stand the test of time…that’s the ultimate mark of a great tune.”

The album will also include Jennifer Hudson (produced by Scott Storch) performing acclaimed songwriter Rod Temperton’s “You Put A Move On My Heart,” from Jones’ 1996 album Q’s Jook Joint; Ludacris and Naturally 7 (produced by Naturally 7) on the title track “Soul Bossa Nostra,” a hip-hop revamp of Jones’ 1962 single “Soul Bossa Nova” which was re-born as the Austin Powers theme song and was sampled by Ludacris on his 2005 single “Number One Spot” for which he garnered a VMA; and Usher, Robin Thicke, LL Cool J, Tyrese and Tevin Campbell with Barry White’s original vocals (produced by Jermaine Dupri) on “Secret Garden,” originally recorded on 1989’s Back On The Block.

Commented singer/producer Akon, “Quincy Jones is a musical legend and an incredible mentor. Just being around him and watching him work over the years has taught me how to develop as an artist and grow as a producer. When Quincy called and told me about this album, I said you have to let me do “Strawberry Letter 23″ and the funny thing is that’s the song he was thinking about already. We brought a new modern feel to this classic and I think everyone’s going to really enjoy it.”

To read Billboard Music’s article on Soul Bossa Nostra, please click here. To read Entertainment Tonight’s article on Soul Bossa Nostra, please click here.

“Somos El Mundo” (the Spanish Version of “We Are the World”) debuted on Univision on Monday night to benefit Haiti and the song and video are currently available at iTunes.com/somoselmundo

This is the first time “We Are the World” has been authorized to be translated into another language. Featuring Shakira, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Luis Miguel, Vicente Fernandez, Gloria Estefan, and many more!

It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so as an SNL host alum, I’d like to say kudos to my friend Lorne Michaels and the cast of SNL for their interpretation of the “We Are The World – 25 for Haiti” recording session. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last 76 years, it’s that if you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re taking life way too seriously.

Most importantly, in its always irreverent way, SNL’s rendition is helping to keep media attention and the public’s consciousness on the devastation that occurred in Haiti. And while my thoughts and prayers also go out to the victims of the recent earthquake in Chile, the situation is Haiti remains extremely dire.

In Haiti, the TV cameras are beginning to leave and the rainy season is approaching. Shelter, food and medicines remain at an extraordinarily high premium and monies will continue to be needed to rebuild Haiti’s already shaky infrastructure. I have to look no further than to my close friend Dr. Allen Counter who just returned from Haiti and told me that there are still amputations happening on the street with Motrin and hacksaws to know the urgent need of the Haitian people.

“We Are the World” was created for this exact moment – to show the world the power of the collective to overcome adversity. I hope the song – whether it’s the original; the remake; the thousands of user-generated video responses on our YouTube channel; the Spanish version that Emilio Estefan is debuting tonight on Univision; one of the alternate-language versions we’re doing in the year ahead that we haven’t yet announced; or your own version – bring us together to help our fellow man in his time of need – whether that’s for Haiti, Chile, Katrina, or another time we need to “heed a certain call.” — Quincy Jones

Somos El Mundo (the Spanish version of “We Are the World”) will debut tonight on Univision at 10pm on the Cristina Show. For more information, visit www.somoselmundo.org