Contrary to recent popular reports, sources have denied that Amy Winehouse is recording the theme for the new Bond film, Quantum of Solace. She was spotted at Mark Ronson’s Oxfordshire studio, and elements of the press have concluded that she has been working on the track, although this could be based on nothing more than the film’s producer’s assertion that she has the “perfect voice” for a Bond theme. Even Paul McCartney thinks so, having touted her as ideal for the job a few weeks back.

It’s uncertain from which direction the buzz is coming. Are Amy’s people trying to persuade Bond chiefs to sign her up or is it the other way round. Whatever, it seems that a fair bit of hype juice is being consumed by the press, as per usual.
A representative for Winehouse stated “Amy has been in the studio working on songs for her new album with Mark Ronson. Recording for anything else is pure speculation.” The highly anticipated third album is expected to be released early in 2009, although other Amy news this week has it that her record label is far from happy about her well-publicised antics and are threatening to pull the plug on her deal unless she changes her ways...

The ultimatum from Universal came after the label’s European chief, Lucian Grainge, saw footage of her smoking crack cocaine. He talked to the star and advised her to go to rehab and change her ways if she wants to see the next album released. Despite entering rehab after the warning, she has fallen off the wagon numerous times since.
However, she appears to be hard at work on the new record with Ronson, and even scrapped plans to make it in the Bahamas, notorious for its wide availability of crack that led to the undoing of fellow musical junkies Happy Mondays.

Perhaps this is a sign of a maturing Amy, attempting to put her substance-fuelled past behind her. Whatever, it’s hard to imagine Universal actually releasing their most lucrative act from her deal, but let’s hope she heeds the warning and gets back to doing what she does best.