Sir Tom Jones has spoken about the influence Amy Winehouse has had on his music, as he prepares to release a new studio album.

Jones' forthcoming LP, '24 Hours', his first in fifteen years, is due for release in the UK in November.

And the singer has revealed that Winehouse has been a big inspiration behind the record.

"We've been thinking about this for a while, doing a retro sound but new," he told the Associated Press.

"And Amy Winehouse, she cracked it. When that album came out, my son called me right away and said, 'You know what we've been talking about? Listen to this'."

Jones's new record, which has been produced by Lily Allen collaborators Future Cut, features a song co-written with U2's Bono and The Edge.

The veteran entertainer, who's now 68, said the “fire” was still in him.

"Not to be an oldie, but a goodie. I want to be a contender,” he added.

(by Jason Gregory)