STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: It’s not the kind of...

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: It’s not the kind of team you’d expect, but blues-rock guitarist Eric Clapton has joined pop-soul balladeer Lionel Richie for a tune on Richie’s next album--which may not be out in time for Christmas, much to the reported dismay of his label, Motown, which hasn’t had an album from its superstar since 1983. But Clapton’s presence suggests the LP have more of a rock edge than the ballads generally associated with Richie.

Meanwhile, art-rock drummer-turned-mildly-funky-hitmaker Phil Collins--who produced Clapton last time out--is teaming up with Chaka Khan for a track on her next LP. Another track on the same record will include contributions from David Bowie, who apparently decided he liked working with torrid soul singers when he joined Tina Turner last year.

And, finally, local hard rockers Keel got a hand from Joan Jett, who dropped into one of the band’s recent recording sessions to add a guitar part to a tune called “Raised on Rock.” On hand for backing vocals were bandleader Greg Guiffra and journeyman rocker Michael Des Barres, who might have picked up some unflattering reviews, but also saw his own career revived when Power Station picked him to replace road-shy Robert Palmer. In the wake of his stint fronting that band, Des Barres--late of Los Angeles’ own Chequered Past--has signed a deal for a solo album. The album, he says with a laugh, will be a “Chequered Station” record.