Sting is recording a Songs for Tibet album with a host of other music stars.
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The Police frontman joins artists including John Mayer, Dave Matthews and Alanis Morissette to lend his talent to the collection of songs.
The LP will highlight Tibet’s struggle to be recognised as an autonomous state separate from China and will be released just days before the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games begins in August.
Michael Wohl – a spokesperson for the Art of Peace Foundation, which is compiling the album – said: “We wanted to express our support for the Tibetan people and their message of peace through music, a fundamental means of expression, at a time when the eyes of the world are on China.”
The non-profit organisation, which supports Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, is behind the project.
Other artists to contribute include Moby, Garbage Rush, Suzanne Vega, Imogen Heap, Damien Rice, Underworld and Duncan Sheik.
Album producer Rupert Hine said: “The commitment and enthusiasm from such a wide group of artists has been astonishing and truly heartfelt. It’s been exciting orchestrating such a historic project.”
The album will have a global release on music website iTunes on 5 August. A full CD release will follow on 12 August.
China has controversially ruled Tibet since 1951. As many as 250 people were reportedly killed during a crackdown on Tibetan protesters in March this year that resulted in widespread rioting against the Chinese government.
