ERIC CLAPTON - CLAPTON AND CALE TEAM UP ON RECORD

ERIC CLAPTON has teamed up with JJ CALE for the first time on record after making hits of the blues great's tunes. Clapton enjoyed great success with Cale's COCAINE and AFTER MIDNIGHT and now he has recorded 11 of his hero's tunes with the blues king himself. The new album, THE ROAD TO ESCONDIDO, will also feature new tracks written by Clapton and JOHN MAYER, who also appears on the album. Cale and Clapton agreed to work on record after performing together at the British star's 2004 Crossroads guitar festival in Dallas, Texas. Clapton says, "This was the realisation of what may have been my last ambition - to work with the man whose music has inspired me for as long as I can remember." The album, which is due for release in November (06), will be dedicated to the late BILLY PRESTON, who contributed keyboards throughout the recording.