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  • Eric Clapton has teamed up with ex-girlfriend Sheryl Crow (how awkward was that?) to produce his first album in five years, aptly and briefly titled Clapton.

    The guitar god’s label, Reprise Records, will release the album Sept. 28. The album retails for $18 but you can pre-order it through TheImproper from Amazon.com for $12.99 and save 32 percent. Click the button on the left of the page below to order.

    Clapton is the rock guitarist’s 19th solo studio album. Besides Crow and former Blind Faith bandmate Steve Winwood will contribute.

    Others adding their sounds include jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, New Orleans R&B icon Allen Toussaint and Derek Trucks, guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band.


    Backing up the guitar virtuoso, a three-time inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will be legendary JJ Cale, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Willie Weeks and keyboardist Walt Richmond, according to the artist’s Web site.

    Clapton produced the 14-track set with longtime collaborator Doyle Bramhall II.

    The collection touches on everything from century-old traditional brass bands to little-known country blues to brand-new originals.

    The result is both relaxed and revelatory, and unlike anything the guitarist has done in his legendary career, according to a statement.

    “It’s an eclectic collection of songs that weren’t really on the map — and I like it so much because if it’s a surprise to the fans, that’s only because it’s a surprise to me, as well,” Clapton said in the statement.

    His previous solo release, Back Home, debuted in September 2005 at No. 13 on the pop charts, with 59,000 copies sold. His album before that, 2001’s Reptile, debuted at No. 5, selling 102,000 copies.

    In 2006, he teamed with J.J. Cale for “The Road to Escondido,” which debuted at No. 34 with 43,000 copies.

    Clapton and Crow had a brief affair in the late 1990s, and she reportedly wrote her song “My Favorite Mistake” about him.

    They have remained friends and have played together since their breakup.