MUSIC NEWS - Crowded House leader Neil Finn will donate all the profits from his next album to international aid organization, Oxfam . And, the New Zealander is assembling an all-star cast of musicians, including members of Radiohead, Modest Mouse and Wilco , to complete the album at his recording studio in Auckland, NZ over Christmas Holiday and early in the new year. The project is a follow-up to the live album Seven Worlds' Collide , (2001) which featured music recorded at a series of concerts by Finn and musical guests in Auckland. Many of the same friends of Neil, such as former Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr and Radiohead's Ed O'Brien & Phil Selway , are involved in the new album, along with four members of US roots-rock group Wilco, including singer and songwriter Jeff Tweedy. Finn, who has performed concerts to raise money for Oxfam previously, said that supporting the aid organization would "make these sessions particularly meaningful". "The Seven Worlds Collide concerts were an amazing experience for all of us, and we're delighted to have found an opportunity to gather again, this time to expand the concept and the line-up." Of the new album Finn told the Herald (NZ newspaper); "It will be really intense," "We have got to pull off making an album in less than three weeks and that is a really big ask for anybody."

Additionally, Crowded House will tour Australia later this month for a few gigs.