Winehouse duet with Tony Bennett to be charity single

(AFP/Ed Jones)

A duet recorded by Amy Winehouse and music legend Tony Bennett shortly before the British singer's death will be released as a charity single with proceeds going to a foundation set up by her father.

The pair recorded jazz classic "Body and Soul" at London's famous Abbey Road studios in March. It was one of the last songs Winehouse recorded before her death on July 23.

The song was intended for Bennett's upcoming album "Duets II" but will now be released as a single on September 20 with royalties going to Mitch Winehouse's anti-drugs charity, according to the 85-year-old singer.

"What's going to happen is that we're putting that (Body and Soul) out ahead of the album," Bennett told MTV.

"It's going to a foundation that her father started, to teach all the young children not to take drugs, and all the royalties of the record will go to that," added the US crooner.

Mitch Winehouse said in a statement that he "couldn't be happier".

"Amy was so excited to be working with Tony Bennett and really looking forward to her fans hearing this new recording," he added.

"The fact that Amy's voice is sounding as amazing and beautiful as ever and she is singing with the great Tony Bennett seems the most fitting tribute of all at this very difficult time."

Winehouse's father went to the British parliament on Monday to plead for more state-funded drug rehabilitation centres as his family waits for toxicology test results on the singer's death.

Winehouse, 27, was found dead at her north London home on July 23. Her death remains unexplained, with toxicology test results due within the next three weeks, although it is not being treated as suspicious.

The soul singer's sultry vocal talents were often overshadowed by her drink and drug addictions, and her best-known single, "Rehab", detailed her troubles and reluctance to undergo rehabilitation treatment.