R&B stars ask voters to Wake Up

Rap and R&B stars Mary J Blige, Missy Elliot and Eve are recording a song to encourage voters away from President Bush in the run-up to the US election.

The trio are re-recording the 1960s hit Wake Up Everybody, which was used during the 1976 election to mobilise black voters to back Jimmy Carter.

It will feature on a benefit album for America Coming Together, a campaign group promoting a change of president. Songs by Marvin Gaye, Linda Rondstadt and Yoko Ono will also be on the album.

Wake Up Everybody was originally a hit for Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes and has been used by Democrats on a number of occasions.