March 21, 2000 9:00

JAMES LAVELLE IN SEXY BEAST SHOCK!

[b]Mo'Wax[/b] boss writing soundtrack for new Brit flick...

JAMES LAVELLE, MO'WAX boss and one half of UNKLE, is in the process of writing a soundtrack for a new British gangster movie called 'SEXY BEAST', nme.com can reveal.

Lavelle, who has been the head of Mo'Wax records since its conception, and who put together the UNKLE project, will write the score in collaboration with film director Jonathan Glazer. Glazer is perhaps best known for his work on the video for the UNKLE single, 'Rabbit In Your Headlights' which featured Radiohead's Thom Yorke on vocals.

A spokesperson for Mo'Wax told nme.com that the soundtrack was finished last week and was very "dark" sounding. Lavelle worked with the Mo'Wax band South for the album.

Lavelle told the Radio 1 website: "It's about properly being able to work against the moods and emotions of the characters in the film. It was something that I've really enjoyed being able to do"

The film is slated for an Autumn release and stars Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley in the lead roles.