Adele ‘working with Whitney Houston’s producer Raphael Saadiq and John Legend”on new album

Adele is ­reportedly working with fellow singer John Legend and the late Whitney Houston’s former producer Raphael Saadiq on her highly-anticipated fourth album.

The musician, 32, has teamed up with some of the biggest names in the industry as she prepares to release her follow-up to 2015’s 25.

A source has claimed the Rolling in the Deep hitmaker is ‘pouring her heart and soul’ into upcoming project, which has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.  

The industry’s finest: Adele is ­reportedly working with fellow singer John Legend and the late Whitney Houston’s former producer Raphael Saadiq on her highly-anticipated fourth album

An insider told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Adele is ­pouring her heart and soul into this record, ­including how she feels post-divorce.

‘She’s been a fan of Raphael since she was a teenager and loves his back ­catalogue. She wants her next album to be full of soul, with a more eclectic sound.’

Raphael, 54, first rose to prominence as a member of the boyband Tony! Toni! Toné! in the 80s, and has since produced music for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Joss Stone and Solange Knowles.

One of the multi-instrumentalist’s biggest collaborations to date was with R&B icon Whitney when he wrote her 2001 hit track Fine.

Impressive: Raphael, 54, rose to fame as a member of the boyband Tony! Toni! Toné! in the 80s, and has since produced music for the likes of Mary J. Blige and Joss Stone (pictured in 2009)

Impressive: Raphael, 54, rose to fame as a member of the boyband Tony! Toni! Toné! in the 80s, and has since produced music for the likes of Mary J. Blige and Joss Stone (pictured in 2009)

Balancing act: John, 41, who is married to model Chrissy Teigen, has been keeping busy with his own music, having released his seventh studio album Bigger Love last month (pictured)

Balancing act: John, 41, who is married to model Chrissy Teigen, has been keeping busy with his own music, having released his seventh studio album Bigger Love last month (pictured)

John, 41, who is married to model Chrissy Teigen, has been keeping busy with his own music, having released his seventh studio album Bigger Love last month.

MailOnline has contacted Adele, John and Raphael’s representatives for further comment.

A source previously alleged the mother-of-one, who shares her son Angelo, seven, with ex-husband Simon Konecki, feels ‘alive’ following her split from the charity CEO, 46, and she’s excited about the prospect of releasing new music.

The award-winning superstar and her former partner ended their marriage last year, but Adele has found the process of making new music to be ‘almost like therapy’.

Past is behind her: A source previously alleged the mother-of-one, 32, feels 'alive' following her split from charity CEO Simon Konecki, 46 pictured in 2012)

Past is behind her: A source previously alleged the mother-of-one, 32, feels ‘alive’ following her split from charity CEO Simon Konecki, 46 pictured in 2012)

Pushed back: The musician originally intended to release her new album in September, but her manager recently confirmed it's been delayed due to COVID-19 (pictured in 2016)

Pushed back: The musician originally intended to release her new album in September, but her manager recently confirmed it’s been delayed due to COVID-19 (pictured in 2016)

They said: ‘She is definitely getting ready both mentally and physically to promote new music. It seems it will happen later this year. She talks about last year as a very difficult year, and she’s said in the past that creating new music is almost like therapy.’ 

The Tottenham native originally intended to release her new album in September, but her manager Jonathan Dickins recently confirmed it’s been delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

He said: ‘It isn’t coming in September, it’ll be ready when it’s ready. We’re all in the same boat, you’re doing stuff and then all of a sudden, the world stops.

‘It’ll come when it’s ready. I can’t put a date on that yet. We have music, but we’re still working.’

Adele later followed up on the statement as she urged an eager fan to be patient after they commented on her Instagram page: ‘Teaser? Albums coming out today???!!!! Tell me now!!!!’

Quick to put rumours to bed, Adele responded: ‘of course it’s not. Corona ain’t over. I’m quarantining. Wear a mask and be patient.’ 

Corona ain't over! Adele later followed up on her team's statement as she urged an eager fan to be patient on social media

Corona ain’t over! Adele later followed up on her team’s statement as she urged an eager fan to be patient on social media