By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

It's been a good minute since we heard anything from neo-soul high priestess Jill Scott --on the music front.

This week, however, news surfaced about new projects that will give us more than what we bargained for from the platinum-selling Grammy Award winner affectionately known as "Jilly From Philly."

On Jan. 30, a concept opus, titled 'Collaborations,' is expected to retail featuring Scott's pairings with some of the biggest names in various genres of music. Tracks with rootsy rappers Mos Def ("Love Rain"), Common ("8 Minutes to Sunrise") and hip-hop newcomer Lupe Fiasco ("Daydreamin'") will be juxtaposed with collaborative efforts with R&B legends The Isley Brothers ("Said Enough"), and gospel superstar Kirk Franklin ("Kingdom Come").

14 tracks in all, 'Collaborations' will also feature remarkable recordings with smooth jazz superstars Al Jarreau and George Benson ("God Bless The Child") and Chris Botti ("Good Morning Heartache"), and recordings with Academy Award nominated hip-hop veteran Will Smith ("The Rain") and the legendary Sergio Mendes (with wiil.i.am) ("Let Me").

Songs with Hootie & The Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker ("Sometime I Wonder"), and underground neo-soul pioneer Eric Roberson ("One Time") also appear.

This conceptual project serves as a prelude of more to come. According to published reports, Scott's next studio album, to be titled 'The Real Thing,' is due out via Hidden Beach Recordings during the summer of 2007. That set's title track will be featured on a CD sampler that will be included with 'Collaborations.'