New Winehouse album could be her last, family says

Amy Winehouse's family will not release any more of the singer's unheard music unless it is "comparable" with her earlier hit records.

The star's father, Mitch, said it was a difficult decision to release the new album, which features outtakes, two completely new songs and a demo, in time for this Christmas.

"The family view was nothing was going to go out unless it was comparable to Frank or Back to Black. If it wasn't as good as that then we wouldn't have allowed it to go out," he said.

Winehouse said sitting down to listen to the album, called Lioness: Hidden Treasures, was hard.

"On one hand it was very difficult for us to listen to the album, on the other hand we had to do it to ensure the quality was as it should be," he said.

He was speaking ahead of an auction for a dress worn by his daughter on the front of her Back To Black album to raise funds for the foundation set up in her memory.

"It's poignant, extremely poignant to me and sad in one way because obviously the dress shouldn't be here, Amy should be here," he said.

"That is something I have to come to terms with and there are good days and there are bad days. Today is a good day because we're going to be raising money for the foundation.''

He said the first donations had been given to each of three charities and the family was hoping to donate at least A$793,210.12 in the first year.

The dress, which will be sold by Kerry Taylor Auctions in central London on Tuesday, is estimated to sell for between A$15,864.20 and A$31,728.40.

Also included in the sale are dresses worn by Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor.

- AAP