Timbaland plans mobile-only album

Timbaland has produced hits for Missy Elliot and Jay-Z

Producer Timbaland has announced plans to make the first ever album available as a mobile download only, according to US music magazine Billboard.

The star will release one track with a different artist every month for subscribers of the entertainment service of US phone network Verizon.

Speaking to Billboard, he said: "Just producing a mobile album has never been done. I'm the first to ever do it."

Each track will be released as a ring tone and full-length download.

'immediate' music

Timbaland said the deal would allow him to reach more fans because "every place don't get a CD [but] everybody has a mobile phone".

The star, who has produced hits for Missy Elliott, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake, was due to preview his latest track at a pre-Grammy party co-hosted by Verizon and People magazine.

The song features Mosley Music artist Keri Hilson and will be available within a few days.

Timbaland has not revealed who else he plans to work with.

"How I prepare for [the new album] is, I just do it, like any other album. The only difference is it's immediate," he said.

Verizon's digital music director Ed Ruth said the deal was a "marriage of promotional opportunity and a large distribution platform".

He added: "Our goal is to show the music industry that we're truly a viable distribution platform for them."