Preorder new Michael Jackson album due in December

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A year after Michael Jackson's death, a posthumous album of songs he recorded over the last few years has been collected by the late artist's estate into an album to be released by Epic/Sony Records, according to a brief announcement on November 4.

This new music, which Jackson was writing and recording along with collaborators in studios from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, has been completed for release on December 14. It is entitled Michael.

On Friday, November 5, a teaser for the project will be unveiled on the official Michael Jackson website, where the album can be pre-ordered for a 24-hour period.

The first single, "Breaking News," will be premiered on Monday, November 8 on the site. The never-before-heard song, recorded at a friend's home in New Jersey in 2007, will be streamed online for one week.

The album cover features the oil painting of artist Kadir Nelson spotlighting moments in Jackson's career. Jackson died in June 2009, at age 50, when preparing for comeback tour dates in London.

This posthumous album is the first collection of new material by the artist since Invincible in 2001.

The soundtrack to the This Is It film is a greatest hits collection and covers the tour rehearsals, with one new track - the title song. The concert album topped charts worldwide as did the performer's previous recordings.

Among other Jackson projects just announced, the "Michael Jackson Immortal Tour" will be launched next year by Cirque du Soleil and feature his music and choreography.

Also, a Jackson-themed dance videogame, Michael Jackson The Experience, will be released on November 23. The game allows four players to master the moonwalk and other moves with 26 hits, including "Beat it," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller." It is available for Wii, Nintendo and other formats.

http://www.michaeljackson.com

RC