Michael Jackson fans got the news they were waiting for Thursday: the “King of Pop’s” first studio album in six years – one that reportedly cost a record-setting $30 million to make – will be released in late October.
“Invincible,” released on Sony Music’s Epic Records label, is slated to hit stores internationally on Oct. 29 and in the United States and Canada on Oct. 30, the label said. Sony Music is a unit of Sony Corp.
“The release of this new album is a global event,” said Epic Records Group Chairman Dave Glew. “As a singer, composer, producer, arranger and musician, Michael Jackson is one of the most talented and influential artists in the history of recorded music,” he said.
Music industry sources have said the eccentric star took far longer than expected to produce the album. Jackson recorded an estimated 50 tracks with some the most expensive producers in the business to ultimately choose about 15 of his best songs. The price tag of the album totaled $30 million, according to reports.
An Epic spokesman was not immediately available to comment.
The first single, “You Rock My World,” was produced and written by Jackson and Rodney Jerkins.
With high hopes the album will resurrect Jackson’s sagging career, the pop star has also scheduled a concert in New York City’s Madison Square Garden this September featuring more than 30 stars, including Whitney Houston, Ricky Martin and Britney Spears as well as a reunion with his five brothers.
It will be the Jackson brothers’ first performance together since their 1984 “Victory” tour and has been billed as a highlight of two all-star concerts to celebrate Jackson’s 30 years as a solo artist.
For a while, the reunion performance with his brothers was thrown into doubt after two siblings – Jermaine and Randy – complained publicly about “exorbitant ticket prices” being charged for the event.
Tickets for the Sept. 7 and Sept. 10 shows at Madison Square Garden are reportedly commanding up to $2,500.
Organizers Thursday said the two shows would feature all six Jackson brothers singing a medley of their Motown and Epic Records hits.
Jackson’s sister Janet, a star in her own right, apparently can not make the reunion because she will be on tour, according to the reunion tour spokesperson.