NEW MICHAEL JACKSON'S ALBUM "XSCAPE" IN MAY

Epic Records have teamed up with the late King Of Pop’s estate to compile an album of previously unheard new tracks.

Epic Records have revealed that they have teamed up with the estate of the late King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, to release a new album, featuring previously unheard recordings by the US star.

The album, which is titled XScape, will be Michael Jackson’s first new studio album since Michael in 2010. The standard edition will contain eight new tracks, never before heard by the public, while a deluxe edition of the will include all of the original demo recordings of the tracks.

XScape will feature the work of producers such as Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jroc and John McClain, while L.A. Reid – founder of LaFace Records and current chairman of Epic – will serve as executive producer.

“Modern music and artistry would look and sound completely different if not for the ground-breaking contributionsMichael Jackson gifted to the world,” said Reid in an official press release. “We are extremely proud and honoured to present this music to the world.”

The album’s title is thought to reflect Michael’s naming process, which, according to Epic Records, revolves around using “edgy, one word titles”.

XScape’s global release date is set to be May 13, with pre-orders expected to be taken as early as tomorrow (Tuesday, April 1).

TIMBALAND PREVIEWS NEW MICHAEL JACKSON SONG

As the age old adage goes, greatness doesn’t die – it lives on and inspires. Hence, it’s little surprise that the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, continues to do just that five years after his sudden passing.With the assistance of MJ’s longtime label Epic Records and its present-day leader LA Reid, hitmaker Timbaland is currently hard at work on a project that will see previously unheard Jackson jams re-imagined for a modern audience.

So as to whet appetites, Timbo previewed a cut christened ‘Slave To The Rhythm’ as part of his Timbaland Thursdays series. Last Summer, a tragic version featuring the unworthy vocals of a certain Justin Bieber hit the interweb, however it appears the cut has been polished aplenty and sanitized of that nonsense.

BILLBOARD CHART HISTORY: MICHAEL JACKSON MOONWALKS TO NO. 1 WITH 'BILLIE JEAN'

This week in 1983, Jackson began a seven-week Hot 100 command with one of his signature songs.

March 5, 1983 
Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" began its seven-week command of the Billboard Hot 100, marking his longest reign of 13 No. 1s; "Black or White" would also rule for seven frames in 1991.

His 13 leaders remain the most among solo males in the chart's history. (The King of Pop also made four trips to the summit with the Jackson 5.)