New Michael Jackson album "has to be fantastic"

Michael Jackson's London residency was due to start this month.
Michael Jackson's London residency was due to start this month. (Image credit: STR/epa/Corbis)

Michael Jackson's record label has commented on speculation that it may release some of the star's previously unheard music.

Speaking to BBC 6 Music about the album Jackson was working on prior to his death, Amanda Ghost, the head of Epic US said: "I have no idea when it's coming out, but it will come out on Epic. We haven't made any decisions because we just want to be respectful for his memory and not be seen in any way as trying to cash in."

When asked about the prospect of new songs, though, Ghost admitted that "the appetite is definitely there," before adding: "If we do release any of the unreleased material, it has to be fantastic, it can't in any way damage his legacy or his legend. I won't let that happen at Epic".

Jackson fell out with Sony Music, Epic's parent company, when he accused them of failing to properly promote his 2001 album Invincible. However, Ghost claims that he still planned to release his new album on the label.

It's been widely reported that Jackson was working on songs with the likes of Will.I.Am, Ne-Yo and Akon in the final months of his life.

(Via BBC 6 Music)

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.