Jackson posts album online

LONDON, UK (BBC) - Michael Jackson fans will be getting a sneak preview of his long-awaited album as it is made available online for just 24 hours. And to celebrate the release, the popstar will also be logging on for an exclusive webchat.

Invincible is in the shops from Monday but Jackson is posting the entire album on the internet for a 24 hour period in what is being billed as a "listening party".
Internet users will be able to log on from 1700 (BST) to hear the tracks being played for the first time at his official website. And at midnight (BST) Jackson himself will join fans for his first ever audio and text web chat.

Jackson's first single release, You Rock My World, was recently held off the number one spot by Kylie Minogue, despite a massive publicity campaign and a multi-million dollar video.

Eccentric

Invincible is Jackson's first album of original material since the 1991 release Dangerous and has cost a reported $30m (�21m). Delays occurred when Jackson was forced to choose the final 16 tracks from a total of 60 he had recorded.

Although his Thriller album is the biggest selling long-player of all time, critics are concerned that after such a long break he will no longer be the record industry's dream ticket.

There is now a generation of younger music fans who only know him for his eccentric, reclusive behaviour, so he can longer rely on his past successes to impress them.
But his profile was recently boosted by younger stars such as Britney Spears and 'NSync performing at a tribute concert to celebrate his 30 years as a solo artist.