Esprit International Limited (Eil.com) have announced the UK release of ‘The Jacksons Original Album Classics’ (Sony BMG; catalogue number: 88697304722) for June 16, 2008.

This is a 5-CD album set comprising of the album releases ‘Jacksons’, ‘Goin Places’, ‘Destiny’, ‘Triumph’, and ‘Victory’. Each album is housed in a mini-LP style card picture sleeve with the complete set presented in a card slipcase.

Click Here for details.

Source: Eil.Com

This week, the British tabloid The Sun published an article claiming that Michael canceled a performance on ‘American Idol’ just 24 hours before the show due to stage fright. The story was repeated by media organizations worldwide.

On Friday, ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell appeared on the BBC Radio 2 ‘Steve Wright In The Afternoon’. Asked about the rumour he said that those rumours are not true:

“Not true, not true. We hear those rumours all the time.”

Cowell also stated that they would be happy to have Michael Jackson on the show some time.

Click Here for an audio of the show.

Source: BBC Radio 2

Jeff Koons (53) is considered to be one of the most influential living contemporary artists. On Saturday, he opens his first major exhibition in the USA after 15 years at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. The exhibition will run through September 21, 2008.

The retrospective show will feature about 60 paintings and sculptures spanning Koons’ career from 1979 through 2007. One highlight is a 1988 porcelain sculpture of the King of Pop and his pet chimpanzee, called “Michael Jackson and Bubbles.”

In an interview to the Associated Press Koons said about this art:

“Objects are metaphors of people. All the works are like children, you really put a lot of thought and care into them.

The core of my work is to have transcendence in life. You have to first be able to accept yourself. Then you can take a journey which leads you to the acceptance of others.”

Koons was a pioneer in his field in the 1980s, setting the stage for numerous other young artists. At the same time, he has an intense commercial appeal. Until May 2008, he held the record for the highest price paid at auction for a work by a living artist. His “Hanging Heart” sculpture fetched $23.6 million in November 2007. Many of the works on display in the Chicago exhibition are so valuable that they were uninsurable.

Source: Associated Press

‘Thriller’ has re-entered the Irish Album Chart this week at #91.

Source: IRMA

According to Global Track Chart, the official global hitlist compiled and provided by Media Traffic, ‘Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition’ drops 6 places #22 in the Global Album Chart this week with sales of more than 35,000.

The album has now sold more than 1,920,000 copies.

Source: Global Track Chart

‘Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition’ drops 7 places on the French Albums Chart at #43.

Source: Charts in France

RnB sensation Ne-Yo has confirmed he is working on pop legend Michael Jackson’s comeback album.

The So Sick singer, who has written hits for Rihanna and Beyonce Knowles, is now helping both Michael and Janet Jackson prepare new releases.

Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Smith, reveals working with the Thriller hitmaker is one of his most challenging jobs yet.

“I’m submitting songs for his new album. He’s being very selective; very picky, but he’s supposed to be. This is a going to be a really important album.”

Ne-Yo isn’t the first person to work with Jackson on his comeback album - will.i.am spent a large part of last year (07) in the studio with the pop superstar and Akon is rumoured to be part of the project as well.

Source: Showbiz Spy

Suleman Mirza (29) and Madhu Singh (34), who make up dance act ‘Signature’, have blown away the judges yet again on the UK talent show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ on TV channel ITV1.

The duo first got the judge’s (including Simon Cowell) attention a few weeks ago with their fabulous dance routine to Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ (for details see news item dated April 27, 2008, which also includes a video of that performance). This time the pair danced their way through to Saturdays final with their unique and spectacular performance of ‘Thriller.’

The unlikely dance duo gave ‘Thriller’ a Bollywood edge again, which judges agreed was one of the show’s most original performances. Judge Piers Morgan told them:

“You are two ordinary guys doing ordinary day jobs and by nights you do this crazy, crazy act.”

Simon Cowell added:

“This is one of the best acts because what you have is something so important – you have originality.”

Phone line votes were cast by the British public, putting through two acts to the final. The act with the most votes going through automatically and those in second and third places giving the judges the final decision. ‘Signature’ won with the most votes. Well done ‘Signature!’

The winners of the show will go on to perform in front of Prince Charles at this years Royal Variety Performance.

If you missed the performance, check out YouTube.

Source: ITV, MJFC-USA

‘Thriller 25th Anniversary’ drops 20 places on the UK Albums Chart this week to #73.

Source: BBC Radio 1

‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008′ drops 6 places in the Australian Physical Singles Chart at #44.

Source: ARIA