Sound Check: Janet, Michael, More
March 2 -- ACTION JACKSONS: Though her brother's album was making headlines much earlier, Janet Jackson's next album, tentatively titled All for You, will easily beat Michael's long-awaited effort to the stores. Virgin Records says it's due April 24, with a single of the same name hitting radio this month. Michael's album, meanwhile, has been pushed back from its June release, and both Santana and Prince have been named as possible guests on songs.
AS SEEN ON TV: Destiny's Child previewed the upcoming single "Survivor" — which singer Beyoncé Knowles said is inspired by the show of the same name — in a performance Wednesday night at the Soul Train Awards. The performance will be televised in syndication Saturday night. The album of the same name, meanwhile, is set to come out May 1.
O COME ALL YE: Folky singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull is drawing on big-name support for an upcoming album, according to British music mag NME. Former head Pumpkin Billy Corgan, who will perform with her at a March charity gig, is said to be working with her, as is Beck and former Eurythmic Dave Stewart.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PUFFY: Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs teamed with spiritual advisor Hezekiah Walker to record Thank You, a gospel LP that includes guest appearances from Carl Thomas, Mario Winans, Brian McKnight, Mary Mary, Kelly Price, and Brandy. The 15-track album is due June 5 from Bad Boy and Arista Records.
BACK IN BLACK: Country legend Johnny Cash, recently hospitalized with a recurring health problem, was released Feb. 21, the same day he won a Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. He plans a quick return to the studio, according to a note from his daughter on johnnycash.com, to record a follow-up to American III: Solitary Man.
LOWDOWN ON HI-TEK: DJ Hi-Tek, who teamed with Black Star rapper Talib Kweli on last year's Reflection Eternal will release his solo debut, Hiteknology on April 17, according to Rawkus Records.
NOT QUITE NEW: A trio of albums, originally recorded in the '70s, from German eletro-rock duo Neu! will be released Stateside for the first time on May 1 through Astralwerks Records. A self-titled album, Neu! 2, and Neu! 75 are considered groundbreaking for their use of electronic instrumentation in rock.
