Backstreet Boy Nick Carter will release his debut solo set, Now or Never, on Jive Records October 22nd. The album will be the first full-scale solo breakout from any member of the two major boy bands -- the BSBs and 'N Sync -- but it likely will be followed closely by a set from 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake, who has been recording with the Neptunes, Alicia Keys and Timbaland.

Carter -- who with the rest of his bandmates is preparing to record a follow-up to the 2000 set Black and Blue -- will tour behind his solo release, though no dates have been confirmed.

AUGUSTIN SEDGEWICK
(July 30, 2002)