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Michael Jackson Re-Releasing "Thriller," Avoiding Bahrain

By 
October 18, 2007 1:03 PM ET

Hoping to resuscitate his sputtering career, Michael Jackson is reportedly returning to a reliable source: his own 1982 album Thriller. According to reports, Jackson plans to spruce up the 25th anniversary addition of the album by adding four remixes of Thriller tracks. Those lending a helping sequined gloved hand on the remixes for "Wanna Be Startin' Something," "The Girl Is Mine," "Billie Jean," and "P.Y.T." are Kanye West, Akon, and Will.i.am. Additionally, Jackson's music attorney Peter Lopez says four leftover tracks from the Thriller sessions will be featured. One of the songs, "Don't Be Messin' Around," is hyped as "killer" by Jacko's ex-producer Bruce Swedien. MJ might need the Thriller re-release to have similar success of the original, record-breaking release: Bahrain's Prince Abdulla is allegedly suing Jackson for reneging on a contract that would have had Jackson release two albums, write an autobiography and produce a Broadway-esque show by the year 2012. After Jackson signed the contract in 2005, the Prince created 2Seas Records, built a studio and gave Jackson a $7 million advance. Jackson repaid the Prince by promptly leaving the country for Japan and never returning to the Mideast nation. In the lawsuit, Prince Abdulla is seeking to reclaim the advance he paid Jackson.

Related Stories:
•Will.i.am On Working With Michael Jackson: "We're Taking It Day By Day"
•Michael Jackson Behind Bars
•Inside Michael Jackson's Wacko Vegas Fire Sale

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