Jackson "This Is It" album to sell at iTunes

Apple on Friday confirmed that Michael Jackson's "This Is It" music compilation will be available at online shop iTunes a day before the release of the compact disc version.

"We look forward to offering the new Michael Jackson album, as well as a digital-only EP with six previously unreleased tracks, providing fans a great way to get all of the new songs," Apple said in response to an AFP inquiry.

The iTunes Store will offer the "This Is It" album and have the song as part of a set, according to Apple.

Hours after the release of "This Is It" on the Internet earlier this month, singer/songwriter Paul Anka revealed that he co-wrote the song with Jackson in 1983 but was not given due credit on the new version.

The song also appeared to have had a previous incarnation as "I Never Heard," a single recorded 18 years ago by Puerto Rican R&B singer Safire and credited to Jackson and Anka.

Anka stressed the issue had quickly been "resolved," and that John McClain, a record producer named by Jackson as an executor, had assured him that the proceeds from the single would be split with Anka.

The new recording, arranged by McClain, features backing vocals by Michael's brothers and is played during the closing sequence of the documentary "Michael Jackson's This Is It" and featured on a two-disc CD set of the same name.

The album will go on sale later this month to coincide with the worldwide release of the movie on October 28.

The film will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place this year in London, Sony said.

Chronicling the months from March through June 2009, the film is drawn from more than 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show.

Jackson died on June 25 at age 50 after taking a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs.

(c) 2009 AFP