Jackson cuts ties with Persian Gulf label

MANAMA, Bahrain, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Despite a statement that the Two Seas label would release Michael Jackson's newest album, the U.S. pop singer has parted ways with the Persian Gulf group.

The BBC said that Jackson had severed all ties with the musical label he reportedly started with Abdulla Hamad Al-Khalifa, a member of the Bahrain royal family, and will likely release his new album under his own Michael Jackson Company label.

The new album, the singer's first since 2001, is said to allow Jackson to reunite with "Remember the Time" producer Teddy Riley and is tentatively scheduled for a 2007 release.

Two Seas said that it had never formalized any deal with Jackson, who has been living in the Middle East since 2005 when he was acquitted of child abuse charges in California. A representative for the singer could not confirm any reports surrounding the new album.