LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Michael Jackson is working with red-hot producer will.i.am on the groundwork for Jackson's planned U.S. comeback album.
The Grammy-nominated will, who is part of the avant-garde group Black Eyed Peas, told Billboard.com he was talking to Jackson about mainly technical and Internet issues but assured that Jackson "still sings like a bird."
"I think we have a real opportunity to do something here," said will. "It's either going to be really big or nobody's going to care. Ain't no middle ground on this one."
No formal agreement has been reached that will place Jackson and will in the studio, Billboard.com said. Jackson hasn't released a new CD since 2001.
Will.i.am produced for Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Fergie and Nas in 2006.
Billboard said Chris Brown was also negotiating a producing role on the Jackson project.
