Epic Records have announced the release of a new Michael Jackson album, due for release this December.

The album, simply titled ‘Michael’, will feature material that the 'Thriller' star was working on before he died of a prescription drug overdose last year.

In a statement, Epic records said: “The creative process never stopped for the King of Pop who was always planning for his next album; unbeknownst to many fans around the world Michael Jackson was writing and recording songs continuously everywhere from a friend’s home in New Jersey to studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with a small group of handpicked collaborators”.

The artwork for the album was created by artist Kadir Nelson, who developed the regal oil painting to show some of the key moments in Jackson’s life.

Details are sparse so far with only the title, artwork and name of one track, ‘Breaking News’ known.

‘Michael’ is to be released on December 14, 2010.

Watch the 2010 Grammy Awards tribute to Michael Jackson below: