Just got off the phone with my source, thought I would update you guys. As of right now there are no breaking developments with the new album.
-Sony is waiting on the estate to finalize the tracklist.
-McClain is mostly in charge I'm told, and his team is going through the tracks trying to create a perfect album. (as perfect as you can get with out-takes and unreleased songs)
-Work has begun on the booklet with some pictures being selected.
-Sony is still deciding on what to do with these 12 songs founded last month that are not part of the deal. I'm told a deal could be made for them as early as next week or sometime in June. Apparently Sony is still going through the tracks which are being presented by Cascio. Some of the songs are "very MJ", written and composed solely by him with others co-written. While these tracks are not global smash hits, they are more for MJ fans with personal elements sprinkled all through the song. There are 12 100% completed songs. Considering how MJ's fan base has grown since his death, Sony is betting the songs will be hits but is approaching the purchase very carefully.
-I am told news of the songs will be made more public soon with a potential bidding war heating up. Cascio I am told is shopping around going to Universal, and even Live Nation as well as Sony looking for the best offer. If Sony wins, expect some of these tracks to hit the new album in November.
-The estate is aiming to have 10-12 songs on the new album still with a HUGE marketing campaign that is set to include a "phenomenal" internet presence, television ads, billboards, magazine ads, and other artists promoting it through television appearances, etc.