The president of Michael Jackson's record label has confirmed that new music recorded by the star before his death will be released, but insisted that the process would not be rushed.

The 'Thriller' singer, who passed away on June 25, was understood to have spent several years working on new material for Epic Records with artists including Ne-Yo, Akon and will.i.am.

Speaking to BBC 6 Music, Amanda Ghost said: "I have no idea when it's coming out, but it will come out on Sony/Epic. We haven't made any decisions because we just want to be respectful for his memory and not be seen in any way as trying to cash in.

"The appetite is definitely there (for new music)... If we do release anything of unreleased material, it has to be fantastic and it can't damage in any way his legacy or his legend and I won't let that happen at Epic."

It was previously suggested that Jackson had been working on an instrumental composition, while will.i.am has claimed that he will "not leak" his recently recorded collaboration with the star.

(CRI July 10, 2009)