Michael Jackson recorded last album over voice mail

London, (ANI): Michael Jackson recorded his last album on voice mail, it has emerged. The late King of pop was so paranoid about new material being leaked online, he sang the songs for his first album since 2001's 'Invincible" over a mobile phone directly to his producers. "A large chunk of the album came from voice mails," the Sun quoted a source as saying.

"Michael was certain that the new stuff would get out, so he decided to sing lyrics down the phone. After Michael's death last year, there were question marks over whether the messages would be able to be used. Record bosses were worried whether it would come off at all. Luckily it did, but it hasn't been an easy process," the source said.

Sony has spent a fortune analysing the tracks to make sure they are genuine. They have also spent about 5 million pounds buying them from a series of people who claimed co-writing credits. Jacko had been working on the collection for two years prior to his death in June last year, recording parts in LA, Las Vegas and New Jersey.

The first single from the album - called 'Michael", out on December 13 and sure to be the Christmas No 1 - was released online yesterday. The track is called 'Breaking News" - but the real breaking news is that it sounds like Britney Spears' hit 'Piece Of Me".