http://www.billboard.com/...id=1078997

Prince Unveils 'Rainbow Children'

Eccentric pop superstar Prince is set to release his latest album, "The Rainbow Children," on Oct. 17 as an Internet download available only to members of his NPG Music Club. In April, the artist made the album track "The Work--Pt. 1" available to users of Napster for free download.

"The Rainbow Children" was also aired in its entirety to Club members and other Prince fans at his Paisley Park Studios in Minneapolis this past June, during a week-long gala event titled Prince: A Celebration.

The NPG Music Club, which was started in February, offers members exclusive music, videos, VIP access to concerts, and more for an annual premium fee. Fans can sign up as well as get more information about the new album at Prince's official Web site.

"The Rainbow Children" will be Prince's first all-new studio set since 1999's "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic," (Arista), released under the symbol the artist utilized as his name until last year. A greatest hits collection, "The Very Best of Prince," released on Warner Bros. in August, debuted at No. 66 on The Billboard 200.

-- Troy Carpenter, N.Y.