Jackson posts album online

Britney Spears performed a tribute to Jackson

Michael Jackson fans have been given a sneak preview of his long-awaited album as it was made available online for just 24 hours.

And to celebrate the release, the popstar also took part in an exclusive webchat.

Invincible goes on sale from Monday but Jackson posted the entire album on the internet for a 24-hour period on Friday in what was billed a "listening party".

Jackson took part in a benefit concert to raise money for the victims of the US attacks

Internet users were able to log on from 1700 (BST) to hear the tracks being played for the first time at his official website.

And at midnight (BST) Jackson himself joined fans for his first ever audio and text web chat.

Jackson's first single release, You Rock My World, was recently held off the number one spot by Kylie Minogue, despite a massive publicity campaign and a multi-million dollar video.

Eccentric

Invincible is Jackson's first album of original material since the 1991 release Dangerous and has cost a reported $30m (£21m).

Delays occurred when Jackson was forced to choose the final 16 tracks from a total of 60 he had recorded.

Although his Thriller album is the biggest selling long-player of all time, critics are concerned that after such a long break he will no longer be the record industry's dream ticket.

There is now a generation of younger music fans who only know him for his eccentric, reclusive behaviour, so he can longer rely on his past successes to impress them.

But his profile was recently boosted by younger stars such as Britney Spears and 'NSync performing at a tribute concert to celebrate his 30 years as a solo artist.