US star Prince to release two albums

PARIS - American pop star Prince will release two new albums at the end of next month, his record label said on Tuesday, marking the end of one of the longest-running employment disputes in musical history.

Prince, 56, fell out with Warner Bros Records in the early 1990s, prompting him to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol and appear in public with the word "slave" daubed across his face.

The name change bewildered fans and led the press to dub him "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince".

But following a reconciliation with Warner Bros Records announced earlier this year, two albums - Art Official Age and Plectrumelectrum - will be released on Sept 30, the label said.

Art Official Age is a 13-track solo album, described by the label as "a contemporary concoction of soul, R&B and funk".

The second is by Prince's new band 3RDEYEGIRL consisting of guitarist Donna Grantis, drummer Hannah Ford Welton and bassist Ida Nielsen.

Many of its tracks were performed live on the group's recent mini-tour.