Michael Jackson to record song for hurricane relief

LOS ANGELES - Pop star Michael Jackson, who has been in seclusion since his acquittal on sex abuse charges, has written a song that he will record to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina, his publicist said.

Jackson will record the single, "From the Bottom of My Heart," within two weeks, and he plans to enlist other entertainers for the project, spokeswoman Raymone Bain said.

"It pains me to watch the human suffering taking place in the Gulf region of my country," Jackson, 47, said in a written statement. "My heart and prayers go out to every individual who has had to endure the pain and suffering caused by this tragedy."

He added: "I will be reaching out to others within the music industry to join me in helping bring relief and hope to these resilient people who have lost everything."

The faded pop idol, who left his Neverland Valley Ranch in California for Bahrain after his acquittal on child molestation charges in June, will record the song on a label owned by Bahrain's crown prince, and donate the proceeds to hurricane victims.

Bain said Jackson was hoping to repeat the success he had with "We Are the World," a 1985 charity single with dozens of the era's top recording stars that raised more than US$60 ($85.61) million for Africa. Jackson wrote the song with singer Lionel Richie.

- REUTERS