Album with Adam Lambert tunes expected this summer

[June 20, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Adam Lambert says an album of tunes he recorded before "American Idol" won't be anything like what he's planning now.

Songs recorded by Lambert before his rise on the popular Fox singing competition are slated to be released this summer on the album "On with the Show" from Hi Fi Recordings and Wilshire Records, beginning with the single "Want."

John Hecker, CEO of Hi Fi Recordings, said Friday that the tracks were recorded in 2007 and 2008. "We were presented with a business opportunity," said Hecker. "We accepted because Wilshire Records had a long working relationship with Adam, and it resulted in excellent music that they had the rights to. The music has an audience, and it deserves to be heard." Hecker said Wilshire Records approached Hi Fi Recordings about releasing the material earlier this year when Lambert was gaining success on the show. He said the album will feature 11 or 12 songs, many of which were co-written by Lambert. He described "On with the Show" as a "complete album" that would include mid- and up-tempo songs, ballads and rock tunes. Lambert inked a record deal with 19 Entertainment and RCA Recordings earlier this month after losing to Kris Allen on the finale. The 27-year-old rocker will work on that album while on the road with the show's finalists for the "Idols Live Tour," which starts July 5 in Portland, Ore. The untitled album from 19 and RCA is expected for release in the fall. "The work I did back then in no way reflects the music I am currently in the studio working on," Lambert said in a statement Friday. --- On the Net: http://www.hifirecordings.com [Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG] Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.