Willie, Lenny, Dolly releasing albums in '08

By Jonathan Cohen

NEW YORK (Billboard) - What's the biz to do when the top-selling album of 2007 was a Christmas project released in November, Josh Groban's "Noel," and the second-best was a soundtrack to Disney's "High School Musical" movie sequel?

Superstars underperformed, and not enough up-and-comers took their commercial fortunes to the proverbial next level. Still, there's a wealth of highly anticipated albums heading into stores later in 2008, including new sets from the likes of Madonna, U2, Metallica, Mariah Carey and Shania Twain.

In the meantime, Billboard presents a peek at the music you'll be hearing about in the first quarter.

JANUARY

Willie Nelson, "Moment of Forever" (Lost Highway, January 29)

The latest salvo from the legendary Nelson was produced by country superstar Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon. While Nelson contributed three songs, the 74-year-old also tapped the songwriting talents of Randy Newman (on the poignant "Louisiana 1927"), Kris Kristofferson, Big Kenny of Big & Rich and Dave Loggins, among others. Nelson also covers Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" and Dave Matthews' "Gravedigger," while the bluesy "Worry B Gone" is a duet between Nelson and Chesney.

Sarah Brightman, "Symphony" (Angel/EMI Manhattan, January 29)

Mega-selling soprano Brightman furthers her crossover ambitions here with songs featuring Kiss' Paul Stanley ("I Will Be With You"), Andrea Bocelli ("Canto Della Terra") and Fernando Lima ("Pasion"), in addition to a cover of Faith Hill's "There You'll Be" sung in Italian. "Symphony" will be supported with a PBS special during spring pledge-drive season and also sets up "Repo! The Genetic Opera," Brightman's film debut, due later in '08.

Motel, "17" (Warner Music Latina, January 29)

Motel rode a pop/punk wave in Mexico with the success of its 2006 self-titled album, but its U.S. exposure was mainly limited to Texas and Puerto Rico. Warner Music Latina has bigger plans for "17," which debuted at No. 23 on the Mexican sales charts in November, according to trade group Amprofon. Out digitally since November 20, to coincide with an early pitch for the single "Y Te Vas," the album will arrive January 29 stateside on CD. The label is courting pop network Super Estrella with a more commercial single.

FEBRUARY

Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money)

Widespread leaks forced the rapper to move this project from last fall to February. Wayne has collaborated with everyone from Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado to Kanye West and the Game, but it's unclear what exactly will wind up on the finished project. "I did ask for a list of the songs that were leaked, so I can throw some new joints on there," he says. "I switched the beat up to a lot of them, because the rap is already out there and everybody loves the song, whatever the song shall be."

Nas, "Nigger" (The Jones Experience/Def Jam)

Never one to back down from a challenge, Nas is moving forward with the controversial title of this album, originally expected in December. With production from DJ Toomp, Jermaine Dupri and Sean "Diddy" Combs' Hitmen crew, the rapper pulls no punches on tracks like "You're a Nigger Too" and "The Fear." "There's a fun level to the album," he told MTV. "There's an attractive, sexy, aspect to it; a stylish aspect, a flashy aspect. It takes negatives and makes them good."