Gabriel preps long-in-the-works set for fall release

LONDON (Billboard) - It's taken 15 years, but

Peter Gabriel has finally completed the "Big Blue Ball" album, a multi-artist project that started during a series of sessions at his Real World studios in the early 1990s.

"The idea was to put rock musicians together with musicians from all over the world and see what happened," Gabriel said from his Wiltshire, England, base. "We ran the studio like a dating service with a 24-hour cafe."

Recording took place over three years in a series of weeklong residential sessions. "But," Gabriel said, "the tapes were left in a mess, and it's taken this long to sort out." Eventually, producer Stephen Hague (Pet Shop Boys, New Order) was recruited to pull the album into shape.

Gabriel takes several lead vocals on the album. Other singers include

Sinead O'Connor, Karl Wallinger (World Party), Natacha Atlas and Papa Wemba backed by a mix of Western, African and Asian musicians.

"Big Blue Ball" is due globally on Real World/EMI this fall.

"The size of the cast means it's not something you can tour," Gabriel said. "But if it sells, maybe we can record a follow-up."

Reuters/Billboard