PRINCELY DELAY: The release of Prince’s new...

PRINCELY DELAY: The release of Prince’s new album (the one with male/female biological symbol for a title) has been pushed back to Sept. 29. No reason was given, but some information about the music is starting to leak out.

For one thing, the album will be released in both “clean” and “dirty” versions--the main difference being in versions of the recent single “Sexy MF.” And the album features an unlikely guest: “Cheers” actress Kirstie Alley, who takes the role of a reporter, called Vanessa B., trying to interview Prince between some of the songs. It seems Alley is a longtime Prince fan who once appeared on a “Why Women Love Prince” edition of Joan Rivers’ TV talk show.

The album will also be available in a 30,000-copy limited-edition package with gold foil wrapping and special graphics, selling for $28.95.

Some of the most loyal “VIP” Prince fans are getting a preview of the album as part of this weekend’s Prince convention in Minneapolis. This is the second annual convention, sponsored by the official Prince fanzine, Controversy. Meanwhile, Prince himself is rehearsing for a possible U.S. tour, apparently depending on how well the new album sells.