R. Kelly’s new album out next month

R&B; star R. Kelly will return to the music scene in mid-January with the release of his new album, “Chocolate Factory,” his first major project since his June indictment on felony child pornography charges in his hometown of Chicago.

Kelly had been slated to release an album titled “Loveland” in November, but that collection has been shelved. Officials with Jive Records, the singer’s label, cited the widespread downloading of the music as undermining the release, but sources close to the Kelly camp say that some of the “Loveland” themes and lyrics would present awkward connotations in the context of the singer’s legal situation.

Kelly is expected to go on trial in the summer and could face 15 years in prison if convicted.