ALBUM UPDATE: Since Liz Taylor’s wedding, Michael...

ALBUM UPDATE: Since Liz Taylor’s wedding, Michael Jackson has been able to devote all his attention to finishing his album, “Dangerous.” But don’t hold your breath: A pre-Thanksgiving release is unlikely, and even having it ready for Christmas stockings is starting to seem like an outside prospect.

The same goes for Bobby Brown’s still-untitled new album--another project that’s been through the rescheduling mill. Last year Brown assured Calendar the release date for the follow-up to his 1988 blockbuster “Don’t Be Cruel” would be in May. Now, many missed deadlines later, MCA is desperately hoping that it’ll have something in hand by the end of November. If that’s the case, the label will have a tough time getting it into the holiday sales derby.

Insiders blame the delay on Brown’s battles with MCA Executive Vice President Louil Silas Jr., who’s been largely overseeing the project, as well as conflicts with the noted team L.A. Reid & Babyface, who are producing part of the album.

Silas’ reaction to these rumors: “Just silly gossip.”

The real reason, he insisted, is strictly business. “The negotiations between Bobby and L.A. and Face took forever,” he said. “L.A. and Face have been busy launching a label, so they had a hard time finding time to work with Bobby.”

Album Update will occasionally turn its attention from such seemingly sure-fire hits as the Jackson and Brown releases to the surprising flops. The biggest bomb in the past month has been Queen Latifah’s “Nature of a Sista’,” which was supposed to make the sassy rapper a major mainstream star. Even with critical acclaim, a national tour with Ziggy Marley and major media attention, the album peaked at a lowly No. 117 on Billboard magazine’s pop chart. It’s currently anchored at No. 150.