Newlywed Sting is at work on an...

Newlywed Sting is at work on an album that’s due out in the first part of next year. The early word is that it’s an upbeat, rock ‘n’ roll effort. . . . The target date for Janet Jackson’s first album under her lucrative Virgin Records deal is now April. Writers-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are once again collaborating with her. . . . Pink Floyd will release “Shine On,” a nine -CD set collecting the group’s most popular albums (all remastered) and one disc of non-album singles, plus a 121-page hardcover book covering the band’s history. It’s due in stores Nov. 24, with a price expected to be around $150. . . .

Los Lobos is taping a Christmas program of music and storytelling for National Public Radio tonight at a Hollywood recording studio, called “The Holiday House Party With Los Lobos and Friends.” Joining the band will be John Hiatt, Rickie Lee Jones, Dave Alvin, Syd Straw and others. . . . Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis, Beastie Boy Mike D., former Jane’s Addiction members Eric Avery and David Navarro, members of Mary’s Danish and 15 top professional surfers are among those who appear in “Trip on This,” an anti-drugs, anti-racism video aimed for use in high school classrooms. It’s already been used in San Diego and Orange County. . . .

Jesus Jones’ third album, “Perverse,” is set for a Jan. 26 release, while World Party’s third is scheduled for Feb. 23. Tours from both are expected in the spring. . . . Regina Belle’s delayed album is now set for January and will feature her new duet with Peabo Bryson, “A Whole New World,” from the Disney animated film “Aladdin.” . . .

Reggae band Steel Pulse is going to make a video for its song “Taxi Driver” re-enacting the recent investigation of taxi racism in which black Steel Pulse singer David Hinds was passed up by a cab, which then stopped for a white female reporter just down the block. That is now the basis of a $1-million class-action suit filed against the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission. Jay Leno and Branford Marsalis will do cameo turns as cabbies in the video. . . .

Look for a new version of Ministry’s song “Just One Fix,” featuring the sampled voice of “Naked Lunch” author William S. Burroughs. The 78-year-old writer is also in the video for the song, shot recently in Lawrence, Kan. The original version of the song is on the Chicago industrial group’s recent album, “Psalm 69.”

Columbia Records is rush-releasing a promotional only single of a new Leonard Cohen song, “Democracy,” to get it to radio in time for the election. Cohen’s new album, “The Future,” will be in stores Nov. 17. . . .

Billy Idol has completed nine tracks for his next album, due out early next year. . . . The word about the rapping Geto Boys’ January album is that it’s their raunchiest yet. The Houston group now includes a new member, Big Mike, the replacement for Willie D, who’s now a solo artist.