Releasing a single album as a dozen tracks in different formats is an ambitious undertaking, but for someone with Jackson's background, it makes sense. With a resumé that includes label-head of the groundbreaking, defunct Output Recordings, an expansive catalog of experimental house and ambient music, and design projects like Soulwax's eye-buzzing Any Minute Now cover, Jackson's just the guy we would expect to do this. The album itself will include a selection of previously unreleased tracks, remastered and re-edited specifically for F O R M A T.

The question is, does anyone have an 8-track player lying around, or a burning desire to listen to something on mini disc? Our guess is Jackson's futuristic, cerebral aesthetics will propel the, er, more frustrating album formats into something a little more stimulating. F O R M A T arrives next month, along with an album listening party at The Vinyl Factory in Soho where the limited edition tracks will be available to purchase. No word on price or the number of limited editions available, but digital and vinyl formats of the album will be available one month after its initial release. Guess it's safe to say reel-to-reel isn't making a comeback.