This iconic '80s balladeer seemed to appear out of nowhere when he opened for Tina Turner on her wildly successful tour last year.

The last decade certainly hasn't been as kind to the smooth-sounding Richie -- the one-time lead singer of The Commodores -- due to a recurring throat problem, a nasty divorce and poorly received material.

His latest collection hits stores Tuesday -- a month ahead of the U.S. -- and following its European release where it has sold 700,000 copies.

No doubt the European dance remix of the opening track, Angel, has helped encourage sales along with alternately Latin rhythm-fuelled and disco tracks like Cinderella, Here Is My Heart and Don't Stop The Music.

Whether or not this side of the Atlantic will be as receptive to a Cher-like comeback for Richie remains to be seen.

He certainly took no chances hooking up with an A-list of producer-songwriters including Walter Afanasieff, Rodney Jerkins (Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Brandy), Brian Rawling (Cher, Enrique Iglesias) and Mark Taylor.

For those wanting a little Say You, Say Me-era Richie, look no further than the well-crafted ballads I Forgot, Tender Heart, Dance The Night Away, How Long, Piece Of My Heart and It May Be The Water.

Otherwise, the most modern-sounding song of the bunch is the Jerkins collaboration Tonight, although you wonder whether the kids would just as soon hear a modern male pop star like Iglesias perform it.

Track Listing 1. Angel (Metro Mix Album Version)
  2. Cinderella
  3. Tender Heart
  4. Dance The Night Away
  5. Tonight
  6. How Long
  7. Don't You Ever Go Away
  8. Wasted Time
  9. Piece Of My Heart
  10. It May Be The Water
  11. Here Is My Heart
  12. Don't Stop The Music
  13. Just Can't Say Goodbye (Bonus)