The stretch between back to school and winter holidays is traditionally one of the busiest for the music industry. Here's a quick look at what fans can expect in the months ahead.

COUNTRY QUEEN Reba McEntire has recruited a slew of heavy hitters from Nashville and beyond for her first album containing new material in four years. Reba Duets (MCA, September 18) includes pairings with Justin Timberlake, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Don Henley, Rascai Flatts, Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, and Carole King. The project's first single is a new interpretation of "Because of You" featuring none other than Kelly Clarkson.

Another American Idol vet, Carrie Underwood, is eyeing an October 23 release for the follow-up to her 2005 debut, Some Hearts, which has been certified platinum six times over. The two-time Grammy award-winner has more original material for her as-yet-untitled sophomore set (Arista Nashville) produced by Mark Bright. The new album's first single, "So Small," is already out and topping the charts as the highest-debuting single of any country artist this year.

Black Eyed Peas honcho will.i.am always has his hands in a million projects--including productions for future releases by Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston--yet somehow found time for a solo debut too. Songs About Girls (A&M), which arrives September 25, features 12 new tracks, including the club thumper" l Got It From My Mama" and the Snoop Dogg--enhanced "Donque." The BEP front man and T-Pain are also lending their talents to Exclusive by Chris Brown, the young R&B star who dominated charts in 2005 with "Run It!' Brown's second full-length (on Jive Records) is slated to drop October 30.

Two of the biggest surprise success stories of the last couple of years were imports from across the pond. British troubadour James Blunt, the man who crooned the international smash "You're Beautiful," is back for round two with Ali the Lost Souls (Atlantic). Due in stores September 18, this set of new songs includes a few inspired by his sudden ascent, such as "Give Me Some Love" and "Annie." The same day, Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, who previously gave us "Black Horse and the Chery Tree," drops Drastic Fantastic (Virgin), the sequel to her 2005 sleeper hit Eye to the Telescope. On a similar tip, fans of indie stalwart Sam Beam--a.k.a. Iron and Wine--can look forward to all sorts of pleasant surprises on The Shepherd's Dog (due September 25 on Sub Pop), which expands his bittersweet sound to incorporate sitar, saloon piano, and even elements of West African music.

After three seasons of her UPN sitcom and a slew of movie roles, Ruff Ryders alumn Eve finally unleashes the follow-up to her 2002 jam, Eve-olution, on September 18. Her Iong-anticipat ed fourth album, Here I Am (Aftermath/Geffen/Interscope), finds the stylish rapper working with Iongtime cohort Dr. Dre plus Timbaland, Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, and reggae star Sizzla. Meanwhile, on November 6, Eve's "Gangsta Lovin" partner Alicia Keys returns with the similarly titled As I Am (J Records). Three of the new tunes, including "The Thing About Love," have contributions from A-list songwriter-producer--and out lesbian Linda Perry; Floetry vocalist Marsha Ambrosius and John Mayer also perform on the disc. Another spirited neo-soul songstress, Angie Stone, returns as one of the vanguard artists on the recently reactivated Stax Records imprint. Recorded in Marvin Gaye's former Los Angeles studio, The Art of Love and War (out October 16) includes her latest single, "Baby," featuring 70s soul legend Betty Wright.

But in the guest star sweepstakes, Annie Lennox has everyone beat. Her feminist anthem "Sing" boasts performances by 20 of the biggest female solo artists in the world, including Madonna, Fergie, Pink, Sarah McLachlan, Shakira, Joss Stone, Melissa Etheridge, and Faith Hill. The all-star track is just one of the highlights of her new album, Songs of Mass Destruction (Arista, October 2). Lennox's latest was produced in London, Los Angeles, and Miami by Glen Ballard, whose credits include Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill.

The Eurythmics singer isn't the only '80s icon still making the scene in 2007. Billboard.com reports that the Cure, who are hard at work touring North America right now, have stockpiled enough material to make their as-yet-untitled 13th studio album (due in October from Suretone/Geffen); it will be a double disc including such glad-to-beunhappy new ditties as "Christmas Without You," "The Hungry Ghost," and "Please Come Home." And on November 6 the rejuvenated Duran Duran--minus original guitarist Andy Taylor, who bowed out last fall--return to the fray with Red Carpet Massacre (Epic), which updates their classic synth-pop sensibilities with input from contemporan/hit-makers Justin Timberlake and, on three cuts, Timbaland.