AceShowbiz -

After such a long absence from music industry, Ruben Studdard is back. The winner of the second season of The American Idol is reported to release his long awaited sophomore R&B/soul album, "The Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear," on September 26 later this year via J Records.

The lead single of the new album, titled "Change Me" is produced by The Underdogs and goes to urban adult and urban mainstream radio July 31st. As of the album itself "The Return", which is the follow-up to his debut album "Soulful" released in 2003, includes additional production by Scott Storch, Ne-Yo, Brian-Michael Cox, Harold Lilly, Dre & Vidal and others.

Studdard himself produced the track "If Only For One Night," a remake of the Brenda Russell song popularized by Luther Vandross besides co-wrote "I'm Not Happy," "Blow Ya Mind," and "To Tha Crib."

Studdard says his third record reflects "the growth I've been through as a person -- and a singer. I've had a lot of personal tests during this past year and I've learned some great life lessons. I think listeners are going to notice the maturity in my voice and in the subject matter. With "The Return" I'm letting all the people who've followed me from "American Idol" until now know that basically I'm back ... "