Legendary vocalist Neil Diamond [ tickets ] has set an early November release date for "12 Songs," the pop music icon's first new studio album in more than four years.

The CD, set to hit stores on Nov. 8, pairs the singer/songwriter with acclaimed producer Rick Rubin. According to a press release, producing Neil Diamond has been a long-time dream for Rubin, whose diverse credits include working with such hip-hop stars as Jay-Z and LL Cool J as well as country legend Johnny Cash, classic rocker Tom Petty and metal-minded Slayer. As odd as the pairing might look on paper, Diamond says the two clicked pretty much right from the start.

"After the first few meetings, I realized (Rick) loved music in the same way I did," writes Neil Diamond in the liner notes to "12 Songs." "For both of us it was visceral, passionate and could even be an elevating experience. It turned out that we served the same mistress--music, and that was to become our first real connection."

Rubin assembled a topnotch cast of players to back Diamond on the project. The core group consisted of guitarist Mike Campbell and pianist Benmont Tench from Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and guitarist Smokey Hormel, who is known for his work with Beck and Tom Waits. Other musicians included pianist Larry Knechtel and organist Billy Preston.

Early reviews of this new studio album—-Diamond's first since 2001's "Three Chord Opera"--have been wildly favorable.

The track listing for "12 Songs" is: "Oh Mary," "Hell Yeah," "Captain of a Shipwreck," "Evermore," "Save Me A Saturday Night," "Delirious Love," "I'm On To You," "What's It Gonna Be," "Man of God," "Create Me," "Face Me," and "We." A special digipak edition of 12 Songs will feature two bonus tracks: "Men Are So Easy" and an alternate version of "Delirious Love" with guest artist Brian Wilson.