Manama, Bahrain ? As Michael Jackson watched the destruction of New Orleans from a palace in the distant desert kingdom of Bahrain, he saw an opportunity to help others – and has since been trying to organize an all-star charity single that just may end up helping his flagging career as well.

Jackson, who has kept a low profile since his acquittal on child molestation charges four months ago, said through his publicist that his planned record to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina would include vocal contributions from Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, James Brown, Lenny Kravitz, R. Kelly and others. Representatives for Brown and Kelly said they had agreed to take part; efforts to confirm the participation of the others were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Jackson, who has been a houseguest of Shaikh Abdullah Ben Hamed Al Khalifa, the prince of Bahrain, will record the song on the prince’s record label, 2 Seas Records. The track’s working title is “From the Bottom of Our Heart.” The undertaking is in the in the mold of “We Are the World,” the 1984 tune that Jackson co-wrote to help famine victims in Africa. Not only did that No. 1 single help raise $50 million for famine relief, it added to Jackson’s career luster at a time when he towered over pop music.