After recording a one-off song for the "Great Expectations" soundtrack, former- Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell is preparing to head into the studio to record his first solo album, tentatively slated for release on October 20.

According to a publicist for the singer, Cornell is currently putting together a band and wrapping up principal songwriting for the album, and plans to go into the studio at the end of June.

Cornell is also in discussions with ace producer Daniel Lanois, who received a Grammy last year for his production work on Bob Dylan's "Time Out of Mind," to man the boards after Lanois completes his tour with Scott Weiland.

In related news, Lanois, who wrote the score for Billy Bob Thornton's film, "Sling Blade," has been tapped once again to do the soundtrack for the director's upcoming movie, and has been performing new songs during his opening stint for Weiland. That material may turn up on a new solo Lanois album, which would be his first since 1993's critically-acclaimed "For the Beauty of Wynona."