With the composure of a maverick negotiator, Garth Brooks said Tuesday that he will meet with EMI executive Ken Berry, about the release of ``Sevens,'' during his six-day stay in Chicago.

Brooks made the remarks at a Rosemont Horizon news conference before Tuesday's concert, the first of eight sold-out shows here. Brooks sold 139,000 Horizon tickets, the most he has ever moved for an indoor American venue. He returns to Rosemont on Dec. 18 and 19.

``Sevens,'' a much-awaited album and an important one for Brooks, was to have been shipped to stores Aug. 7 in conjunction with his free concert in New York's Central Park. But he has refused to allow EMI to release the album, citing displeasure with EMI's marketing plan and the abrupt departure of key EMI executives.

``For the first time in nine or 10 weeks, Garth and EMI will be talking,'' Brooks said. ``It starts tonight after the show. It might go for the next six days; we'll see.''

``Do they want it out by Christmas? I'm sure they would. Is Christmas too soon?''

Cocking his head like a country Henry Kissinger, Brooks added, ``It's not an ego war. But you've got one side that's already made the statement that the inmates can't run the asylum. Did that one offend me?'' He answered with a hearty laugh.

``But it's a new [EMI] regime. My statement has always been, `Look I don't want to get in the way, so I'll sit over here till you figure out what you want to do.' I guess time has favored that.''

Brooks is also a slick promoter. The longer ``Sevens'' is delayed, the more hype is generated.

Several reports have described the sound of Brooks' new material as ``strange'' as well as a return to a more traditional honky-tonk sound.

Brooks was disappointed with his 1995 album, ``Fresh Horses,'' which sold 4 million copies. He measures himself against his peak, 1990's ``No Fences,'' which sold more than 13 million copies.

Wearing one of his black ``g'' baseball caps, and a matching black parachute suit, Brooks appeared relaxed.

Every Brooks media briefing promises one outrageous statement, and Tuesday's affair did not disappoint. Brooks distanced himself from his often appointed role as a barometer of the country music industry.

``The industry is probably the last place I feel welcome,'' said Brooks who last month was voted the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year. ``I know that's strange. But this was my favorite CMA night I've ever spent. Because I wasn't there.''