Macy Gray [ tickets ] is back on the touring circuit with a month-long run of North American dates to support her first set of new material in four years.

The neo-soul singer, known for her unique raspy voice and outlandish sense of style, is scheduled to launch the outing Aug. 14 with three shows in Florida and then play all over the US through mid-September. She also has a Sept. 8 gig in Rama, Ontario. Details are listed below.

In March, Gray released her fourth studio album, "Big," on will.i.am music group/Geffen Records. The set marks the first time the Grammy winner has worked with other artists, songwriters and producers. In addition to Will.I.Am, she collaborated with Justin Timberlake, Natalie Cole and Fergie, among others.

"Will convinced me to try it, and after what I had been through with my last label, I was kind of humbled," Gray said in a statement. "I was a lot more open to other suggestions. I discovered people's energies, their ideas and what they could bring to the artistic process."

She added that co-producer Will.I.Am wanted to make a record with varied sounds and approaches. Indeed, "Big" delves into a wide variety of musical styles, sampling the string arrangement from Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy," the intro from James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," and lyrics from Dead or Alive's new-wave classic "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)."

A few songs from the album, including the single "Shoo Be Doo," are streaming at Gray's MySpace page.

"Big" is the performer's first set of new material since 2003's "The Trouble with Being Myself," but she hasn't exactly been resting on her laurels. Gray has been busy with an acting career that has seen her appear opposite Denzel Washington in "Training Day" and play roles in the films "Spider-Man," "Scary Movie 3," "Around the World in 80 Days," "Domino," "Shadowboxer" and OutKast's "Idlewild" musical. She has also appeared in several television dramas, including the HBO movie "Lackawanna Blues," for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Gray also keeps busy with philanthropic activities, including running the M. Gray Music Academy in North Hollywood, CA, which gives underprivileged children and teenagers an outlet to perform. She also set up One by One, which helps families affected by Hurricane Katrina. Gray plans to donate a portion of her touring proceeds to One by One, according to her website.