And the blitz to promote the album is as massive as her previous efforts - she blanketed MTV's airwaves and has made high-profile appearances on behalf of the disc.

But this time, there's no major reinvention from the woman who has made it her career - from Madonna the disco queen to Madonna the vamp, to Madonna the mother to Madonna the spiritual goddess and back again.

"I think for her, this record is sort of a retrospective of her career . . . it's very self-referencing," says Stuart Price, who wrote and produced much of the record with Madonna.

She's unlikely to be in the clubs these days because she has to get up early and tend to her family. Married to film director Guy Ritchie, Madonna spends most of her time with him and their two children at home in Britain; her free days revolve around her kids' activities.

"My daughter (Lourdes) dances, she loves ballet," Madonna muses. "I like to go and watch her dance. My son (Rocco), he does martial arts, because that's what my husband does.

She says her children get much of the credit for the kindlier, more gentle Madonna that's emerged in recent years (the former Sex author has even penned children's books).

But her devotion to Kabbalah, the Jewish mysticism that has gained popularity in recent years, also has been a factor. Her ties to it have drawn scepticism, and some people have even labelled it a cult - which makes Madonna bristle.

"I think that people are bothered by it because it's unfamilar to them," she says. "If you're someone that people look up to, and you're doing something that doesn't fit into the expected behaviour of a pop star, some people are going to be suspicious about that.

But, you know, it's not like I've joined the Nazi party!"Instead, she says it's only added to the continuing development of Madonna - the person, not the superstar.

"It's made me grow up and it's made me ask more questions and made me understand that I have a responsibility in this world that goes beyond me," she explains.

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