New Michael Jackson Album "Xscape" OUT NOW!

[NCtwin]

From the official site:

March 31, 2014

View media item 890072

It was announced today that on May 13th Epic Records, in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson, will release XSCAPE, an album of new music by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. XSCAPE is executive produced by Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid. After mining by the Estate of Jackson’s archives, Reid was granted unlimited access to the treasures spanning four decades of material on which Jackson had completed his vocals. Reid then teamed up top producers to “contemporize” the songs while retaining Jackson’s essence and integrity, creating the best music you’ve never heard.

The list of producers include global hitmakers Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate and John McClain.

The new album will feature eight brand new recordings. A Deluxe Edition of XSCAPE will include a selection of the recordings in their original form. Both the standard and Deluxe Editions are available April 1st for pre-order on iTunes (Smarturl.it/xscape) and elsewhere.

The title of this album honors Michael’s album naming process. He always chose a song from the album to name his projects and, beginning with THRILLER, used only one word titles, each with an edgy quality to them. This is true of the new project.

John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson said, “Michael was always on the cutting edge and was constantly reaching out to new producers, looking for new sounds. He was always relevant and current. These tracks, in many ways, capture that spirit. We thank L.A. Reid for his vision.”

Full press release below and more news about Michael Jackson’s upcoming album will be revealed in the coming weeks. Keep visiting www.michaeljackson.com for new details.



XSCAPE
LONG AWAITED NEW MUSIC FROM MICHAEL JACKSON

OUT ON EPIC RECORDS MAY 13

EPIC CHIEF L.A. REID TEAMS UP WITH TOP PRODUCERS TO “CONTEMPORIZE” SONGS FROM ICONIC ARTIST’S ARCHIVE

March 31, 2014 — New York, NY — On May 13, Epic Records, in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson, will release XSCAPE, an album of new music by the internationally beloved music icon and King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The project features eight new tracks, which the world will be hearing for the very first time on the new album. For the ultimate fan experience, XSCAPE will also be available in a Deluxe Edition, which includes all of the sourced Michael Jackson recordings in their original form. The XSCAPE standard and Deluxe Editions are available for pre-order beginning April 1 on iTunes.com/MichaelJackson and elsewhere, and available at all retailers worldwide on May 13.

XSCAPE is executive produced by Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid, who, after an initial mining of Jackson’s archives by the Estate, was granted unlimited access to the treasures representing four decades of material on which Jackson had completed his vocals.

Reid curated the final list of recordings to deliver to the producers, who retooled the production to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains Jackson’s essence and integrity. It’s a process Reid calls “contemporizing.” The album’s lead producer, Timbaland was one of a handful of producers Reid believed had the gravitas, depth and range to creatively engage with Jackson’s work. Additional producers include global hitmakers Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome “Jroc” Harmon and John McClain.

“Modern music and artistry would look and sound completely different if not for the groundbreaking contributions Michael Jackson gifted to the world,” remarked L.A. Reid. “Michael left behind some musical performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers that he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with. We are extremely proud and honored to present this music to the world.”

The title of this album honors Michael’s album naming process. He always chose a song from the album to name his projects and, beginning with THRILLER, used only one word titles, each with an edgy quality to them. This is true of the new project. Written by Michael Jackson and Jerkins, and produced by Jackson and Jerkins, “Xscape” has further significance in that it is the one track on the album that was ‘contemporized’ by the producer who recorded it originally in the studio with Michael.

John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson said, “Michael was always on the cutting edge and was constantly reaching out to new producers, looking for new sounds. He was always relevant and current. These tracks, in many ways, capture that spirit. We thank L.A. Reid for his vision.”

XSCAPE is a long awaited collection of exciting new music that will thrill the legions of fans of one of the world’s most revered and best-selling artists, as well as attract a whole new generation discovering his artistry for the first time. In conjunction with the release of XSCAPE, Epic / Sony Music will launch an unprecedented global campaign with the One Sony sister companies, Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications, and Sony Network Entertainment International drawing from all of Sony’s strengths and consumer reach.

"Michael has long been a treasured member of the larger Sony family," said Kazuo Hirai, President and CEO, Sony Corporation. "Starting with the release of ‘Off The Wall’ in 1979, Sony Music Entertainment has since released all of Michael’s recordings. We are thrilled and privileged to be collaborating as One Sony to celebrate Michael’s latest legacy, and bringing his fans an exclusive experience through our upcoming initiatives with our products and services."

More news about Michael Jackson’s upcoming album will be revealed in the coming weeks. Keep visiting www.michaeljackson.com for new details.

EDIT 05/02/2014:

FIRST SINGLE: "Love Never Felt So Good"



Here's the version with Justin Timberlake:




Track listing:

Standard version


1."Love Never Felt So Good"

2."Chicago"

3."Loving You"

4."A Place with No Name"

5."Slave to the Rhythm"

6."Do You Know Where Your Children Are"

7."Blue Gangsta"

8."Xscape"

Deluxe Edition bonus tracks

9."Love Never Felt So Good" (original version)

10."Chicago" (original version)

11."Loving You" (original version)

12."A Place with No Name" (original version)

13."Slave to the Rhythm" (original version)

14."Do You Know Where Your Children Are" (original version)

15."Blue Gangsta" (original version)

16. "Xscape" (original version)

17."Love Never Felt So Good (Remix)" (featuring. Justin Timberlake)

 

[n3rd]

Link?

I hate they didn't just release the songs as they originally were personally.

 

[NCtwin]

Link?

I hate they didn't just release the songs as they originally were personally.

http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/news/xscape-new-album-coming-may-13th

 

[Kimchi Papi]

I hate that LA Reid is at the helm of this project. I hope I'm proven wrong but this screams GENERIC to me. If LA was as smart as he thinks he is, he should've brought in Quincy Jones to help with the project. MJ did his best work with Jones & no one would know his stuff better.

I always wonder about the people MJ had around him at the later stages of his life. He just got bad advice from everywhere. Everyone was looking to make a buck off him. I remember a long time ago I read an interview with Pharrell where he said he wrote several songs for MJ & had given demos of the tunes to his people.

They came back to him & said they didn't like the songs. Some of those songs were used on Timberlake's Justified which included Like I Love You & Senorita. One of those songs was also Usher's You Don't Have To Call...

If I had my druthers, I'd have Quincy, Nile Rodgers, Pharrell, & Daft Punk helm the project & kick LA to the curb...

 

[NCtwin]

I hate that LA Reid is at the helm of this project. I hope I'm proven wrong but this screams GENERIC to me. If LA was as smart as he thinks he is, he should've brought in Quincy Jones to help with the project. MJ did his best work with Jones & no one would know his stuff better.

I always wonder about the people MJ had around him at the later stages of his life. He just got bad advice from everywhere. Everyone was looking to make a buck off him. I remember a long time ago I read an interview with Pharrell where he said he wrote several songs for MJ & had given demos of the tunes to his people.

They came back to him & said they didn't like the songs. Some of those songs were used on Timberlake's Justified which included Like I Love You & Senorita. One of those songs was also Usher's You Don't Have To Call...

If I had my druthers, I'd have Quincy, Nile Rodgers, Pharrell, & Daft Punk helm the project & kick LA to the curb...

Does Q still have an active role as producer?? I'll have to look him up...

 

[8pm at msg]

I am not excited. Posthumous albums rarely work out.

 

[joe cool23]

Songs that were unreleased during MJ's lifetime were unreleased for a reason.

They're subpar.

 

[mastamind033]

I will listen but I'm not expecting much, hope I'm wrong

 

[airjordan jb23]

its unheard MJ material, so ill automatically be looking forward to it. at the same time, a part of me does feel a little weird about it, since its posthumous. i feel the same with aaliyah tracks / vocals

 

[jadaqwest]

Ill check it out....still king

 

[MajinZuub]

"Reid then teamed up top producers to “contemporize” the songs while retaining Jackson’s essence and integrity, creating the best music you’ve never heard."


Read that and immediately turned me off the project.

 

[ScroogeMcBuckz]

Songs that were unreleased during MJ's lifetime were unreleased for a reason.

They're subpar.

Some of his tracks sat on the shelf due to copyright issues, their can be other complications that keep tracks from seeing the light of day besides them being subpar. But I don't see timberland capturing the essence of mj. Let Quincy dig out some beats from the 80's/early 90's crates.

 

[Lunden]

Some of his tracks sat on the shelf due to copyright issues, their can be other complications that keep tracks from seeing the light of day besides them being subpar. But I don't see timberland capturing the essence of mj. Let Quincy dig out some beats from the 80's/early 90's crates.

This

and that Pharrell story is true along with Ne-Yo majority of NeYo, Usher, and Justin's songs was meant for Michael but his crew kept turning them down but Michael said he never received the songs and told Pharrell those should have been his songs

 

[senorroboto2k5]

"Reid then teamed up top producers to “contemporize” the songs while retaining Jackson’s essence and integrity, creating the best music you’ve never heard."


Read that and immediately turned me off the project.

Actually the opposite for me. Sounds like they are using the originals as a base. Not completely switching the production like 2pac's albums.

http://www.digitalspy.com/music/fea...um-xscape-how-good-is-it.html#~oAjnzeKQ6tAoU1

 

[MajinZuub]

"Reid then teamed up top producers to “contemporize” the songs while retaining Jackson’s essence and integrity, creating the best music you’ve never heard."


Read that and immediately turned me off the project.

Actually the opposite for me. Sounds like they are using the originals as a base. Not completely switching the production like 2pac's albums.

http://www.digitalspy.com/music/fea...um-xscape-how-good-is-it.html#~oAjnzeKQ6tAoU1

Ah ok. The word "cotemperize" is terrifying when it comes to music

 

[debso]

all they had to do was release the bad era stuff IN ITS ORIGINAL FORMAT and **** would have been good.
not trying to hear timbaland ruin the vocals.

they have more than enough songs for a bad 2. just give it to us as is.

 

[suberzat1]

About time someone made this thread

This was suppose to be from the Thriller days

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

[suberzat1]

 New Xperia Z2 commercial with a little more of Slave to the Rhythm.

Supposed tracklist:

01. Love Never Felt So Good
02. Chicago (She Was Loving Me)
03. A Place With No Name
04. Do You Know Where Your Children Are
05. Slave to the Rhythm
06. Blue Gangster
07. Xscape
08. Stop Throwing Your Life Away
====== DELUXE VERSION ONLY ======
09. Hot Fun In The Summertime feat. D'Angelo & Mary J. Blige
10. Love Never Felt So Good **Original Version**
11. She Was Loving Me **Original Version**
12. Chicago **Original Version**
13. A Place With No Name **Original Version**
14. Do You Know Where Your Children Are **Original Version**
15. Slave to the Rhythm **Original Version**
16. Blue Gangster **Original Version**
17. Xscape **Original Version**

I cut together a snippet of Slave to the Rhythm based off the two commercials.

Fun fact, one of the songs on this album has been officially released before. Just not by Michael. The song "Love Never Felt So Good" was recorded by Johnny Mathis and included on his album A Special Part of Me, released in 1984.

 Someone posted these pictures on an MJ fan forum. These are from Times Square in New York.

 

Kevin Hughes ‏@Popprince
Great night at the Michael Jackson #Xscape playback. Goosebumps hearing that amazing vocal. LA Reid has chosen well. pic.twitter.com/un6PvjyajR
4:44 PM - 31 Mar 2014

Kevin Hughes ‏@Popprince
#Xscape Still buzzing from what I heard tonight.. Do You Know Where Your Children Are. Wow! #MJ pic.twitter.com/VgmezdDido
5:55 PM - 31 Mar 2014

Kevin Hughes ‏@Popprince
#Xscape A Place With No Name... #AllAboutThoseMJharmonies Amazing.. pic.twitter.com/FbZirqcscH.
9:42 PM - 31 Mar 2014

 

[drones]

Killed MJ's image in the media, killed him for real, stole his publishing rights and catalog, and now putting his music in commercials and on albums.

Music industry so shady.

 

[dipsetgeneral]

I am not excited. Posthumous albums rarely work out.

Thread/.

 

[superblytrife]

*waits for jokes about "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"*

They threw internet lulz-seekers an oop with that one SMH.

I'm looking forward to this though. Not expecting much, but maybe they'll surprise me. Any new MJ is cause enough for me to listen.

 

[debso]

"spanish" mike on the cover has me excited.

def will cop off the strength of that. on the one hand i'm excited and hope that its as dope as something that would have released in the late 80's...on the other hand if it is as dope as that i'll be upset because he's no longer living.

i would still pay good money to see a hologram concert of mike.

 

[brutalkidalex]

funny how i get all my news from NT you would think i would have found out about this some where else lol 

 

[brutalkidalex]

on a side note i dunno why im so dman excited for this 

 

[joe cool23]

*waits for jokes about "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"*

They threw internet lulz-seekers an oop with that one SMH.

I have an original version of the song.

It's a good song, but the lyrics (considering what happened in MJ's life afterwards) definitely lean on the side of  uneasiness.

Think of a 'We Are The World'/'Heal The World' for child sexual abuse, child prostitution, and runaway children....with the synthetic substitution drum break.