Music Review: Michael Jackson - 'Xscape'

To be perfectly honest, when it was announced that a 'new' MJ album was to be released I, like alot of other fans, was not all that excited. Not only because those involved didn't do a great job on 2010's 'Michael', but also because the suits running the music industry will do anything to make a quick profit off of anyone. For those reasons alone I purposely avoided listening to any preview snippets of the reworked tracks and even ignored the official release of 'Xscape'...until Monday, when Micky decided to check it out and encouraged me to take a listen for myself. 

Surprisingly I actually liked the new mixes upon first listen and have had the the Deluxe Edition in rotation all week!

Where the producer's on 'Michael' kind of went a little too far left on contemporary lane, I feel as though with 'Xscape', Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins & StarGate carefully used each demo version as a blueprint. Building upon the tracks so to speak, in order to preserve the uniqueness of each song, with the end result (for those previously unfamiliar with these unreleased tracks) being, that it's still quite easy to identify which tracks belong to certain era's.

My only critique however, is the feature of a certain Culture Vulture added onto the 'Love Never Felt So Good' Remix. Not only was it unnecessary to do a Remix of a Remix (catch my drift?) but, just because someone comes off of the product assembly line of 'MJ Knockoffs', it doesn't mean they have the legit capabilities to hang with The King Of Pop. Personally I would have preferred a real Jackson featured ala Janet or 3T, as opposed to a Jackson Wannabe, so L.A Reid n 'em get the side eye from me on that one!

Lastly, I can understand the point of view of fellow fans who don't approve of unfinished material being released because, if it wasn't perfected by the man himself, then that should be respected but on the other hand, it's always evident that what wasn't considered perfect by MJ, pretty much is when compared to the vast majority of other artists best works. Ironic case in point: despite each producer associated with 'Xscape' putting their best efforts forward in order to meet MJ's standard, his Demo's are still superior to the new mixes and are perfect as is IMO. Especially the vocals. Proving in Micky's words "the man just had Super Human Talent".

All that aside though, whether you're an MJ fan (of any degree) or simply a lover of good music, I recommend purchasing the Deluxe Edition of 'Xscape' because there really is something for everyone to enjoy;

Deluxe Edition Tracklisting

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
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 - Michael Jackson & Justin Timberfake

DVD

- Xscape Documentary (L.A. Reid And The producers Discuss Their Experiences On This project)

- Xscape Documentary Outtakes

Poster

Exclusive Mr. Brainwash Poster

And to the lame MJ haters, all I have for you is this;