Michael Jackson Xscape -deluxe Edition- | 2014 New!
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Recorded during the 1987 Bad sessions, this track is a breezy, soulful ballad. The 2014 version retains the melody's inherent warmth while replacing the dated 80s synthesizers with a smoother, modern Neo-soul groove. 4. "A Place with No Name"
For true fans, the centerpiece of the deluxe package is the bonus DVD, which includes a 23-minute documentary on the making of the album. This feature provides an intimate look inside the production process, featuring interviews with L.A. Reid, Timbaland, and the other producers as they discuss the challenge and thrill of working with Jackson's material. It stands as a primary source for understanding the immense thought, care, and contemporary polish that went into updating the King of Pop's sound.
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Do you have a favorite track from the 2014 Xscape album, and do you prefer the contemporary 2014 mixes or the original demos? Let me know which ones! Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014
Originally recorded in 1998, this track showcases Jackson's love for cinematic, mobster-themed narratives (akin to "Smooth Criminal"). The modern production strips back some of the original accordion elements, replacing them with hard-hitting brass stabs and a sinister trap beat. 8. "Xscape"
Commercially, Xscape was a success. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 (behind the Frozen soundtrack), selling 157,000 copies in its first week. It went on to become the best-selling posthumous album by a solo artist since Jackson’s This Is It in 2009. Worldwide, it sold over 1.5 million copies.
| Feature | Standard Edition | | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Primary Content | 8 "contemporized" reworks of unreleased tracks | Standard Edition tracks + their 8 original versions + 1 bonus track | | Original Versions | Not included | Included, recorded between 1980 and 2001 | | Bonus Track | Not included | The rarities album "Xscape (Vinyl)" included the alternate version "Chicago (Papercha$er Remix)". | | Bonus DVD | Not included | Contains the 23-minute "Xscape Documentary" and outtakes. | | Total Runtime | 34:25 | 73:43 (including all bonus material) |
Michael Jackson Xscape - Deluxe Edition - 2014 is more than just a posthumous cash-in; it is a celebration of an artist whose unreleased leftovers outshine most artists' definitive catalogs. It bridges generations, proving that whether backed by a 1980s piano or a 2014 electronic bassline, Michael Jackson’s voice remains timeless, transcendent, and undeniably magical. The behind the 2014 Billboard Music Awards hologram
The Deluxe Edition’s DVD/Blu-ray component— Xscape: The Documentary —is critical. It shows producers analyzing Jackson’s handwritten notes, tempo markings, and marginalia to justify creative decisions. This forensic curation transforms the album from a cynical cash-in to a collaborative archeology. Furthermore, the inclusion of the original "Chicago" (1940s doo-wop arrangement) versus the contemporized piano-house version demonstrates how Jackson’s core melodic writing transcends production era.
A powerful dance track recorded in 1991 with L.A. Reid and Babyface. The contemporized version features a thunderous, electronic dance music (EDM) infused beat that matches the intense, frantic nature of Jackson's vocal delivery about a woman trapped in domestic and societal cycles. 6. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"
: Originally recorded during the Dangerous sessions, this track became a centerpiece of the album's promotion. Preserving History via the Deluxe Edition
A quirky, accordion-led track with a marching rhythm and rich, multi-layered vocal harmonies. Reid, Timbaland, and the other producers as they
Timbaland transformed it into a massive, theatrical EDM-pop hybrid. It features explosive synth swells and a thumping four-on-the-floor beat designed for stadium playback. 6. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"
: Written during the Bad sessions and revised for Dangerous , this song tackles heavy social themes. The modern production emphasized its urgent, cinematic nature.
Originally tracked in the late 1990s, this song features a cinematic, mobster-themed narrative. The original demo is heavily theatrical, while Timbaland’s update infuses it with a hard-hitting trap rhythm and sweeping strings.
A hard-hitting, industrial funk track that highlights Jackson's perfectionism regarding rhythm and timing. 6. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"
Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014 stands as the definitive blueprint for how posthumous albums should be handled. It respects the past while embracing the future. By offering both the contemporary updates and the raw, archival historical documents, the album serves as both a vibrant dance party and an invaluable audio museum of pop royalty.