Michael Jackson Xscape -deluxe - Edition- 2014
Released on May 9, 2014, Xscape - Deluxe Edition is the second posthumous studio album by Michael Jackson
. Curated by Epic Records chairman L.A. Reid, the project features eight "contemporized" tracks originally recorded between 1980 and 2001. Key Features of the Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition offers a comprehensive look at the production process by including both modern and original recordings: Reworked Tracks:
Eight songs updated with a modern pop sheen by producers like Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, and John McClain. Original Versions: The album provides the original demo recordings
for all eight tracks exactly as Jackson last worked on them. Bonus Content:
Includes a duet version of "Love Never Felt So Good" featuring Justin Timberlake and a 19-minute documentary about the making of the album. Modern Version Original Version Love Never Felt So Good Love Never Felt So Good (Original) Chicago (Original) Loving You Loving You (Original) A Place with No Name A Place with No Name (Original) Slave to the Rhythm Slave to the Rhythm (Original) Do You Know Where Your Children Are Do You Know Where Your Children Are (Original) Blue Gangsta Blue Gangsta (Original) Xscape (Original) Standout Songs "Love Never Felt So Good": Originally co-written with in 1983, this lead single became a global hit. "A Place with No Name": Inspired by America’s "A Horse with No Name," it was originally recorded during the Invincible
The title track, produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, was originally intended for the Invincible album in 1999. Apple Music of one of these tracks or where to stream the album
Legacy
Xscape (Deluxe Edition) represents a benchmark for posthumous releases. By respecting the source material and giving fans both a “modern radio” version and the untouched historical artifact, the project honored Jackson’s motto: “I never take the art home. The art takes me home.” It proved that even in unfinished form, Michael Jackson’s voice, melody, and rhythm remain timeless. For any fan, the Deluxe Edition is essential listening—a dialogue between the King of Pop and the 21st century, where he is both a ghost in the machine and very much alive in every note.
Title: Get Ready to Moonwalk into the Music World: Michael Jackson's Xscape - Deluxe Edition (2014) Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014
Introduction
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, left an indelible mark on the music world with his unparalleled talent, iconic style, and trailblazing artistry. Even years after his passing, his music continues to captivate audiences of all ages. In 2014, a treasure trove of unreleased tracks and remixes was unveiled, giving fans a fresh opportunity to experience the magic of Michael Jackson's music. Welcome to the world of Xscape - Deluxe Edition, a collection that redefines the boundaries of music and innovation.
What is Xscape?
Xscape is the seventh and final studio album by Michael Jackson, released on March 11, 2014. The album features 10 unreleased tracks, crafted from demos and recordings made by Michael Jackson during the 1990s and 2000s. The album was produced by Rodney Jerkins, who worked closely with Michael Jackson on several projects, including the album "Invincible".
The Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition of Xscape takes the listener on a sonic journey through 11 tracks, including the original 10 songs from the standard album, plus an additional bonus track. This special edition provides an immersive experience, with remixes and alternate versions that add a new layer of depth to the music.
Tracklist
- "Love in the Future"
- "Zero"
- "Body"
- "X-Ray"
- "Around the World"
- "Beat It 2K7" (feat. will.i.am)
- "Beautiful Stranger"
- "Price of Fame"
- "Lies"
- "Slave 4 U"
- "Xscape" (Bonus Track)
Standout Tracks
- "Love in the Future" - A futuristic R&B ballad that showcases Michael Jackson's vocal range and emotive delivery.
- "Zero" - A dark, edgy track with a haunting melody and powerful vocals.
- "Xscape" (Bonus Track) - A mesmerizing blend of electronic and pop elements, featuring a poignant vocal performance by Michael Jackson.
Impact and Reception
Xscape - Deluxe Edition received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising the album's innovative production, Michael Jackson's timeless vocals, and the emotional depth of the lyrics. The album debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 chart and reached the top 10 in several countries worldwide.
Conclusion
Michael Jackson's Xscape - Deluxe Edition (2014) is a testament to the King of Pop's boundless creativity and enduring legacy. This special edition offers a fresh perspective on his music, with a diverse range of tracks that showcase his artistic versatility. Whether you're a longtime fan or a new listener, Xscape - Deluxe Edition is an essential addition to any music collection. So, get ready to moonwalk into the world of Michael Jackson's Xscape and experience the magic of his music like never before.
Recommended For: Michael Jackson fans, pop music enthusiasts, and anyone interested in exploring the music of a legend.
Share Your Thoughts: What's your favorite track from Xscape - Deluxe Edition? Share your thoughts and memories of Michael Jackson's music in the comments below!
Released on May 13, 2014, Michael Jackson’s Xscape -Deluxe Edition- marked a pivotal moment in the King of Pop’s posthumous legacy. Following the controversial 2010 release of Michael, this project sought to restore fans' trust by pairing modern "contemporized" tracks with the raw, original demos that Michael himself recorded. The Core Concept: "Contemporization"
The album was executive produced by L.A. Reid, who curated eight tracks from Jackson's extensive archives spanning roughly 1983 to 1999. Reid recruited A-list producers like Timbaland, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Stargate to update the sound for a 2014 audience—a process they termed "contemporization". Review: Michael Jackson, 'Xscape' - NPR Released on May 9, 2014, Xscape - Deluxe
Critical Reception and Commercial Performance
Upon its release on May 13, 2014, Xscape received generally favorable reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, it scored a 67/100, a significant improvement over the 56/100 for Michael. Critics praised the Deluxe Edition's "original versions" disc, with Rolling Stone noting that the demos "eclipse the polished pop of the main disc."
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.
The single "Love Never Felt So Good" (both the solo and Timberlake duet) won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video (the duet version) and was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance.
The Album: Xscape (Disc 1)
The main album is not a Michael Jackson album; it is a 2014 R&B album starring Michael Jackson.
From the opening synth swells of "Love Never Felt So Good," produced by Timbaland and Jerkins, the strategy is clear. The track is undeniably charming—a co-write with Paul Anka from 1983—but the crisp, metronomic beat and Auto-Tuned polish feel sanitized. It’s a good song, but it sounds like a Glee cast version of a Jackson demo.
The album’s true highlight arrives with "Chicago" (originally "She Was Lovin’ Me"). Timbaland strips away the clutter, leaving a haunting, glitchy bassline and a staccato beat. Jackson’s vocal—frantic, paranoid, utterly theatrical—cuts through the production like a knife. You finally hear the man behind the hologram. Similarly, "A Place With No Name" repurposes America’s "Horse With No Name" into a floaty, electronic prayer. It is bizarre and wonderful.
However, the title track "Xscape" (produced by Darkchild) suffers from the loudness war. The original 1999 demo is a lean, aggressive masterpiece of percussion and attitude. The 2014 version buries Jackson’s snarled ad-libs under a barrage of orchestral stabs and clap machines. It’s powerful, but exhausting. "Slave to the Rhythm" is the album's most controversial choice—Timbaland turns a raw, industrial funk demo into a glittering, robotic pop track. The hook is still lethal, but the soul is traded for precision.
"Do You Know Where Your Children Are" tackles Jackson’s signature social commentary (child abuse, lost youth). The new production gives it a tense, cinematic urgency, but the lyrics are painfully literal, lacking the poetic ambiguity of HIStory. Finally, "Blue Gangsta" survives the update intact; its cinematic, string-heavy drama suits Jackson’s gangster-choir delivery perfectly. "Love in the Future" "Zero" "Body" "X-Ray" "Around
7. Xscape
The title track, written and produced by Jackson and Rodney Jerkins in 1999, is a soaring, anthemic declaration of artistic freedom. The original demo is already fully formed, with Jerkins’ signature dark R&B production. For 2014, Jerkins returned to remix his own work, adding a more aggressive bass drop and synth layers. The difference is subtle compared to other tracks, but the demo’s rawness arguably wins.
Weaknesses and ethical considerations
- Posthumous finishing: artistic authorship: Because Jackson was not present to finalize these tracks, the album prompts the perennial ethical question of how far producers should go when completing an artist’s incomplete work. Some arrangements feel like respectful complements; others risk obscuring Jackson’s original intent by imposing contemporary sonic signatures.
- Variable cohesion: The album’s sonic palette shifts between producers, producing inconsistency. For some listeners this variety is stimulating; for others it can feel disjointed compared with a Jackson record crafted as a single artistic statement.
- Commercial framing: Releases like this inevitably exist within a commercial framework. That reality doesn’t negate the music’s value but is worth acknowledging when evaluating the project’s motivations and editorial choices.
Track-by-Track Analysis of the Deluxe Edition
The standard edition contained eight contemporized songs, but the Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014 adds a ninth track and the eight original demos. Here is a breakdown of the key cuts.
