Following the mixed reception of the 2010 posthumous album Michael , L.A. Reid sought a different approach for Xscape . The goal was "contemporization"—taking Jackson’s vocal tracks and restructuring the instrumentation to sound fresh, modern, and competitive on contemporary radio, without losing the essence of Michael's original intent.
The production team used a process they called "contemporization." They kept only Jackson's original vocal tracks and built completely new musical arrangements underneath them. This approach gave the decades-old recordings a fresh, 2014 radio-ready sound. Deluxe Edition vs. Standard Edition
The goal was not to erase Michael’s original intent but to imagine how these songs might sound if he had walked into a studio in 2014. This was a risky gamble. Purgists worried the producers would deface sacred material, while modern audiences were curious if Jackson’s voice could sit comfortably alongside the trap-influenced, synth-heavy soundscapes of the mid-2010s.
The only track on the album reworked by its original producer, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. It was originally recorded for Invincible in 1999 but leaked online in 2002.
A powerhouse track from the 1991 Dangerous era. L.A. Reid and Babyface originally worked on it, but Tricky Stewart and Timbaland gave it a massive, industrial-pop makeover for 2014. The song later gained widespread fame when a Pepper's ghost "hologram" of Michael Jackson performed it at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards. Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014
To execute this vision, Reid enlisted a team of top-tier producers led by Timbaland, alongside Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, StarGate, and John McClain. The rule for the producers was strict: use only Jackson’s completed vocal takes and build entirely new sonic landscapes beneath them. Track-by-Track Breakdown: The New vs. The Original
The included in the Deluxe Edition offers an invaluable 23-minute documentary, Xscape Documentary , featuring interviews with L.A. Reid, Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, and others, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the album's creation.
Xscape is an album that exists in two distinct timelines. The original songs were recorded by Michael Jackson between 1980 and 2001. These archival vocals were then meticulously reworked from 2013 to 2014 by a team of contemporary producers to create the final album.
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. Following the mixed reception of the 2010 posthumous
The Deluxe Edition is widely considered the definitive version of the album because it bridges the gap between past and present.
It contains the chart-topping version of the lead single featuring Justin Timberlake. Track-by-Track Breakdown 1. Love Never Felt So Good
For fans of Michael Jackson and those interested in exploring his unreleased work, the "Xscape -Deluxe Edition-" is a worthwhile listen. The album provides a unique glimpse into the King of Pop's creative process and features some enjoyable and memorable tracks.
Here is a breakdown of the key tracks from both perspectives. The production team used a process they called
The Deluxe Edition offers a comprehensive look at the production process by including both modern and original recordings: Reworked Tracks:
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Xscape was met with surprisingly positive reviews, a stark contrast to the skepticism that surrounded the 2010 posthumous album Michael . Critics praised the Deluxe Edition specifically, noting that the inclusion of the original demos showed immense respect for Jackson's artistry and protected the estate from accusations of altering his vision.
Includes Michael Jackson, Paul Anka, Babyface, and Dr. Freeze, who worked on the tracks between 1980 and 2001. Deluxe Edition Contents