: Contains a making-of documentary titled Xscape , featuring interviews with the producers discussing how they modernized Jackson's archival work.
The responsibility of mining Jackson’s legendary vault fell upon L.A. Reid, the Chairman and CEO of Epic Records. Reid was granted unprecedented access to four decades of vocal tracks. Rather than merely cleaning up old tracks, Reid sought to "contemporize" the music—a process he defined as updating the production to sound like cutting-edge, modern radio hits while retaining Jackson's core essence.
Upon its release, Xscape (Deluxe Edition) was met with significantly warmer critical acclaim than its 2010 predecessor, Michael . Critics praised the decision to include the original demos, noting that it protected the project from accusations of exploitation. By giving fans the raw, unedited tapes, Epic Records allowed the public to judge Jackson's original intent versus the modern interpretations.
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." Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014
A dramatic, accordion-laced piece that channels the cinematic, theatrical storytelling of "Smooth Criminal." 8. "Xscape"
The standard version of Xscape consists of eight "contemporized" tracks, while the Deluxe Edition is a treasure trove for fans, featuring the eight original demos, a bonus track, and a documentary DVD.
Released on May 9, 2014, Xscape - Deluxe Edition is the second posthumous studio album by Michael Jackson : Contains a making-of documentary titled Xscape ,
A mini-movie in the vein of "Smooth Criminal," featuring a heavy accordion groove and intricate vocal layering mimicking gunfire. 8. "Xscape"
: Originally recorded during the Dangerous sessions, this track became a centerpiece of the album's promotion. Preserving History via the Deluxe Edition
: A documentary on the making of the album and the song "Love Never Felt So Good," which became a massive hit featuring Justin Timberlake . Reid was granted unprecedented access to four decades
The album was a global success. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 157,000 copies in its first week in the US, but it topped the charts in over 20 countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
A 1980s synth-pop wonderland featuring 8-bit sounding keyboards and a hauntingly urgent vocal delivery. 7. "Blue Gangsta"
A key philosophy behind Xscape was the concept of —taking archival material and giving it a fresh, modern production without treating the original recordings as sacrosanct. This wasn't about creating simple remixes; it was about building entirely new sonic environments around Jackson's finished vocal takes. Timbaland famously completed his tracks at a rapid pace of about one per day, while Stargate took about a week to craft the standout "A Place with No Name". The goal was to make songs recorded decades earlier sound as if they could compete with contemporary pop on the radio. As Timbaland explained, he had to ensure the songs could sonically stand alongside hits by artists like Katy Perry.
| # | | Original Recording Era | Notable Production Info | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | Love Never Felt So Good | 1983 | Features a duet version with Justin Timberlake | | 2 | Chicago | Unknown | Produced by Timbaland and J-Roc | | 3 | Loving You | 1987 (Bad era) | A heartfelt ballad from the Bad sessions | | 4 | A Place with No Name | 1998 ( Invincible ) | Re-imagined by Stargate; Jackson's take on "A Horse with No Name" | | 5 | Slave to the Rhythm | 1991 (Dangerous era) | Featured the famed 2014 Billboard Music Awards hologram | | 6 | Do You Know Where Your Children Are | 1990s | An Invincible -era outtake with dark themes | | 7 | Blue Gangsta | 1998 | Another cut from the Invincible sessions | | 8 | Xscape | 1999 | Title track; reworked by its original producer Rodney Jerkins | | 9 | Love Never Felt So Good (Original Version) | 1983 | The raw, piano-and-vocal demo | | 10 | Chicago (Original Version) | Unknown | Unadorned archival recording | | 11 | Loving You (Original Version) | 1987 | The original Bad era demo | | 12 | A Place with No Name (Original Version) | 1998 | Raw vocals over Dr. Freeze's original production | | 13 | Slave to the Rhythm (Original Version) | 1991 | The original Dangerous era demo | | 14 | Do You Know Where Your Children Are (Original Version) | 1990s | Unpolished version of the album track | | 15 | Blue Gangsta (Original Version) | 1998 | The raw version from Dr. Freeze | | 16 | Xscape (Original Version) | 1999 | Rodney Jerkins' original 1999 production | | 17 | Love Never Felt So Good (Duet with Justin Timberlake) | 1983/2014 | The chart-topping duet single |
A gritty, late-90s new jack swing/R&B hybrid that showcases the raw power and angst in Jackson's lower vocal register. 3. "Loving You"