Michael Jackson Xscape -deluxe Edition- 2014 -

Informative Report: Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014

Introduction

In 2014, a posthumous album by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was released under the title "Xscape". The album was a collection of unreleased tracks recorded by Michael Jackson between 1995 and 2001. A deluxe edition of the album was also made available, offering additional tracks, demos, and remixes. This report aims to provide an overview of the "Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014" album.

Background

The "Xscape" album was curated by Michael Jackson's brothers, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy Jackson, along with producer Timbaland and others. The album's title, "Xscape", refers to the idea of escaping into a world of music. After Michael's passing in 2009, his team worked on completing the unreleased tracks to create a cohesive album.

Deluxe Edition Tracklist

The deluxe edition of "Xscape" includes 10 additional tracks, making a total of 17 tracks. Some of the notable tracks on the deluxe edition include:

1. "Love in the Morning"
2. "She's Working It Out"
3. "Higher"
4. "Beat It (Timbaland Remix)"
5. "Another Part of Me (Timbaland Remix)"

Critical Reception

The deluxe edition of "Xscape" received generally positive reviews from music critics. The album holds a Metacritic score of 64 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Critics praised the additional tracks on the deluxe edition, which offered a deeper look into Michael Jackson's creative process.

Commercial Performance

The "Xscape -Deluxe Edition-" debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling over 60,000 copies in its first week. The album also charted in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, and the UK.

Conclusion

The "Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014" album offers a comprehensive look at Michael Jackson's unreleased work from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The additional tracks on the deluxe edition provide insight into Michael's creative process and offer something new for fans to enjoy. While opinions on the album vary, it remains a valuable addition to Michael Jackson's discography.

Recommendation

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. Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014

Rating: 4/5

This report provides information on the album, deluxe edition tracklist, critical reception, commercial performance, and a conclusion. A rating of 4 out of 5 stars is given based on general reviews and critiques of the album.

Additional Tracks:

• "Another Part of Me (R&B Mix)"
• "Burn This Disco Out"
• "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (R&B Mix)"
• "Rock with You (R&B Mix)"
• "Working Day and Night (R&B Mix)"

Alternative Tracklist:

Some editions or releases might have variations in tracklists; however, a common tracklist for the deluxe edition is:

• "Love Never Felt So Good"
• "Another Part of Me"
• "Billie Jean"
• "Beat It"
• "Human Nature"
• "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
• "The Lady in My Life"
• "Dirty Diana"
• "Leave Me Alone"
• "Liberian Girl"
• "Man in the Mirror"
• "Private Conversations"
• "Remember the Time"
• "Will You Be There"
• "Black or White"
• "Is It Any Wonder?"
• "What a Wonderful World"
• "Heal the World"

Disc One: The Contemporized Tracks (Produced by Timbaland & Friends)

1. "Love Never Felt So Good" (with Justin Timberlake)

   • Originally written in 1983 with Paul Anka (who famously also worked on "I Never Heard" for Anka’s own album), this song is the most accessible, upbeat track on the album. The contemporized version features a piano-driven, disco-lite arrangement. The inclusion of Justin Timberlake—a vocal disciple of Jackson—was a smart commercial move. It feels like a passing of the torch. The duet became a global hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

2. "Chicago" (Originally "She Was Lovin’ Me")

   • Produced by Timbaland, this track transforms a melancholic ballad about a deceptive affair into a tense, cinematic thriller. The stuttering drums, minor-key strings, and pitch-shifted background vocals create a paranoiac atmosphere. It perfectly captures the "dangerous" side of Jackson’s persona.

3. "Loving You"

   • The lightest track on the album. Timbaland treats this with a light, skipping beat and sparse synths. It sounds like a summer jam from 1979 filtered through a 2014 iPad. While pleasant, it is arguably the least essential rework.

4. "A Place With No Name"

   • A direct re-imagining of America’s 1971 hit "A Horse with No Name." The original (found on disc two) is a haunting, guitar-driven rock ballad. The contemporized version replaces the acoustic guitar with staccato synth bass and heavy reverb. It polarizes fans, but it shows Jackson’s love for reinterpreting classic rock hooks.

5. "Slave to the Rhythm"

   • This song has a legendary history. Originally worked on with L.A. Reid and Babyface in the early 90s, it was later revisited for Dangerous and Invincible. The contemporized version by Timbaland and J-Roc is industrial, aggressive, and robotic. It became famous for the "hologram" performance at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards (which was technically a magic illusion, not a true hologram). The production locks into a mechanical groove that underscores the lyric about a woman trapped in a gilded cage.

6. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"

   • One of Jackson’s darkest compositions, dealing with child abuse and teen prostitution. The 2014 version adds a heavy rock edge, complete with distorted guitars and a driving bassline. It loses some of the rawness of the original demo but gains a powerful, anthemic urgency.

7. "Blue Gangsta"

   • Originally a HIStory outtake. Dr. Freeze wrote this slow-jam-meets-gangster-saga. The contemporized version leans into the "Gangsta" aesthetic with trap hi-hats, orchestral stabs, and a menacing choir. It sounds like it belongs in a Guy Ritchie movie.

8. "Xscape"

   • The title track, written and originally produced by Rodney Jerkins during the Invincible sessions. The 2014 version is explosive. Timbaland adds a dramatic intro (complete with an orchestral remake of the melody) and a massive drop. The song features one of Jackson’s most powerful vocal performances—a "scream" in the bridge that reminds you of his unmatched energy.

Michael Jackson – Xscape (Deluxe Edition, 2014): The King of Pop, Reimagined and Restored

Released on May 13, 2014, by Epic Records and MJJ Productions, Xscape is the second posthumous album of original material by Michael Jackson. Unlike its predecessor, Michael (2010), which was met with controversy regarding the authenticity of some vocals, Xscape was built on a clear, respectful, and technologically sophisticated premise: take eight unreleased tracks spanning Jackson’s most creative periods (1979–2001) and “contemporize” them without erasing his core essence. "Love in the Morning" "She's Working It Out"

The album’s title and guiding philosophy come from Jackson’s own habit of “escaping” to create—leaving the noise of the world to build his art. The Deluxe Edition, in particular, is the definitive version of the project, offering a unique dual listening experience that showcases both a modern vision and Jackson’s original artistic intent.

9. Chicago (Original Version – Deluxe Bonus)

The Deluxe Edition exclusive is an alternative, orchestral version of "Chicago" that strips away much of Timbaland’s beat, leaving a breathtaking string arrangement behind. It serves as a bridge between the raw demos and the polished final cuts.

Critical and Commercial Reception

Xscape was a major success, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It reached No. 1 in over 15 countries. Critics praised the Deluxe Edition for its transparency—by including the original demos, the producers avoided the ethical pitfalls of the Michael album. Reviewers noted that while the contemporized tracks were enjoyable, the raw demos were often more powerful, revealing Jackson’s genius without studio gloss.

The album’s lead single, Love Never Felt So Good, became Jackson’s first posthumous top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1995. A hologram performance of Jackson dancing to Slave to the Rhythm at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards (though technically impressive) sparked debate about the ethics of performing a deceased artist as a digital ghost.

Michael Jackson — Xscape (Deluxe Edition, 2014)

Overview

• Artist: Michael Jackson
• Album: Xscape (Deluxe Edition)
• Release year: 2014 (Deluxe Edition)
• Type: Posthumous studio compilation of previously unreleased songs, updated production

Key versions/tracks (Deluxe Edition)

• Xscape (Original and multiple remixes/edits)
• Do You Know Where Your Children Are
• Love Never Felt So Good (Original Demo and duet/production variants)
• Chicago
• A Place with No Name
• Slave to the Rhythm
• Blue Gangsta
• Loving You
• Other bonus/remix tracks depending on region (Deluxe editions include alternate mixes, instrumental or demo versions)

Producers & Contributors

• Executive producers: John McClain, John Branca (estates/management)
• Contemporary producers involved in 2014 updates: Timbaland, Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, Stargate, Rodney Jerkins, and others
• Original recordings span late 1970s–2000s; modern producers reworked stems for release

Commercial performance

• Charted highly worldwide on release (Top 10 in multiple countries; debuted at No. 2 on US Billboard 200)
• Spawned singles/airplay for tracks such as "Love Never Felt So Good" (including a Justin Timberlake duet version in some editions)
• Certified in several territories (gold/platinum in various markets)

Critical reception

• Mixed to generally positive: critics praised Jackson's vocals and stand-out tracks but had divided opinions on modern reworkings versus preserving original production.
• Highlighted tracks frequently: "Love Never Felt So Good," "A Place with No Name," "Blue Gangsta," "Slave to the Rhythm."

Notable editions/formats

• Standard edition (fewer tracks)
• Deluxe Edition (adds alternate mixes, demos, bonus tracks)
• International/retailer-specific bonus tracks (e.g., iTunes deluxe bonus)
• Vinyl and CD releases; streaming availability with deluxe tracklist on major platforms

Tracklist example (Deluxe Edition — typical configuration; exact ordering/bonus tracks vary by region)

1. Love Never Felt So Good (Original Demo)
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. (Bonus/Remix/Demo tracks vary by edition — e.g., "Love Never Felt So Good" (Justin Timberlake duet) or alternate mixes)

Usage notes

• For collectors: check region-specific tracklists and retailer bonuses for unique demos/remixes.
• For licensing or sampling: clearances may require contacting Jackson estate and original producers/publishers.

If you want, I can:

• Provide the exact Deluxe Edition tracklist for a specific region (e.g., US, UK, Japan).
• Show chart positions and certification numbers by country.
• Summarize reviews from major publications.

Related search suggestions (Note: these are suggested search terms you might use next.) Critical Reception The deluxe edition of "Xscape" received

• Michael Jackson Xscape Deluxe Edition tracklist US 2014
• Xscape 2014 producers Timbaland J-Roc Stargate
• Love Never Felt So Good Justin Timberlake duet release info

The release of Michael Jackson's Xscape (Deluxe Edition) in 2014 represented a critical turning point for the artist's posthumous legacy. Following the mixed reception of the 2010 album Michael, Epic Records and the Jackson Estate shifted strategies, prioritizing transparency and creative modernization. This deluxe collection is notable for its "contemporized" versions of unreleased tracks, paired with the original demos, allowing listeners to hear the evolution of Jackson's craft from the 1980s through the early 2000s. The Strategy of Contemporization

The album was executive produced by L.A. Reid, who enlisted a team of top-tier producers like Timbaland, StarGate, and Rodney Jerkins. Their mission was to "modernize" the tracks while preserving Jackson's "essence"—a delicate balance between 21st-century production and the artist's iconic vocal style.

Love Never Felt So Good: The lead single, originally a 1983 demo with Paul Anka, was transformed into a disco-pop anthem.

Chicago: A 1999 track from the Invincible sessions that showcased Jackson’s more aggressive, "street" vocal delivery.

Slave to the Rhythm: Originally recorded during the Dangerous sessions, this track became a centerpiece of the album's promotion. Preserving History via the Deluxe Edition

The Deluxe Edition’s inclusion of the original demos was widely praised by critics and fans alike. By providing the raw recordings alongside the new versions, the estate avoided the "faked vocal" controversies that had plagued previous releases.

A Place With No Name: A creative rework of America's "A Horse with No Name," showing Jackson's habit of reimagining classic melodies.

Loving You: A track from the Bad era that highlights Jackson's ability to create timeless pop hooks even in his "experimental" phases.

Xscape: The title track, which deals with themes of media intrusion and personal freedom—a recurring motif in Jackson's later work. Cultural Impact and Legacy

Xscape was more than just a collection of songs; it was a multimedia event. The 2014 Billboard Music Awards featured a "hologram" performance of "Slave to the Rhythm," which sparked both awe and ethical debate regarding the use of technology to resurrect deceased performers.

Michael Jackson - XSCAPE review by mrmerle - Album of The Year

Editorial: Michael Jackson — Xscape (Deluxe Edition, 2014)

Xscape (Deluxe Edition) arrives as both a time capsule and a careful exercise in custodial craftsmanship. Released in 2014, this posthumous collection of Michael Jackson material—reworked, completed, and contemporized—offers a layered listening experience that raises familiar tensions: reverence versus reinterpretation, archival value versus commercial curation.

Packaging and Visual Content

The physical Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014 is a collector’s treasure. The packaging includes a 36-page booklet featuring never-before-seen photographs of Jackson in the studio during the Dangerous and HIStory eras. The artwork depicts Jackson in a golden, ethereal light, symbolized by the album’s concept of his spirit "escaping" the confines of time.

Furthermore, the deluxe edition was released alongside an interactive app experience created by Sony. Using the album cover, fans could unlock augmented reality content, including the short film for "Slave to the Rhythm" (which featured a holographic performance of Jackson at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards) and exclusive interview footage with Timbaland and L.A. Reid.