Michael Jackson Xscape -deluxe Edition- 2014 |verified| -
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.
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.
Originally co-written with Paul Anka in 1983, shortly after the release of Thriller . Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014
A beautiful, stripped-back piano ballad accompanied by Jackson snapping his fingers. It captures a raw, joyful vulnerability.
Following the mixed reception of 2010's Michael , the Estate of Michael Jackson and Sony Music decided on a new approach for Xscape . Rather than compiling disjointed demos, they enlisted top-tier producers to polish a select group of tracks recorded between 1983 and 1999. The "Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014" album offers a
Jackson recorded this track in 1998. It is a reimagining of America’s 1972 classic rock hit "A Horse with No Name." The 2014 version transforms the folk-rock track into a thumping, groove-heavy dance anthem reminiscent of "The Way You Make Me Feel." 5. Slave to the Rhythm
An updated interpolation of America’s 1972 hit "A Horse with No Name," this track was recorded in 1998. The original demo is gentle and acoustic, almost folksy. The 2014 version—produced by Stargate—infuses it with lush strings and a massive pop chorus. It is one of the more dramatic reinterpretations, turning a quiet meditation into a soaring anthem. The title track, written and produced by Jackson
On tracks like "She Was Lovin’ Me" (retitled "Chicago" on the main disc) or "Do You Know Where Your Children Are," we hear Jackson not as the untouchable icon, but as a songwriter working through his craft. The scratch vocals are often guttural and emotive, lacking the final sheen but possessing a tangible soulfulness that sometimes surpasses the polished versions. The demo of "Love Never Felt So Good" is a masterclass in simplicity; a swinging, Quincy Jones-esque piano demo that highlights just how powerful Jackson’s melodic intuition was. The comparative listening experience offered by the Deluxe Edition validates the producers' work on Disc One while simultaneously proving that the "original" magic needed very little embellishment to shine.
Written and recorded during the Bad and Dangerous sessions, this track tackles a dark, socially conscious theme regarding child neglect and abuse.
This was the album’s lead single. The Deluxe Edition includes the original 1983 demo (co-written with Paul Anka) which is sparse, driven by a simple piano and Jackson’s youthful, agile voice. The contemporized version features a modern four-on-the-floor disco beat, and the deluxe version famously added a remix duet with Justin Timberlake. The song became a massive global hit, showcasing that Jackson’s voice could sit perfectly atop contemporary production.
Recorded in the late 1990s, this track showcases Jackson revisiting the cinematic, noir-gangster themes he popularized with "Smooth Criminal."