Michael Jackson Xscape -deluxe: Edition- 2014

The Resurrection of Pop: Unpacking Michael Jackson’s Xscape - Deluxe Edition (2014)

In the pantheon of posthumous album releases, few have sparked as much conversation, controversy, and acclaim as . Released on May 13, 2014, by Epic Records, this collection arrived five years after the King of Pop’s tragic death. Unlike the previous posthumous album, Michael (2010), which faced skepticism regarding the authenticity of some vocals, Xscape was built on a foundation of unimpeachable source material: eight tracks entirely recorded by Jackson himself between 1983 and 1999.

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. Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014

L.A. Reid spearheaded the project with a strict rule: only tracks featuring complete, multi-tracked vocal performances by Jackson would be considered. Reid enlisted Timbaland as the executive producer, alongside hitmakers like Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, and John McClain.

For the casual listener, the contemporized songs are a thrilling listen—modern, loud, and radio-ready. For the die-hard fan or music student, the original demos are a masterclass in pop songwriting. They reveal a man who could walk into a studio with nothing but an idea and emerge with a fully orchestrated song humming in his head. The album’s title and guiding philosophy come from

Timbaland and J-Roc turn it into a breezy, soul-infused summer anthem.

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. Reid spearheaded the project with a strict rule:

Timbaland infused his trademark stuttering drums and futuristic synths into tracks like "Chicago," while StarGate added a sleek, driving disco-soul groove to "A Place with No Name." Rodney Jerkins was uniquely tasked with contemporizing "Xscape," the very track he had originally produced with Jackson during the 1999 Invincible sessions. The Dual Experience of the Deluxe Edition

Recorded in 1999 during the Invincible sessions.

A breezy, mid-tempo soul track reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's mid-70s work, complete with bright synthesizers.