One of the most famous unreleased Jackson tracks, "Slave to the Rhythm" was first leaked in 2010. The 1989 demo (recorded during Dangerous sessions) features a grimy, industrial funk bassline that Jackson himself likely programmed. For the 2014 version, Timbaland dramatically reworked the beat into a stomping, percussive masterpiece. The Deluxe Edition allows fans to compare and contrast: the demo is raw and aggressive; the final is polished for stadiums.
Xscape proved that Michael Jackson’s voice—even when recorded on a 30-year-old cassette—was timeless enough to carry modern production. For the fan who wants the complete experience, the Deluxe Edition is essential. It allows you to listen to the album twice: once to hear what Michael Jackson might sound like in a parallel 2014, and once to hear what he actually sounded like in the studio, alone, chasing perfection.
The album was officially released on by Epic Records, MJJ Music, and Sony Music Entertainment. It is the tenth release by Sony and/or Motown since Jackson's death in 2009. The album is named after the title track "Xscape," following Jackson's tradition of naming his albums after a single word from a song on the record. Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014
: Features a guest appearance by Justin Timberlake on "Love Never Felt So Good" and a documentary DVD exploring the album's creation. Tracklist Analysis
Critical reception
To achieve this, Reid recruited Timbaland as the executive producer. Timbaland, renowned for his avant-garde rhythm structures and work with Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott, brought a team of elite hitmakers on board. This roster included Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (who had originally worked with Jackson on the Invincible album), Stargate, J-Roc, and John McClain.
The rule for the production team was strict: they were only allowed to use vocal tracks that Jackson had recorded in full, from top to bottom. They were forbidden from splicing together mismatched takes or using digital manipulation to simulate a complete performance. One of the most famous unreleased Jackson tracks,
A quirky, accordion-led track with a marching rhythm and rich, multi-layered vocal harmonies.
The driving force behind Xscape was L.A. Reid, then Chairman and CEO of Epic Records. His mission was clear: to honor the legacy of the King of Pop by curating a collection of songs that would stand tall next to his iconic catalog. To bring this vision to life, Reid enlisted a dream team of producers. Leading the charge was Timbaland, a production powerhouse known for his work with Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott. Reid believed Timbaland had the "gravitas, depth and range" to engage with Jackson’s work creatively. He was joined by a formidable team including Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (who had worked with Michael on Invincible ), the Norwegian duo Stargate, Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, and John McClain. The Deluxe Edition allows fans to compare and