XSCAPE: A New Album From Michael Jackson Is Set to Be Released
This morning, the Michael Jackson Foundation announced an important statement on the official website of the King of Pop. What we’ve all been waiting for is finally here: an album of previously unreleased material by Michael Jackson. The album, titled “Escape” (XSCAPE), will be available in stores on May 13 (23 Ordibehesht).
The album will include eight tracks with new remixes. In the deluxe version of the album, the original versions of the songs will also be added. Starting tomorrow, you can pre-order both the deluxe and standard versions of this album on iTunes.com or on Michael Jackson’s official website at MichaelJackson.com.
More information about this album will be published on Michael’s official website over the coming weeks.
Some sources have written that these songs will be part of the new album:
1. Xscape
2. She Was Lovin' Me
3. Do You Know Where Your Children Are
4. Slave To The Rhythm
5. A Place With No Name
6. Blue Gangsta
7. I Was The Loser
8. Can't Get Your Weight Off Of Me
9. Chicago
Bonus track: the original version of Hollywood Tonight
New edit – Possible tracklist
1. Xscape
2. Do You Know Where Your Children Are
3. Slave To The Rhythm
4. She Was Lovin' Me
5. Chicago
6. Blue Gangsta
7. A Place With No Name
8. Love Never Felt So Good
This list has not been published on the official website, and it’s unclear how accurate it is. The original tracklist may be something completely different from this one. However, the song Xscape is definitely part of it, because the statement says:
“The title of this album was chosen in respect of Michael Jackson’s way of naming his albums. He always named the album after the title of one of the songs, and from the start of the trailer, one-word names were selected.”
The song Xscape was recorded during the Invincible album era. We pulled it out of the album. The song leaked on the internet in 2002. Michael was very saddened by the leak, and the supporting websites, at his request, refrained from releasing the song. As a result, a ban on the song’s release across websites became widespread. Michael’s lawyer also took legal action to have the song removed from the internet.
Like the rest of Michael’s works, this album will be released by Epic Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music.
Speaking with satisfaction about the release of the new album, Sony’s chairman and CEO, Kazuhiro Hira i (Kazuo Hirai), said: “Michael Jackson has always been a golden member of the Sony family. Starting with the Off the Wall album in 1979, Sony has, over the years, been the company that released all of Michael Jackson’s works.”
L.A. Reid, president and CEO of Epic Records, is the executive producer of this album. He, with permission from the Foundation, gained access to a treasure trove of songs that Michael had recorded over a forty-year period. He then handpicked a group of well-known producers such as Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, and John McClain to work on this new album.
John Branca and John McClain, the trustees of the Michael Jackson Foundation, said:
“Michael Jackson has always wanted to work with new producers and to chase new sounds. In many ways, these songs embody Michael’s spirit. We’re grateful to L.A. Reid.”
L.A. Reid, who has also been one of the judges on the talent competition The X Factor, says:
“If it weren’t for Michael Jackson’s achievements and innovative contributions, contemporary music would be completely different from what it is today. Michael left behind pieces, and we’re proud to present them to you through producers who either worked with him or were intensely eager to do so. We’re very proud that we can bring his music to the world.”
Source: eMJey.com / Michael Jackson Official Website