Official Statement From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

[Prince Of Pop]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

Well I guess when any of the Cascio songs start playing on my stereo, I'll just hit the next button because I have no interest in the songs. I still think it's not 100% Michael.

Anything for money....they just f*cked this project. Sales are not going to be as strong as they would have if they had a legit MJ song on there.

 

[Prince Of Pop]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

But I'm sorry, the estate is full of it and Sony can go screw themselves.

I'm going to support Michael by NOT buying this heap of garbage. Instead, I'll purchase and download the authentic MJ tracks themselves online.

I feel the same way. I don't normally buy songs online...but I think in this case, I'm tempted to do that, and then burn them onto a cd.

 

[Gugu_134]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

We are being patient, Sony has 4 more days before we launch SonyUltimatum.com.

If there aren't complete songs avaible where you can clearly hear Michael then they can make their attempts at adding someone else in but we want every ounce of Michael's pure voice we can get before they do so.

It is not that we don't want people to not buy the album, unfortunately that is the way to get Sony's attention and respect Michael, his music and his fans.

We want Michael and we'll take no substitutions.

You do realise that in your pursuit for 'pure' MJ songs you could lose everything and never ever hear MJ's voice again. In my country those people are called not grateful for what they have..

 

[L.T.D]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

Over my years on this board and other MJ boards, I have RARELY agreed with many of my fellow MJ fans' constant fear-mongering and conspiracy theories about the family, Sony, managers, etc. In the eyes of many fans, everyone is always out to "get MJ and many times I just can't agree with that.

But I'm sorry, the estate is full of it and Sony can go screw themselves.

I'm going to support Michael by NOT buying this heap of garbage. Instead, I'll purchase and download the authentic MJ tracks themselves online.

It's crazy so many people are actually falling for this. I'm feeling sick to my stomach and I want to puke.

I'm in EXACTLY the same boat as you. I have never believed any of the conspiracy theories. In fact, it has allways really got on my nerves. But in this case there is something going on.

Why cant it just be simple, put some awesome 100% MJ song on the album and get it out there. They allways have to **** it up and have some kind of drama surrounding it. Why cant it just be simple for once.

 

[Kuzeh]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

Wow... are you people serious??...
IT IS Michael Jackson, wether you like it or not...
this is becoming just ridiculous at this point...

 

[LoveMJackson]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

I'm going to support Michael by NOT buying this heap of garbage. Instead, I'll purchase and download the authentic MJ tracks themselves online.

It's crazy so many people are actually falling for this. I'm feeling sick to my stomach and I want to puke.

Totally agree with you and I'm going to do the same thing.

 

[mjjesamor]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

Well, looks like Sony aren't backing down on this unfortunately. I just went online to listen again with my headphones...Man those first two lines in particular have zero MJ in them in my opinion. On the third line you can hear a little MJ but not a lot. When it gets further into the song there's even bit that sounds like vocal training with Seth Riggs!!! It just sounds bad and not in a good way. Is it really too much to ask for Michael to sound like Michael? FFS this is ridiculous!

 

[Graf]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

I'm in EXACTLY the same boat as you. I have never believed any of the conspiracy theories. In fact, it has allways really got on my nerves. But in this case there is something going on.

Why cant it just be simple, put some awesome 100% MJ song on the album and get it out there. They allways have to **** it up and have some kind of drama surrounding it. Why cant it just be simple for once.

Yeah..Exactly, why put something that is so blatantly Questionable, it doesn't make sense at ALL. Regardless of how many people say it's Michael, it's still Questionable. They should have NEVER done this in the first place. I mean Previewing the first song is a one that people will be thinking it's not him? They must be F'ing insane to do that, or they did it on purpose. I don't care if its 100% Michael or 0% Michael, they should not be putting QUESTIONABLE songs, because of course they will get this kind of reaction.

All the fans want is Michael's Voice, nothing more, he's the highest selling artist for a reason, because we love HIS voice.

 

[PrincessMichaela]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

Can someone play the final mixed songs and ask Bruce Swedien if this is what Michael sounds liked on the a cappella. Music or no music backing will not make vocals sound any different.

Read between the lines and put stuff together.

The producers heard the tracks in raw MJ vocals before the Cascio's mixed in the fake singer,MJ adlibs,& phrases. cause I'm sure if those 6 had heard the final product they would not agree those are fully MJ's vocals.

That's exactly what I thought too. I was like "Well, great, they heard the raw demo/a capella, whatever it was, and agreed it was Mike,...but I want to know about the song we heard, the one that's going to be on the album, lol."

I don't know that what they heard was the final version with the music stripped away. It may have been the original that was handed over. But we won't know. I would also like to hear individual statements - and opinions on the *final* track.

Because if these guys are working with Sony or hope to in the future, then I have the feeling they may not speak up because they don't wanna rock the boat... kind of a 'Put up and shut up.' It's possible that after hearing what was played for them, they said "Yeah, that's definitely Michael." But that doesn't mean they think that what we heard was all Michael. For all we know, they may have gone home to their wives and said "This is total bs. They took a 30% finished demo from Michael and finished off the other 70% with someone else."

This statement leaves a lot of loopholes. Needless to say, I'm still not convinced. =/

I will keep waiting for something more solid... :timer: :angel:

 

[A. Sizzle]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

For those of you that are gonna buy tracks online

Just be aware that Sony will probably get MORE money because most companies recieve a larger protion of individual song sales as opposed to album sales.

 

[georgdr]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

This estate has earned the benefit of the doubt as they have conducted Michael's business masterfully since June 2009.

They have sent MJ's fan base a letter addressing our concerns which they really didnt have to do but shows me they respect the fans concerns and I applaud them for addressing us.

What im still waiting for from those who believe this isnt MJ is a motive. Does it benefit Michael to have fake songs on an album of course not. Is it smart business for Sony and there 250 million contract? No of course not. Does the estate flourish with reduced sales/controversy? No of course not. So whats the motive for having fake songs?

One last thing. I ask all of you MJ fans to buy the album and if you refuse to believe all of the experts regarding the Casio tracks, then just think of this as a 7 song album. I ask you to do this in honor of michaels legacy and for us fellow fans. If album sales are low that could impact us fans as we will get less MJ products in the future. Its simple, a public hungry for Michael will get more MJ products. If sales are cold we will get fewer releases. Its just supply and demand. How would you all feel if poor album sales cost as a DVD release of the Bad tour as an example??

So I ask again, buy the album and give the estate the benefit of the doubt. The quicker MJ's sales diminish the less we will get of him. Just remember thaT

 

[Limonali]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

I am not the one for conspiracy theories EITHER but I do agree with what MJJNews just tweeted:

MJJNews
Personally, this statement doesn't change my opinion. I want the withdrawal of the controversial songs from the album. 14 minutes ago via web

I just really do not want for songs that were questionable from the very beginning to stay on the album.

 

[L.T.D]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

For those of you that are gonna buy tracks online

Just be aware that Sony will probably get MORE money because most companies recieve a larger protion of individual song sales as opposed to album sales.

This is exactly why i'm not paying for them. I'll buy Bad or something instead so his kids get some money from it.

 

[Derek1984]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

The Cascio tracks aren't even that good! Just take them out and put some Jerkins tracks in there or something.

 

[Petrarose]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

no, dont you see? Its not about whether the songs are good or not! Its about the way they treat his music, and us! It's about being dishonest about what they're selling! If we let this go, then next time, they'll sell you anything under michael's name, just because he used the bathroom in the same building it was recorded! If you release a song where michael is not the main singer, then dont say it's a michael jackson song! Like hmh is akon featuring mj.

exactly.

 

[barok232]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

We are being patient, Sony has 4 more days before we launch SonyUltimatum.com.

If there aren't complete songs avaible where you can clearly hear Michael then they can make their attempts at adding someone else in but we want every ounce of Michael's pure voice we can get before they do so.

It is not that we don't want people to not buy the album, unfortunately that is the way to get Sony's attention and respect Michael, his music and his fans.

We want Michael and we'll take no substitutions.

I am with you. Looking forward to Sonyultimatum. I hope there is a way I can help here from Greece but I think what must be done is fans should go protest outside USA or even UK Sony offices. This way there 'll be media coverage on the matter and Sony maybe will "step a foot" there saying "that's it, we are not releasing the Cascio songs".

 

[ivy]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

Would it be possible for the estate to allow the people mentioned above to release their own statements with their own opinions?

a lot of people (from gearslutz) have been trying to contact Bruce Swedien. He hasn't responded to people as far as I know

Jason Malachi: could you please make your own statement?

he has released a statement from twitter saying that it's not him.

4 Days left till we launch SonyUltimatum.com

I don't know what your plan is but please make sure that you don't make claims that you can't back up and leave yourself vulnerable to a libel/slander lawsuit.

 

[Tipareth]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

I'm in EXACTLY the same boat as you. I have never believed any of the conspiracy theories. In fact, it has allways really got on my nerves. But in this case there is something going on.

yeah of course, people trying to find out what truely happened to Michael Jackson, all surrounding his death.... Making theories,exploring different paths... ( obviously in their quest making mistakes ) those are getting on many fans nerves.... :scratch:

As I've said I would so want to see this huge amount of energy put in fighting for Michael justice, this amount of protest against those who hurt him.

 

[Sharon B. Sidney]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

I am with you. Looking forward to Sonyultimatum. I hope there is a way I can help here from Greece but I think what must be done is fans should go protest outside USA or even UK Sony offices. This way there 'll be media coverage on the matter and Sony maybe will "step a foot" there saying "that's it, we are not releasing the Cascio songs".

We'll be everywhere if it gets to that. They should know how much Michael means to us and if they are wise they'll give us what we want now because once we launch the full scale campaign there's no telling how much profit they'll lose.

Thanks for your support!!!!!

 

[Ashtanga]

Dear Fans

There is nothing more important to the Estate than Michael’s music, his legacy and his fans.

As the Michael album was being put together, it was decided to bring Teddy Riley on board to work on several songs, including “Breaking News,” a song Michael recorded with Eddie Cascio and James Porte in late 2007 while living at the Cascio family home with his children. Riley produced and submitted “Breaking News” to Sony for inclusion on the album. At that time, no one ever mentioned that the vocals we heard on the Cascio songs, which were basically in demo format, might not be Michael. It was known, however, that the background vocals were a combination of Michael and James Porte.

After the tracks were submitted to Sony, three of these Cascio songs were selected to be on the album, and “Breaking News” was one of the three. The day after the submission and selection of the album tracks, for the very first time, the authenticity of Michael’s vocals on the Cascio tracks was questioned.

Because of these questions, I was immediately asked by co-Executors John Branca and John McClain to conduct an investigation regarding the authenticity of the lead vocals on the Cascio tracks.

Six of Michael’s former producers and engineers who had worked with Michael over the past 30 years - Bruce Swedien, Matt Forger, Stewart Brawley, Michael Prince, Dr. Freeze and Teddy Riley - were all invited to a listening session to hear the raw vocals of the Cascio tracks in question. All of these persons listened to the a cappella versions of the vocals on the Cascio tracks being considered for inclusion on the album, so they could give an opinion as to whether or not the lead vocals were sung by Michael. They all confirmed that the vocal was definitely Michael.

Michael’s musical director and piano player on many of his records over a 20-year period, Greg Phillinganes, played on a Cascio track being produced for the album, and said the voice was definitely Michael’s. Dorian Holley, who was Michael’s vocal director for his solo tours for 20 plus years (including the O2 Concert Tour) and is seen in the This Is It film, listened to the Cascio tracks and told me the lead vocal was Michael Jackson.

These are all engineers, producers and musicians who worked on tours and/or in the studio with Michael when he was recording Bad, Thriller, Off The Wall, Dangerous, Invincible, HIStory and Blood On The Dance Floor, and they all reconfirmed their belief that the lead vocals were Michael’s voice on the Cascio tracks.

The Estate then retained one of the best-known forensic musicologists in the nation to listen to the vocals without any instrumental accompaniment (“a cappella&#8221, and to compare them with a cappella vocals from previous Michael songs. This expert performed waveform analysis, an objective scientific test used to determine audio authenticity, on the Cascio tracks, as well as previously released tracks with Michael’s voice, and reported that ALL of the lead vocals analyzed (which included Cascio tracks) were the voice of Michael Jackson.

Sony Music conducted their own investigation by hiring yet a second well-respected forensic musicologist who also compared the a cappella lead vocals from Cascio tracks against previously released vocals of Michael's, and found that Michael’s voice was the on all sets of the raw vocals. The Cascio tracks were also played for two very prominent persons in the music industry who played crucial roles in Michael’s career. Both of these individuals believed that the lead vocals were Michael’s.

Just to be absolutely certain, I also contacted Jason Malachi, a young singer who some persons had wrongfully alleged was a “soundalike” singer that was hired to sing on the Cascio tracks, and I confirmed that he had no involvement with this project whatsoever.

Sony decided that, given the overwhelming objective evidence resulting from the exhaustive investigations outlined above, they wanted to release a record that included three of the Cascio-Porte tracks - because they believed, without reservation, that the lead vocal on all of those tracks were sung by Michael Jackson.

Although there still seem to be concerns being expressed in some quarters about the authenticity of the lead vocals, notwithstanding the opinion of those who worked with Michael, and two independent forensic analysts, ultimately, Michael’s fans will be the judges of these songs, as they always are. We take all fan comments very seriously, and as I’d stated above, there is nothing more important to the Estate than Michael’s music, his legacy and his fans.

Michael’s fans are extraordinary in their quest for accuracy and their passions to raise their voices in a search for truth! We join with them in our care and concern for Michael. We are continuing to follow up with those who have worked in the studio or on tours with Michael, and if any new information comes to light, we will keep you and the fans advised.


Thanks,

Howard


Howard Weitzman, Esq.
Attorney for the Estate Of Michael Jackson
Santa Monica, CA

:thinking:


Howard Weitzman took so long to elaborate THIS response? WOW!!!! :bugeyed :fear:


Ok.... :girl_whistle:

Let's see what will come ahead. :timer:




Thanks Gaz!

 

[Anna]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

he has released a statement from twitter saying that it's not him.

Well there are 2 Jason Malachi accounts on Twitter. Either one is fake or they're both fake.

 

[L.T.D]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

yeah of course, people trying to find out what truely happened to Michael Jackson, all surrounding his death.... Making theories,exploring different paths... ( obviously in their quest making mistakes ) those are getting on many fans nerves.... :scratch:

As I've said I would so want to see this huge amount of energy put in fighting for Michael justice, this amount of protest against those who hurt him.

Nothing wrong with trying to get justice for Michael and trying to find out what truly happened. It goes a little to far sometimes though when people call Sony murderer's among other things. Thats ridiculous.

However in this case, they have murdered Michael's first posthumous album.

 

[Arklove]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

....well, it is what it is.....I wish they'd just remove those tracks from the album...I don't HATE BN, and I do hear Mike in there somewhere...but not enough to say it's a true 'Michael Jackson' song...it's so overproduced, it doesn't sound anything like how I think Michael would have finished it....Now, if it's on the album, well, it's tainting his catalogue....But I still want the album..I want CD quality of the songs that ARE 100% MJ...It just saddens me to hear people say it's 100% NOT him on the song...he IS there...I honestly think the song was altered a bit the other day...because I was adamant that NOTHING we hear in that song was MJ ...absolutely nothing of him...but I can hear him now...but just barely....which is why it shouldn't even be included...if Sony keeps insisting on using this song, because clearly they want to because it has radio appeal...it sounds like a sure fire hit...but it's not something that can truly be enjoyed because of the permanent controversy surrounding it now...

It's too bad, because this album could have done amazing.....I understand those that refuse to buy the album...but again, it's just too bad, we're gonna lose a lot of sales now :no:

 

[Petrarose]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

FAKE SONGS !!

This shows that the statement is not completely accurate. What is going on?
I am going to go with Cory on this because he was in the room and saw and heard what was going on. I think it is good to put all these varying statements together--from the estate and other individuals and then we can see clearer what decision to make.

 

[diana79]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

You do realise that in your pursuit for 'pure' MJ songs you could lose everything and never ever hear MJ's voice again. In my country those people are called not grateful for what they have..

I agree with you that people aren't being grateful for what they have. Imagine if Sony didn't get the tracks from the Cascios, but everyone knew that Michael had recorded some songs with them. Everyone would want to hear them, right?

IMO, the problem is all the secrecy behind the tracks. They should just tell the truth, which seems to be that the tracks that the Cascios had are very rough, and a lot of work (including adding other people's vocals) was required to make them acceptable. If a lot of work needs to be done to a song, just explain it and include it as a "bonus" on the cd.

I think that for every Michael Jackson song being released from now on, Sony should let the fans know-

- when the song was recorded (the year or for which album if it was a rejected track)

- the state of the recording (demo? totally completed?)

- any work that needs to be done to the track (totally rework the song? Add background vocals? Instrumental/mix changes to make old tracks should less dated? etc.)


I can't see why any of that information should be considered confidential, or why providing it would result in less profits for Sony.

I also don't think this is unusual. I remember when the new Beatles songs came out, and everyone knew that Lennon's vocals were from some rough demos, and the song was completed with current recordings of the remaining Beatles. No one considered those songs "real" Beatles songs, since Lennon wasn't around to be involved. But the fans enjoyed them anyway. The same thing could happen to the Cascio tracks if Sony handled the situation properly. If the tracks need major work, then they'll barely even be Michael Jackson songs. But fans will probably still enjoy them.

 

[Sharon B. Sidney]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

a lot of people (from gearslutz) have been trying to contact Bruce Swedien. He hasn't responded to people as far as I know



he has released a statement from twitter saying that it's not him.



I don't know what your plan is but please make sure that you don't make claims that you can't back up and leave yourself vulnerable to a libel/slander lawsuit.

Trust me a lot of negative things about Sony is already out there and proven. We could use that alone and cripple their market by massly dispering info packets letting people know more things about them and our promotions of their competitors.

There are also documented things concerning Michael that we can share with the world who likely were not on fans boards and in the thicke of things as many of us have been.

All of these things we can shout from the rooftops, our emails and media platforms. Sony has FAR too much to lose but if they wanna play- we can play that game and they will be the biggest loser because between what Michael's children could lose from our delay in boycotting ALL THINGS SONY will only be temporary and some fans are willing to abstain from everything Sony but Michael's CD so the children will still get the profits. Sony however, can never make up for the damage that will be created in the publics mind concerning them, they have many industries they are involved in and ALL OF THEM would suffer.

It's not what I nor the fans are happy about doing because we know there are many people working for the name Sony but it is Sony's job to protect their market so their emploees will have jobs. Our fight is with them and it never needs to get to that but they should by now by now Michael's fans are NOT all talk and if it does go that far we will come through with our pledge.

 

[JaneBender]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

The Cascio tracks aren't even that good! Just take them out and put some Jerkins tracks in there or something.

Oh Jeez. How about neither. I can't stand Jerkins or his wack ass tracks.

They ain't got no Thriller/Bad/Dangerous outtakes they can put on there? I don't even like the THEME of BN, as a "lead single" from this new CD, I was hoping for something a little more upbeat. I love Mike and all but enuff with the "the media hates me they think I'm crazy" stuff.

They had Streetwalker and those Thriller outtakes basically completed and managed to put those out, I'm sure there are some 80s 90s tracks floating around somewhere..

And if there aren't they need to just let this ISH GO already. No bueno. I will say until the end that if he wanted these damn tracks released he'da done so. Clearly there is a reason they were sitting in the Cascios computer and not on an album somewhere. Enuff already.

 

[Derek1984]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

^ At least the Jerkins tracks are REAL.

 

[JaneBender]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

^ At least the Jerkins tracks are REAL.

True. They still wack as hell tho. h34r:

 

[defdave]

Re: Official Message From The Estate Of Michael Jackson To The Fans

This shows that the statement is not completely accurate. What is going on?
I am going to go with Cory on this because he was in the room and saw and heard what was going on. I think it is good to put all these varying statements together--from the estate and other individuals and then we can see clearer what decision to make.

Holy...wow. This thing is crazy. Something happened behind the scenes. This is nuts what's going on here.