http://time.com/43596/michael-jackson-xscape-new-music/
It’s a Thriller: New Michael Jackson Songs Coming in May on Posthumous LP Xscape
The King of Pop is coming back: on May 13, Epic Records will release Xscape, an album featuring eight brand new, previously unheard tracks by Michael Jackson.
The world will hear the new tunes due to the efforts of Epic Records chairman and erstwhile X Factor judge L.A. Reid, who was granted unlimited access to Jackson’s archives by his estate. In the archives, Reid uncovered what a press release calls “four decades of material on which Jackson had completed his vocals.”
Reid selected eight tracks for the album and then sent them out to be retooled by producers, including recent Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake hitmaker Timbaland, in a process Reid calls “contemporizing.” While that sounds potentially ominous (as in adding an ’80s sax solo to a Ramones song could be considered “contemporizing”
, Reid apparently only chose producers who had “the gravitas, depth and range” to maintain the “essence and integrity” of Jackson’s work. Fingers crossed, Jackson fans.
“Michael left behind some musical performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers that he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with,” said Reid in the press release. “We are extremely proud and honored to present this music to the world.”
As for the title of the new album, it comes from a song written and produced by Michael Jackson and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins (who helmed hits for Brandy, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga). According to the press release, “Xscape” is the only track on the album to be “contemporized” by the producer who recorded it originally in the studio with Michael.
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26824983
http://www.spin.com/articles/michael-jackson-timbaland-xscape-album-contemporize/
"Contemporize," man.
That word, which appeared fewer than 100,000 times in a Google search as of this post, holds the fate of a new, posthumous Michael Jackson album. Xscape, a set of eight new "contemporized" Jackson songs with Timbaland as lead producer, will arrive on May 13 via Epic Records, the label announced today.
The news makes good on Timbaland's hints last year he'd be overseeing a new project credited to the King of Pop. The collection also features production from Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome "Jroc" Harmon, and John McClain. A full track-list isn't yet available, but the title song is the only one updated by the producer who originally recorded it with Jackson, in this case Jerkins — who also co-wrote the track.
"Contemporizing" is Epic Records boss L.A. Reid's word for the process applied to the album. The man executive-produced Xscape, selecting the recordings to give to the producers. According to a press release, they then "retooled the production to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains Jackson's essence and integrity." Epic will also put out a deluxe edition that includes the original versions.
Reid, in a statement, praised Jackson's contributions to music. "Michael left behind some musical performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers that he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with," he said. "We are extremely proud and honored to present this music to the world."
Pre-order standard and deluxe editions of Xscape via iTunes beginning April 1. More details will be on the way via the official Jackson website. Jackson's last studio album was 2001's Invincible.
In the meantime, listen to Jackson's flat-out amazing a cappella demo for "Beat It" over at NPR's Tumblr.
It’s a Thriller: New Michael Jackson Songs Coming in May on Posthumous LP Xscape
The King of Pop is coming back: on May 13, Epic Records will release Xscape, an album featuring eight brand new, previously unheard tracks by Michael Jackson.
The world will hear the new tunes due to the efforts of Epic Records chairman and erstwhile X Factor judge L.A. Reid, who was granted unlimited access to Jackson’s archives by his estate. In the archives, Reid uncovered what a press release calls “four decades of material on which Jackson had completed his vocals.”
Reid selected eight tracks for the album and then sent them out to be retooled by producers, including recent Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake hitmaker Timbaland, in a process Reid calls “contemporizing.” While that sounds potentially ominous (as in adding an ’80s sax solo to a Ramones song could be considered “contemporizing”
, Reid apparently only chose producers who had “the gravitas, depth and range” to maintain the “essence and integrity” of Jackson’s work. Fingers crossed, Jackson fans.“Michael left behind some musical performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers that he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with,” said Reid in the press release. “We are extremely proud and honored to present this music to the world.”
As for the title of the new album, it comes from a song written and produced by Michael Jackson and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins (who helmed hits for Brandy, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga). According to the press release, “Xscape” is the only track on the album to be “contemporized” by the producer who recorded it originally in the studio with Michael.
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26824983
http://www.spin.com/articles/michael-jackson-timbaland-xscape-album-contemporize/
"Contemporize," man.
That word, which appeared fewer than 100,000 times in a Google search as of this post, holds the fate of a new, posthumous Michael Jackson album. Xscape, a set of eight new "contemporized" Jackson songs with Timbaland as lead producer, will arrive on May 13 via Epic Records, the label announced today.
The news makes good on Timbaland's hints last year he'd be overseeing a new project credited to the King of Pop. The collection also features production from Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome "Jroc" Harmon, and John McClain. A full track-list isn't yet available, but the title song is the only one updated by the producer who originally recorded it with Jackson, in this case Jerkins — who also co-wrote the track.
"Contemporizing" is Epic Records boss L.A. Reid's word for the process applied to the album. The man executive-produced Xscape, selecting the recordings to give to the producers. According to a press release, they then "retooled the production to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains Jackson's essence and integrity." Epic will also put out a deluxe edition that includes the original versions.
Reid, in a statement, praised Jackson's contributions to music. "Michael left behind some musical performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers that he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with," he said. "We are extremely proud and honored to present this music to the world."
Pre-order standard and deluxe editions of Xscape via iTunes beginning April 1. More details will be on the way via the official Jackson website. Jackson's last studio album was 2001's Invincible.
In the meantime, listen to Jackson's flat-out amazing a cappella demo for "Beat It" over at NPR's Tumblr.
