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Original Versions OF XSCAPE Album

NotAlone said:
Read Billboard interview. The new producers only were given vocals and were not allowed to hear thr original.
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You misred or someone is misleading you because it did not say that at all. They would have to have all the masters tracks to even know what the song was and how to produce it. They were not just given the vocals without the melody or other tracks. I have the Billboard magazine and there is nothing that says anything like that.. All La Reid stated was he didn't want them to chop the vocals is all. he wanted them intact to flow with MJ front and center. The focus was to be on MJ vocals. and build around it. they could use what they wanted from the masters and add their own creative touch as well,

They were also very humble about the process. Not arrogant, ONly Hoping MJ would like what they did.
 
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Hey guys I have a question... The version of "Do you know where your children are" that leaked years ago have an instrumental that is slightly different from the one on the album, also with some different vocals. What is that about? I heard this leaked version I'm talking about has Slash playing the guitars...
 
The leaked version of DYKWYCA was considered for the Michael album and that's not Slash playing the guitar, it's Steve Lukather.

I honestly loved better that one. It's the only original I didn't like at all, they abused of the synthesizers a lot.
 
MikeJac2005 said:
That part is turned down so much you can hardly hear it lol. Somehow I feel that Xscape is a little less funky/bouncy than the old leaked version. Anyone else find that?
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Yeah, the bass is a lot less "fat", very different instruments in some areas, more "clicky". The spoken part seems to have a compression effect into it, like he's speaking through an old radio.

Here are my thoughts on the demos:

Love Never Felt So Good - Badly (re)mastered, stereo expansion unnecessary (like 2006 leak). Artifacts with the hiss when the song starts when MJ sings "love" (very obvious with headphones) and also near the end. SERIOUSLY? 2010 leak was much cleaner but has lower bitrate and sibilant. VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!

Chicago (She Was Loving Me) - Very ambient. The vocals still sound a bit processed especially "she smiled and looked at me" but I think these effects may have been intended. I like how the "she was lovin me" alternates between left and right channels slightly. Overall, however, I prefer Timbaland's remix; the original is too slow for my liking.

Loving You - Reminds me a lot of the demo for The Girl Is Mine. I don't like how it's pitched down slightly (TGIM demo was also pitched down in its release on 2008 remix single), I keep thinking Michael's voice is slightly out of tune in some parts compared to the Timbo's remix but much more natural if not a bit deeper. Due to the slight pitch-down, the key transition in the demo sounds quite subtle but it does transition from B-flat into B major. Timbo's mix stays in B-flat major so he processed MJ's voice to stay in B flat. He also replaced "I'll stay home instead" to "I'll stay home in bed in the first build up. I do like the production of the remix a lot - my favourite out of the Xscape album.

A Place With No Name - Shortened from the leaked version, the only change is the instrumental break before the bridge has been shortened - it still fades out around the same point as the leaked mix (slightly earlier/faster). The remix on the other had took a while to dig into. My ears died first but like other fans, I STARTED LIKING IT, KISSING IT, HUGGING ITTTTT! (LOL)

Slave To The Rhythm - I was not expecting this. A few fans seem to be disappointed but it seems Tricky simply made up those chord progressions. Timbo's version isn't that bad if you consider that. Suppose Tony Moran's remix of HIStory leaked before HIStory itself, I think people would be digging the remix and be surprised the original is so different.

Do You Know Where Your Children Are - Reminds me of Abortion Papers and a bit of Bad Tour Wembley, a lot better than the 2010 leak! The only thing I don't like is the fade-out, it makes the adlibs at the end become muddled out (notably the "heyyyyyyyyyy!" around 4:29).

Blue Gangsta - There's more bass but it doesn't resonate as much so it sounds a bit stripped down. That said, I like the extra touches to this version such as the guitar right before the chorus and the different instruments.

Xscape - Sounds like the leaked mix with a bit more punch.
 
After listening to the originals several times:

Love Never Felt So Good: Of course, in a demo state like this it was not releasable as a single, so it needed an update. But I always LOVED the demo very much. It's something I already played regularly. I love the simplicity, rawness and naturality of it, that it's all about Michael's vocals and his fingersnaps and claps.

Chicago: I'm really intrigued by this demo, because it's so unlike Michael, it's almost as if he was experimenting musically. It gives me an ambient vibe. This is a nice litte surprise to me. Really love this. The new version is different and while it makes it probably more appealing to mainstream taste, but it kills off some of the mysteriousness of the demo.

Loving You: You could say it's an average R&B-pop ballad, but you know how Michael's vocals can elevate songs to another level - and that is exactly what is happening here. The new version is almost identical with the demo - with Timbaland adding some beats and polishing some instrumentals, but it did not went through such a makeover as other songs.

A Place With No Name: Not too far away from America's original song. While it may be less innovative than the new version, but I enjoy the atmosphere of the demo a lot more than Stargate's version. With Michael's original version every time I listen to it I envison the whole scene: the desert, the city, the woman - it had that magical, cinematic feel to it. To me that is lost in the new production, so I definitely prefer the original to the new version.

Slave To The Rhythm: The instrumental on this is obviously demo, so it needed an update, but OMG those vocals! It gives me chills as with each verse the emotions in his voice become more and more intense. I love that verse when he sings "she danced to the beat of her own" and "she knew she was needed back HOME! HOME!" OMG, that intensity! Love it. I do not dislike the new version - and the song obviously needed an instrumental update - but it did lose some of that intensity in the production.

Do You Know Where Your Children Are: To all of us who were used to the 2010 leaked version, both the new version and the demo can come as a surprise. To me the new version is a very negative surprise though - the low point of the album. Timbaland butchered a song that had hit potential if it had been approached the right way. The demo is a lot better, though probably many will find the 2010 version the best version with those great guitar riffs. The demo is interesting though in the same way as Chicago is: I find some of it is pretty uncharacteristic of Michael. For example, the beats remind me of Depeche Mode somehow. I can hear BOTH the 2010 direction and the Timbaland direction in the demo - so both can be derived from the demo somehow, but the 2010 direction is a lot better take of it IMO.

Blue Gangsta: Always loved this demo and they did not manage to top the original with the new version. Should have been left as it is on the original - only maybe with some updated instrumentals, but that's it. Perfect as it is.

Xscape: I was never as big fan of this song as other fans seem to be, but it's OK. Probably could appeal to the general public too, so I think this will be a single. Rodney Jerkins' new mix is good and probably more fitting on modern radio, but I prefer the original.

All in all, as you can see, I tend to prefer the originals. I think most of these sings did not need as big of a makeover - they should have just updated the instrumental and that's it. Curiously Timbaland's probably best work on the album is where he stays close to the original and does not try to outdo it (Loving You)...
 
I actually prefer many of the new versions!

My favorites:

LNFSG - new version
Chicago - new version
Loving You - new version
APWNN - Demo version
STTR - New version
Xscape - New version
Blue Gangsta - Demo version
DYKWYCA - demo version

So 5 songs I prefer the new version!! - That is pretty amazing actually! - I would have thought I would prefer the originals, but the new mixes are so GREAT !!

And 3 demos I prefer! - Maybe the new versions will grow on me, but so far I like the original versions of DYKWYCA, Blue Gangsta and APWNN more. - I still like the new versions, but the demos are a little better!
 
Slave To The Rhythm demo is the best version of the song I have heard. Okay, it's a bit dated production-wise, but MJ doesn't need fancy 2014 production gimmicks, his voice shines so bright on the demo, and quite frankly I find the Timbaland and Tricky versions detract from the raw power of MJ's stellar vocal delivery.

I also don't care for the new reworking of Blue Gangta, infact I think they murdered the original.
 
Snow White luvs Peter Pan said:
The leaked version of DYKWYCA was considered for the Michael album and that's not Slash playing the guitar, it's Steve Lukather.

I honestly loved better that one. It's the only original I didn't like at all, they abused of the synthesizers a lot.
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The 2010 leak DYKWYCA is catchier at first, but I think the demo is musically more interesting. In fact the demo has BOTH the 2010 and 2014 version in it - so I can see why Lukather and Timbaland went two totally different directions. Those directions were BOTH in the original demo. It has more layers to it than either the 2010 or the 2014 version IMO.
 
Aniram said:
Each track feels genuinely touched by Michael, and the new songs feel only touched by him vocally, if that makes sense.
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It makes total sense, because that's exactly what is the case. The producers crafted new instrumentals around his vocals, with little to no regard for the original versions - it wasn't a case of updating the production and adding the odd thing here and there while maintaining the original melodies, hooks and rhythms. The new versions are remixes that one might like or not, but musically they have very little to do with MJ.

I'm still obsessed with Slave to the Rhythm. The groove is incredible. It actually reminds me of a very early instrumental of Jam that Brad Sundberg played at his seminar. That version sounded very different to the later mixes of Jam, it did not have the strong New Jack Swing influence. A great groove though and from what I remember (which is nothing concrete, sadly, as Brad only played about a minute of it), it was in the same vein as the Slave demo.
 
Good God, the the original version of Chicago...what a vibe!!!
 
STTR Demo is amazing!
An instant MJ all time classic for me. The vocal on that track is out of this fuc*in' world, one of MJ's best in my opinion. Seriously, the intensity in his voice is unbelievable. Just wow!
 
I don't even understand why people are comparing the "new" versions to the original MJ demos at all?

Is anyone comparing the originals on HIStory to the remixes on "Blood On The Dance Floor"? I don't think so,LOL!
I mean, that's just silly. That's all it is folks, those "new" versions are glorified hack job remixes, who even cares? I sure won't listen to them, just like I NEVER listen to remixes, total waste of time.
 
Rated_R_Ron said:
I don't even understand why people are comparing the "new" versions to the original MJ demos at all?

Is anyone comparing the originals on HIStory to the remixes on "Blood On The Dance Floor"? I don't think so,LOL!
I mean, that's just silly. That's all it is folks, those "new" versions are glorified hack job remixes, who even cares? I sure won't listen to them, just like I NEVER listen to remixes, total waste of time.
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That is very dismissive of what they were trying to accomplish here.
 
Rated_R_Ron said:
I don't even understand why people are comparing the "new" versions to the original MJ demos at all?

Is anyone comparing the originals on HIStory to the remixes on "Blood On The Dance Floor"? I don't think so,LOL!
I mean, that's just silly. That's all it is folks, those "new" versions are glorified hack job remixes, who even cares? I sure won't listen to them, just like I NEVER listen to remixes, total waste of time.
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I do. I'm listening to the album on repeat, thoroughly enjoying BOTH the contemporised and original versions.
 
Do You Know Where Your Children Are Demo is bloody brilliant! It really gives of a prince-ish/ 80's vibe with the synthesizer and the drum track. A great gem was unfortunately lost in Timbalands reproduction. The 2010 version was the perfect approach and the song should have went that direction.

The demo is kickass. :D
 
some interesting notes from the album credits

* the 2014 tracks have been mastered by Brian Gardner while the original tracks are mastered by Bernie Grundman

* Bruce Swedien is credited for (main) engineering on the original versions of STTR & Xscape
 
coffre said:
some interesting notes from the album credits

* the 2014 tracks have been mastered by Brian Gardner while the original tracks are mastered by Bernie Grundman

* Bruce Swedien is credited for (main) engineering on the original versions of STTR & Xscape
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Brian Gardner is working for Bernie Grundman Mastering.
 
Rated_R_Ron said:
I don't even understand why people are comparing the "new" versions to the original MJ demos at all?

Is anyone comparing the originals on HIStory to the remixes on "Blood On The Dance Floor"? I don't think so,LOL!
I mean, that's just silly. That's all it is folks, those "new" versions are glorified hack job remixes, who even cares? I sure won't listen to them, just like I NEVER listen to remixes, total waste of time.
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Like it or not, the remixes are the official tracks now.
 
Rated_R_Ron said:
I don't even understand why people are comparing the "new" versions to the original MJ demos at all?

Is anyone comparing the originals on HIStory to the remixes on "Blood On The Dance Floor"? I don't think so,LOL!
I mean, that's just silly. That's all it is folks, those "new" versions are glorified hack job remixes, who even cares? I sure won't listen to them, just like I NEVER listen to remixes, total waste of time.
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Almost all of the original songs were demo's not something to compare with HIStory..
I bet that the songs Michael did with Will.I.Am are closer to the new versions on Xscape then to the original demos of Xscape.
 
Rated_R_Ron said:
I don't even understand why people are comparing the "new" versions to the original MJ demos at all?

Is anyone comparing the originals on HIStory to the remixes on "Blood On The Dance Floor"? I don't think so,LOL!
I mean, that's just silly. That's all it is folks, those "new" versions are glorified hack job remixes, who even cares? I sure won't listen to them, just like I NEVER listen to remixes, total waste of time.
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I know what you mean.
 
They aren't the finished versions. They are remixed demo's. Unless Michael said they are finished, they aren't finished. Period. I know everybody wants to feel like Michael's still here or like it's 2001, 1995 or 1991 again, but don't delude yourselves.
 
Between the demos and new mixes you can get a pretty solid album. I'm just going to pick the best combination of the 16 tracks.
 
Slave to the Rhythm: It's obviously a demo but it's interesting to hear how much it differs from the leaked version we all heard a few years ago. I really like it and the sound fits with the message.
Chicago: I enjoy both versions of this but the original version has such a great feel. It feels moodier. The angry vocals are also more prominent here, whereas a lot more emphasis is placed on the lower register vocals on the Timberland version.
Do You Know Where Your Children Are: Sounds pretty dated but very interesting to hear it. Does anyone know what the story is with the leaked version of this?
 
Can anyone PM me a link to a high quality download of the 2010 leaked version of DYKWYCA please? The one i've got is poor quality. Thanks!
 
cmstrike said:
Good God, the the original version of Chicago...what a vibe!!!
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I agree! It is, without a doubt, my fave song on the entire album....I'd have to say it's one of my fave MJ songs ever, actually...The atmosphere he creates is just something else....
 
WildStyle said:
They aren't the finished versions. They are remixed demo's. Unless Michael said they are finished, they aren't finished. Period. I know everybody wants to feel like Michael's still here or like it's 2001, 1995 or 1991 again, but don't delude yourselves.
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correct even the notes from CD say that

From the album-booklet
Posthumous albums are off course different than albums an artist finishes and releases while at the helm. Michael Jackson`s official canon-the albums, performances and short films he oversaw and realized during his lifetime- is complete. That catalog remains one of the most impressive and durable in the history of music, still inspiring new generations of fans and artists alike.


"Contemporising" Jackson`s songs, then is a kind of parallel track in keeping Jackson's legacy thriving. It is not about replacing what Jackson left behind or even about finishing a specific blueprint, without the artist here, that is impossible. Rather, it is about creatively connecting with his work about finding new and compelling ways to capture the essence, the excitement and the magic that Michael Jackson is.
 
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