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Michael: The REAL Story Behind The Album

ivy said:
The problems is that no one is putting their money where their mouth is - not the Jacksons not any of the fans.
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Ivy, it's way too premature to say that.

I'd hazard a guess that if such an action were to be filed, it would be sometime between February and April 2011, or whenever any new evidence of substance might come to light notwithstanding the statute of limitations
 
ivy said:
sorry but that's just a cop out. Single handedly people brought down tobacco companies, biggest corporations. Have you ever seen Erin Brockovich? I don't care how big Sony is. All you need is one determined person and an actual crime of fraud.

Simple: raise enough money (only few thousand dollars) and get an expert to examine the vocals. If it comes back "fake" , file a lawsuit against Sony. Say that you are expecting it to turn into a class action lawsuit. Post on every MJ forum about the lawsuit and ask people to join your lawsuit. Shortly you'll have a class action lawsuit against Sony with millions of people. Share your expert report with other people and ask them to file similar lawsuit in their countries/ states. Then you'll have multiple lawsuits against them. It will be like a domino effect.

there's no such thing as getting away. If there's a will there's a way.

The problems is that no one is putting their money where their mouth is - not the Jacksons not any of the fans.

or perhaps they all know that they are just stirring the pot with no backing proof hence no legal action.
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You make so much sense. This post should be sticky, because really the nay-sayers have no ground to stand on, unless they take the appropriate action. Now all they do is divide the fand and potentially damage Michael's legacy by not buying the album. This crusade is going nowhere. Please stop it!
 
JMie said:
well, you made some serious accusation about a person, so I was asking if you could back them up with some proof.
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I made no accusation at all, and yes, I can back this up 100% with unequivocal proof.

At least one mod here can confirm what I say to be true.

Ask Raffles, he should give you straight answer.

you want more than this, or is it just prurient curiosity on your part?
 
Go Flying said:
Ivy, it's way too premature to say that.

I'd hazard a guess that if such an action were to be filed, it would be sometime between February and April 2011, or whenever any new evidence of substance might come to light notwithstanding the statute of limitations
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I can easily say that about the Jacksons because they are in a different ballpark. They don't need to make a consumer fraud claim. Katherine and the kids are the beneficiary of the estate, 3T are the contingent beneficiaries, they could have gone to the probate court and stop/delay etc the album. Remember when Taj went to court and spoke against the memorabilia tour saying that he didn't think it's not best for his uncle's legacy. remember when they said in court that they weren't happy with the rushed release date of TII as it could sacrifice quality. Remember how Joe tried to remove executors claiming fraud on their part. Where's the similar for the album? Twitter is not the place to fight your battles.

As far as for fans I'm waiting but I'm not holding my breath.
 
Go Flying said:
I made no accusation at all, and yes, I can back this up 100% with unequivocal proof.

At least one mod here can confirm what I say to be true.

Ask Raffles, he should give you straight answer.

you want more than this, or is it just prurient curiosity on your part?
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don't want to go any more off-topic, so sent you a pm.
 
Korgnex said:
That's simply. The other tracks are typical studio recordings that Michael put his soul into, their production is superb and the songs are finished.

"We all want to believe it"? Okay, I assume you maybe want it, yes.

But from what "damien" or "tristan" & others are writing, I would say: No, they don't want it to be Michael. They don't like what Teddy Riley, Neff-U etc. have made with the songs, they don't like the production, they call it crappy. And they think the inserted ad-libs from older tracks would be a sign of fake, but it's a sign of fragmentariness.

They don't want to accept that Michael can be imperfect and they deny the existence of rough recordings that were done with the Cascios. They think it's fake because earlier demos or "Hold My Hand" don't sound like this. That's right, but they forgot about how these vocals were recorded.


I can understand their doubts though. But what I CANNOT understand is that they really want to associate these recordings with Jason Malachi.
They're saying they have listened to every song by Jason and still they can't distinguish between rough vocal takes (Cascio tracks) by MJ that have been heavily overworked for inclusion on "Michael" and the songs by Jason.

With all respect, the association with Malachi is the biggest BS ever claimed by fans. It's the only thing why I'm getting emotionally about the whole situation sometimes. I personally don't want to read anything more about the Jason guy.

Not only have I informed about him some years ago to stop the false tagging on youTube & Co., now I have to cope with the situation that some fans really think Sony, the MJ Estate and/or the Cascios would cooperate with this little underground "star" that is only known on some MJ forums.


Well, that's my take on this issue as an audio expert. Some (yeah, a few people) are saying I would have lost my credibility.
I would say I have retained and ensured my professional objectivity.
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Hi Korgnex,

Agree with a lot of your points.

However, not all fans are the same.

For one, I didn't pay any attention to the Jackson's claims, do not rate nor think Jason is singing on the record (nor am I interested in him) and certainly don't see Sony as anything other than a corporate entity. I have never believed in any of the far-fetched conspiracy claims about Sony, AEG or anyone else for that matter. Quite the opposite, in fact, I believe that at times, Michael Jackson has been his own worst enemy.

I also agree 100% that it is illogical for Sony or the Estate to take a chance on releasing recordings that are fake. I also agree that it seems odd that a family that Michael trusted, the Cascios, would betray him in such a way.

However, even if Michael is singing on these songs (which as you know, I don't believe) then the fact that it doesn't sound like him, that 50% or more of fans dont think it's him and the fact that any audiologists were hired in the first place means that the songs should not have, in my opinion, be on the "new" album.

I don't like any of the songs I've heard so far from the Cascio "sessions" but that's just personal opinion. The melodies I wake up with are from the leaked songs, ones that no one is arguing about.

I do think the Estate/Sony/Cascios should provide some actual proof, in whatever form, because badly written statements and claims with no evidence don't mean very much...

All fans, those against the recordings and those who want to embrace them would like some proof if even to prove their point. What's important to remember is that we are all MJ fans, whatever our opinion and it's only out of love for our hero that this constant arguing is going on...
 
czechstar said:
badly written statements and claims with no evidence don't mean very much...

All fans, those against the recordings and those who want to embrace them would like some proof if even to prove their point. .
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Bring on the proof then! No one has been able to show a single piece of evidence that the tracks are not legitimate. Not one single person.

The Estate made their statement and said that they had forensic evidence to back up the fact that these songs are Michael. They've done their part... if anyone continues to feel that the songs are not legitimate, then they need to FILE A LAWSUIT. Get a forensic expert of their own to analyze the tracks, and use their findings as evidence against Sony and the Estate.

Here would be a good place for you to start: http://www.owlinvestigations.com/

$3,500 minimum for digital voice identification between one known and one unknown.

I'm so tired of people saying that the songs are fake as though it's fact. It's not. No one has ANY proof.
 
ivy said:
The problems is that no one is putting their money where their mouth is - not the Jacksons not any of the fans.

or perhaps they all know deep down that they are just stirring the pot with no backing proof hence no legal action.
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This! Ivy I love you this for this post! :D
 
cppounders said:
Bring on the proof then! No one has been able to show a single piece of evidence that the tracks are not legitimate. Not one single person.

The Estate made their statement and said that they had forensic evidence to back up the fact that these songs are Michael. They've done their part... if anyone continues to feel that the songs are not legitimate, then they need to FILE A LAWSUIT. Get a forensic expert of their own to analyze the tracks, and use their findings as evidence against Sony and the Estate.

Here would be a good place for you to start: http://www.owlinvestigations.com/

$3,500 minimum for digital voice identification between one known and one unknown.

I'm so tired of people saying that the songs are fake as though it's fact. It's not. No one has ANY proof.
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I think my post was fair and balanced and accepted other people's point of view. There's no point going back and forth on this and the "get a lawyer" argument is just childish and dismissive of people's genuine concerns... Until anyone buys a product that may, or may not be fraudulent, there is nothing than can be done...

Your argument is can also be reversed.

No one has been able to show a single piece of evidence that the tracks ARE legitimate...
 
czechstar said:
... There's no point going back and forth on this and the "get a lawyer" argument is just childish and dismissive of people's genuine concerns... Until anyone buys a product that may, or may not be fraudulent, there is nothing than can be done...

Your argument is can also be reversed.

No one has been able to show a single piece of evidence that the tracks ARE legitimate...
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You don't understand:
There is no need for the Estate/Sony, to put out further evidence.
Because there is no legal claim that the vocals are fake!
It's all only bickering & whining on forums & twitter!

Like you said yourself:
Buy the album when it's out, take a good lawyer & sue Sony / Estate, whom ever you want!
Or as Ivy put it: Put your money where your mouth is!
There is nothing childish about that. It's only that you can't argue against it, because it's a simple solution. Back your claims by legal action, go to court & we speak after the verdict is done!

If you don't wanna do it, or if you can't, simply don't spoil this GREAT TIME for all the others!
 
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czechstar said:
I think my post was fair and balanced and accepted other people's point of view. There's no point going back and forth on this and the "get a lawyer" argument is just childish and dismissive of people's genuine concerns... Until anyone buys a product that may, or may not be fraudulent, there is nothing than can be done...

Your argument is can also be reversed.

No one has been able to show a single piece of evidence that the tracks ARE legitimate...
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How is it childish? That's the proper course of action to take, and the one that could have the most successful outcome if it were to find that they tracks were not legitimate.

Sony and the Estate made their statement. It's kinda like the idea of "innocent until proven guilty." Anyone who were to file a lawsuit against Sony or the Estate for fake tracks would have to be able to PROVE that the tracks were fake. Sony and the Estate don't have to prove that they are legitimate; it's the other way around.
 
czechstar said:
Your argument is can also be reversed.

No one has been able to show a single piece of evidence that the tracks ARE legitimate...
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true but not quite

Sony/estate at least claims that they have the proof to back up their claims. If this were to go to trial and they weren't able to show those reports they would be in more trouble as they are releasing falsified statements that contribute to the consumer fraud.
 
This one's @ Korgnex.. basically a copy/paste of my response at Max Jax considering u attacked me with copy/paste posts on both forums. My reply:

I DO want to hear Mj on all these tracks. Ask the member at Max Jax "tabloidjunk" who I was on the phone to right until the second Breaking News streamed. I was soooo excited for the first new legit Mj track produced by Teddy Riley. I was strong in the opinion that those who claimed the vocals were fake (the jackson's), were attention seeking, jealous angry outcasts who wanted to sabotage the album out of spite. I refused to believe the vocals would be fake and advised everyone to ignore the jackson's and wait for the songs as proof.

Then, I heard Breaking News and after hearing it, everything changed.

For me, it's not Michael. It's not our King of Pop. And that's based ONLY on LISTENING to the tracks myself. No outside influence.

I feel JOY when I hear MJ's voice. Makes me feel good. Always. And on these tracks, for me there is not only no joyous feeling, but the opposite. A sickening feeling. I am not hearing MJ's voice at all, as much as I want to! U think I WANT the album I've been craving for 9 years to be fraudulent? No, I don't. No one does. But I'm going to be true to my feelings and opinion. It won't sway.

I'm not going to pretend to hear his voice on a track (there's 5 tracks so far I've heard which I don't personally deem to be MJ singing) when in my ears AND my heart, his voice is no where to be found.

You don't agree with me. That's okay. We all have opinions. I will continue to express mine as you continue to express yours. We're all welcome to do that being that this is a DISCUSSION forum.

But don't call me out as the problem here. I don't care if you think i have influence over other members opinions. Or if anyone else thinks I do. I think it's outlandish to suggest so. People make their own mind's up. I think what I think for my own personal reasons. So do others. You think it's MJ. Thats fine too!

I'm a fan on equal level as all of you and although some of you believe it's MJ (which is fine if you choose to) MY heart is broken over what I believe to be a massive scam. Again, thats what I PERSONALLY think based on hearing the songs alone.

That's my thoughts.

Please don't suggest you know my motives, or thought process, or reasoning. You don't. I just post what I feel and believe.
 
The whole album thing should go to trial IMO. After all the damage this mess has caused from the division of the Michael Jackson fan community to the shadow it casts on his legacy if the Cascio tracks are indeed fake, for it to continue on and on indefinitely is ridiculous, disgusting, hurtful and completely unnecessary. Whoever can do it, both sides of the issue need to get their act together, take it to court and prove their claims. This needs to be dealt with once and for all. Period.
 
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damien shields said:
This one's @ Korgnex.. basically a copy/paste of my response at Max Jax considering u attacked me with copy/paste posts on both forums. My reply:

I DO want to hear Mj on all these tracks. Ask the member at Max Jax "tabloidjunk" who I was on the phone to right until the second Breaking News streamed. I was soooo excited for the first new legit Mj track produced by Teddy Riley. I was strong in the opinion that those who claimed the vocals were fake (the jackson's), were attention seeking, jealous angry outcasts who wanted to sabotage the album out of spite. I refused to believe the vocals would be fake and advised everyone to ignore the jackson's and wait for the songs as proof.

Then, I heard Breaking News and after hearing it, everything changed.

For me, it's not Michael. It's not our King of Pop. And that's based ONLY on LISTENING to the tracks myself. No outside influence.

I feel JOY when I hear MJ's voice. Makes me feel good. Always. And on these tracks, for me there is not only no joyous feeling, but the opposite. A sickening feeling. I am not hearing MJ's voice at all, as much as I want to! U think I WANT the album I've been craving for 9 years to be fraudulent? No, I don't. No one does. But I'm going to be true to my feelings and opinion. It won't sway.

I'm not going to pretend to hear his voice on a track (there's 5 tracks so far I've heard which I don't personally deem to be MJ singing) when in my ears AND my heart, his voice is no where to be found.

You don't agree with me. That's okay. We all have opinions. I will continue to express mine as you continue to express yours. We're all welcome to do that being that this is a DISCUSSION forum.

But don't call me out as the problem here. I don't care if you think i have influence over other members opinions. Or if anyone else thinks I do. I think it's outlandish to suggest so. People make their own mind's up. I think what I think for my own personal reasons. So do others. You think it's MJ. Thats fine too!

I'm a fan on equal level as all of you and although some of you believe it's MJ (which is fine if you choose to) MY heart is broken over what I believe to be a massive scam. Again, thats what I PERSONALLY think based on hearing the songs alone.

That's my thoughts.

Please don't suggest you know my motives, or thought process, or reasoning. You don't. I just post what I feel and believe.
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Thank you Damien... I hear you and I feel kind of the same, couldn't have expressed it better...

To all those who're attacking you... can't believe actually how hard people can be. :(

I understand your wish to leave this forum at this point. :(
 
ivy said:
sorry but that's just a cop out. Single handedly people brought down tobacco companies, biggest corporations. Have you ever seen Erin Brockovich? I don't care how big Sony is. All you need is one determined person and an actual crime of fraud.

Simple: raise enough money (only few thousand dollars) and get an expert to examine the vocals. If it comes back "fake" , file a lawsuit against Sony. Say that you are expecting it to turn into a class action lawsuit. Post on every MJ forum about the lawsuit and ask people to join your lawsuit. Shortly you'll have a class action lawsuit against Sony with millions of people. Share your expert report with other people and ask them to file similar lawsuit in their countries/ states. Then you'll have multiple lawsuits against them. It will be like a domino effect.

there's no such thing as getting away. If there's a will there's a way.

The problems is that no one is putting their money where their mouth is - not the Jacksons not any of the fans.

or perhaps they all know deep down that they are just stirring the pot with no backing proof hence no legal action.
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Thank You!!!!

Everyone who keeps claiming the songs are fake...put your money where your big ass MOUTH is and sue Sony when the album drops...just 12 days left.

Sony and the Estate don't have to prove that the casico songs are real (though they did) it's YOU who has to prove that there Fake. So round up all your MJ cd's (from Off the Wall to Invincible), get "MICHAEL" (or steal it, whatever works for you), raise some money (I'm sure the 40 or 50% of fans who claim there not going to buy the album can get together and get that money), Hire YOUR own "expert" and SUE BABY SUE!

Maybe ya'll can contact come of the Jackson via twitter and get them on board.
 
“Best of Joy” is one of the very last songs Michael was working on
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So it's a new non-Cascio-Track? That'll be interesting :D

In 2004, Michael, with the help of his then-attorney, John Branca, ended his relationship with Sony Music and its then CEO, Tommy Mottola. In the intervening years, Michael had been working on music intended for a forthcoming release, drawing up its creative blueprints and recording tracks that would provide the foundation while, at the same time, the regime at Sony Music changed and Michael developed good relations with its current executives, working with them on the 25th Anniversary album commemorating “Thriller” in 2008. Michael was delighted to personally receive special multi-platinum discus for the project at a reception held by Sony Music in Los Angeles in February 2009.
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Did you read that, Sony-bashers? ;)
 
kreen said:
Hey, Damien's a hell of a fan, he's got contacts with Sony Music Australia, and he's one of the people who actually contribute intelligently to these boards.
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He's got contacts with Sony Music, so he's a hell of a fan??!!!

Are you kidding?

I apologize to Damian. I was rude. But comes a time when you explode:bomb::blowup:. He writes ironies all the time about the songs. People here are destroying every thread.

Apologies again Damian. I just wish I could go into the forum without that hell in every single thread. Is It possible??
 
Michael please help us, guide us through this maze...love you and miss you more with each passing day...
 
Introduction

Michael Jackson passed away as his vision was taking shape for his next album, working diligently on songs he expressly wanted to share with his fans.
These songs could simply have become part of the rich legacy of unreleased work left behind by one of the world’s great artists. But as it soon became clear to both the Michael Jackson Estate and Sony Music, there was an obligation not only to Michael’s fans but to Michael himself not to let this amazing music gather dust in a vault. It was decided the album that was taking shape needed to be properly completed and released in a thoughtful, dignified way that would honor Michael’s legacy.
While Michael was not there to complete the tracks as only he could, he had left behind a unique roadmap mapping out his creative vision in the form of notes and detailed conversations with the people he was working with as well as those he was planning to work with.
This enabled everyone involved in “Michael” to follow his voice and the guiding hand they felt was present in helping them complete the album. For those who generously lent their creative talents to “Michael,” this was a labor of love honoring someone who had inspired all of them.
How “Michael” came together
“Michael” had been evolving as Michael Jackson albums would.


In 2004, Michael, with the help of his then-attorney, John Branca, ended his relationship with Sony Music and its then CEO, Tommy Mottola. In the intervening years, Michael had been working on music intended for a forthcoming release, drawing up its creative blueprints and recording tracks that would provide the foundation while, at the same time, the regime at Sony Music changed and Michael developed good relations with its current executives, working with them on the 25th Anniversary album commemorating “Thriller” in 2008. Michael was delighted to personally receive special multi-platinum discus for the project at a reception held by Sony Music in Los Angeles in February 2009.
As work for the new album resumed, he would slowly narrow down the tracks and refine them as his vision took shape. Much of the recording was taking place out of the public eye and in secret. Akon noted in an interview that after their song “Hold My Hand” was leaked to the Internet due to a security breach, both he and Michael became extremely cautious about the location of any work they might do to protect it from being exploited in that way again.

Akon: “Well, after that experience, we all became super protective. More so him, though. You know, he was like “Okay, we gotta figure this out. Now, we’re gonna work out of the house. I’m not working at the studio no more.”

Nonetheless, Michael still was aiming to write, record and release his artistry to his fans. Neff-U (Ron Feemster) in an interview told of being around Michael shortly before his passing, and witnessing a renewed passion in Michael for writing music and sharing it with the world. He said:

Neff-U: “But he was, like, "We've got to give the world a gift. We have to give them these songs…”
Interviewer: “And so, the process--Would he come with lyrics? Would he make them up as he went along? Did he say, "I want to write a song about this today?" “
Neff-U: “No. He was, like, "How you feel?" I was, like, "I feel good." I was, like, "How you feel?" He was, like, "I feel good." And he was, like, "Let's see what happens." And the fireplace would be on, even during the summertime. You know, it was just the whole atmosphere, it was really cool. Um, and I would start to play, and he would just start to hum. And then, the next thing you know, the lyrics would come. And--And the song would start developing itself.”

Several people, including Neff-U, Eddie Cascio and Frank Dileo, Michael’s manager at the time of his passing, knew of Michael’s plans to continue recording once he relocated to England for the start of what would have been the O2 performances, the rehearsals of which were featured in the hit film “Michael Jackson’s This is It.”

Eddie Cascio: “The plan was to continue the recording process over in London, and on the days off or the weeks off that he had, you know, we would be, you know, working at a studio that he was gonna have put in at his home in London…He had made it clear that, you know, that he wanted-- he wanted me to be out there and to-- to continue working on the music…You know, he had every intention to entertain his fans once again through his music.”

After an inventory was taken by the Estate of the songs Michael had been working on, the decision was made that to bring Michael’s artistry to completion and to do it proper justice, many of the very producers and talent he trusted his work to in life or those he had planned to work with would be asked to bring his vision to reality. Using the blueprints Michael provided with his notes, his voice and the creative ideas he had shared, they took the songs in various stages of production and completed the album.
For Akon, it was an opportunity to finally finish “Hold My Hand,” a song that had not been ready for the world to hear when it leaked out on the Internet after he and Michael recorded it.

Akon: “But its time has definitely come; now in its final state, it has become an incredible, beautiful, anthemic song. I’m so proud to have had the chance to work with Michael, one of my all time idols.”

In an interview, Akon added that he felt a responsibility that the song should be heard and released through the proper channels.

Akon: “You know, I wanted his children, more so than anything, to benefit off this record, 'cause that's what he would've wanted, you know, and his family to properly be able to sit back and say, "He left something behind that we can all benefit and cherish."

He continued:

“So far, I haven't heard any, you know, complaints from anyone involved, so I know that everything is going the way it's supposed. So, it feels good knowing that his property now is gonna have the showcase opportunity that it was supposed to, and that feels good. That feels great. Like, that feels better than anything, knowing that it's now gonna be properly presented to the world.”

Three of the tracks have relatively mundane origins. Michael had a longstanding friendship with the Cascios, a suburban family he got to know because patriarch Dominic was one of the managers at the Helmsley Palace Hotel, where Michael regularly stayed while visiting New York. He was welcomed into the home of Dominic and Connie for dinners as a respite from his hectic life as a superstar artist, and became a mentor to sons, Eddie and Frank, who growing up had musical aspirations.

In 2007, Michael and his family spent four months staying with the Cascio family at their Bergen County home, which had a simple home recording studio in which the tracks for “Breaking News,” “Monster,” and “Keep Your Head Up”’ were recorded. Frank Dileo, Michael’s former manager, has confirmed that he spoke to Michael by telephone at the Cascio's home studio several times while he was recording with them, and said Michael “was excited and enthused by the music and the experience.”

While these vocals may have been “guide vocals,” or in demo form, it does not detract in any way from their quality or their authenticity. In fact, since the announcement that “Monster” is to be one of the tracks included on “Michael,” 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) has confirmed that Michael contacted him personally about his desire to collaborate on this track. The day the track list for the album was announced publicly, 50 Cent sent a message to his fans on Twitter that “michael reached out to me to do this song before he passed it going to be the biggest thing ever. hes the one we got our idea from”.

In a subsequent interview in advance of the release of “Michael,” 50 Cent described how his DJ told him Michael was interested. He said:

50 Cent: “…he was interested in working with me, and he said he had something he wanted me to actually hear, a song that he created that he would be perfect for us to collaborate on…”
adding…
50 Cent: So, you know, it's, like, I was aware of the actual song, that there was something that he wanted to do, and I said I'd collaborate with him. I wanted to do the record.”

Likewise, Teddy Riley, who had worked with Michael since 1991 on Dangerous, HIStory, The Addams Family Values project and Invincible, knew Michael’s work intimately. He listened to the music before becoming involved in helping finish “Michael” and producing two of the three Cascio tracks, “Monster” and “Breaking News.” He knew it was his friend’s voice when he heard it and The Finisher, as Michael affectionately called him, did what he always did when coming in on a project with Michael. He said:

Teddy Riley: “Needless to say, we spent months and months in the studio together. The times I spent with Michael were very important, dear, special, and learning experiences. I studied Michael and everything about him from day one. I know Michael's voice in every range; I've explored Michael's vocal ability from baritone and tenor to alto and soprano. As the years went by, I've witnessed his tones changing, sometimes up or down. My feeling on the authenticity of his vocals on this album (another masterpiece) are that they were all done by Michael in different places and in different climates. The vocals sounded very polished, very on key and processed. I have no doubts that these are Michael's vocals. I stand for myself with no discrimination.”

While much of the album stems from new inspirations and work Michael was doing with contemporary artists he wanted to work with, as was often the case some songs fermented over time until they found the right album. Two songs on “Michael” - “Much Too Soon” and “Behind the Mask” -- fit the spirit of those songs that Michael would eventually find homes for. In fact, it was John McClain, one of the co-executors of the Estate and a producer for the song “This Is It” released last year on the companion album for the highly acclaimed documentary, “Michael Jackson’s This Is It”, who chose to work on both songs himself. “Much Too Soon” was written around the time of “Thriller” but Michael had never found the right album for it. “Behind the Mask” also had its origins in the 1980s when Michael heard the music performed by the Yellow Magic Orchestra, and contacted Ryiuchi Sakamoto asking for permission to write lyrics for it.

The “authenticity” of three tracks

The debut of “Breaking News,” one of three tracks on the album Michael recorded in the New Jersey home of the Cascio family, led some to cast doubt on the “authenticity” of these songs. This triggered no shortage of bizarre theories by people seeking attention and those claiming to have knowledge of a vast conspiracy. One London tabloid printed a claim by a Michael impersonator from Italy armed with these “facts”: He thinks he may have recorded tracks in secret in a studio in Switzerland “after being approached by a man, whom he thinks was from Bahrain, to record the studio sessions, and paid 2000 Euros per track.”

Mindful of the importance of Michael’s legacy and how much he valued his fans, both the Michael Jackson Estate and Sony Music went to even greater lengths on their own to authenticate the tracks before it was even announced they would be included on the album. As Estate attorney Howard Weitzman detailed in a letter circulated among Michael’s fans:

• 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 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 film, “Michael Jackson’s This Is It”, listened to the Cascio tracks and said the lead vocal was Michael Jackson.
• 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, all listened to the music and they all reconfirmed their belief that the lead vocals were Michael’s voice on the Cascio tracks.
• Two of the nation’s preeminent forensic musicologists in the United States independently evaluated the tracks using audio analysis. Both reported that the lead vocals analyzed were those of Michael.
• Two prominent persons in the music industry who played crucial roles in Michael’s career, were also played the music and both believe that the lead vocals were Michael’s.
As a result, Sony Music concluded: “We have complete confidence in the results of our extensive research as well as the accounts of those who were in the studio with Michael that the vocals on the new album are his own.”
And the album was mastered and prepared for release using a mural created by artist, Kadir Nelson, as its cover. The mural is the visual story of Michael’s life and career and acknowledges those people and events that influenced him.

MICHAEL’S SONGS:

1. Hold My Hand (Duet with Akon)
Written by Aliaune Thiam, Giorgio Tuinfort, Claude Kelly
Produced by Akon, Giorgio Tuinfort & Michael Jackson

“Hold My Hand” debuted as the first single. Recorded with Akon in 2008 in Las Vegas, it leaked out and was never released. Akon completed the song, with a music video to premiere December 9. “Hold My Hand” was written by Akon, Giorgio Tuinfort, Claude Kelly and produced by Akon, Giorgio Tuinfort and Michael Jackson.

2. Hollywood Tonight
Written by Michael Jackson, Brad Buxer/Spoken Bridge Written by Teddy Riley
Produced by Teddy Riley, Michael Jackson/Co-Produced by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster

Written by Michael during the time of the Invincible album, Michael pulled the track out of the archives in 2007 to work on the song with producer Ron “Neff-U” Feemster, Hollywood Tonight was written by Michael Jackson; the spoken bridge was written by Teddy Riley and the track was produced by Teddy Riley, Michael Jackson with co-producer by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster.

3. Keep Your Head Up
Written by Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio, James Porte
Produced by C “Tricky” Stewart, Angelikson, Michael Jackson

In 2007, Michael wrote that inspirational ode with Eddie Cascio and James Porte in New Jersey. Keep Your Head Up was produced by Tricky Stewart, Angelikson, and Michael Jackson.

4. (I Like) The Way You Love Me
Written by Michael Jackson
Produced by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster, Michael Jackson

This song was originally released in its early stages of development as a demo on Ultimate Collection in 2004; it was song that Michael loved and was finishing in Los Angeles. The Way You Love Me was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster and Michael Jackson.

5. Monster (Featuring 50 Cent)
Written by Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio, James Porte/Rap Lyrics Written by Curtis Jackson
Produced by Teddy Riley, Angelikson, Michael Jackson

Recorded in New Jersey in 2007 at the Cascio home, Michael actually recorded some of his background vocals through a PVC pipe for the song. The song also features the rap of 50 Cent, who Michael had contacted about the collaboration. Monster was written by Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio and James Porte with Rap Lyrics Written by Curtis Jackson. It was produced by Teddy Riley, Angelikson and Michael Jackson.

6. Best Of Joy
Written by Michael Jackson
Produced by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster, Michael Jackson
Co-Produced by Brad Buxer

“Best of Joy” is one of the very last songs Michael was working on and had planned to continue to work on while in London for the O2 arena shows in Summer 2009. The song was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster, Michael Jackson and co-producer by Brad Buxer.


7. Breaking News
Written by Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio, James Porte
Produced by Teddy Riley, Angelikson, Michael Jackson

“Breaking News” recorded the song in 2007 in the New Jersey home of the Cascio family. Writers on the song are Michael Jackson as well as Eddie Cascio and James Porte. The song was produced by Teddy Riley, (Eddie Cascio & James Porte) Angelikson and Michael Jackson.

8. (I Can’t Make It) Another Day (Featuring Lenny Kravitz)
Written by Lenny Kravitz
Produced by Lenny Kravitz
Co-Produced by Michael Jackson

Recorded as a demo with Lenny Kravitz during the Invincible era, the song unexpectedly leaked in 2008 prompting Lenny to finish the song. Dave Grohl is the featured drummer on the track. Written by Lenny Kravitz and produced Lenny Kravitz and Michael Jackson.

9. Behind The Mask
Written by Michael Jackson, Chris Mosdell, Ryuichi Sakamoto
Produced by Michael Jackson, John McClain

After hearing "Behind The Mask" as performed by Yellow Magic Orchestra, Michael contacted Ryiuchi Sakamoto asking for permission to add his lyrics on the track. It was recently completed by John McClain. The song is written by Michael Jackson, Chris Mosdell and Ryuichi Sakamoto and produced by Michael Jackson and John McClain. “Behind The Mask” contains a sample of the recording "Behind The Mask" as performed by Yellow Magic Orchestra.


10. Much Too Soon
Written by Michael Jackson
Produced by Michael Jackson, John McClain

“Much Too Soon” was written at time of Thriller. But never found the right home on an album. The song was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Michael Jackson and John McClain. David Campbell is featured on the strings.

Conclusion
What does the future hold for the incredible wealth of other amazing tracks Michael left behind? The immediate goal of both the Estate and Sony was to complete this album that Michael had set out to make, selecting the combination of tracks that best represented the mixture of new creativity and vintage sounds Michael liked to combine. While it is too early to announce specific future projects, it is safe to say that given how much Michael valued his fans the selection and release of those works will be done in a way that properly honors his legacy.
 
czechstar said:
So, they are now resorting to a cute "sang through PVC pipe that's why it doesn't sound like Michael" story...?

Where are the snippets of him singing them before production? rough cuts, the extensive notes he wrote? where are the reports from the audiologists? why are adlibs from other songs featured? why do they need to overproduce the songs? why not release the fantastic genuine songs like BG? where is any proof that it's Michael? oh, that's right, there isn't any!

i want to hear him in the songs, so badly, but i dont and no amount of crud from the estate/sony is gonna change my mind until there is evidence, facts and proof, not just this guff they keep releasing.
Click to expand...
This.
 
Re: Michael - The Album Story

Thanks, great to hear the behind the scenes thinking on these track selections.
 
Re: Michael - The Album Story

Thanks for posting this Gaz 8)
 
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