Michael Jackson Xscape | -deluxe Edition- 2014

The deluxe edition of "Xscape" includes 10 additional tracks, making a total of 17 tracks. Some of the notable tracks on the deluxe edition include:

Tracks like the original "Love Never Felt So Good" are sparse and spellbinding, showcasing just Jackson's voice, a piano, some snapping fingers, and two clapping hands. Many purists argue that these original versions better capture Jackson's essence and artistic genius, lamenting that the original recordings feel "good as-is" and that "his essence is best captured on the versions that revisit his old sounds". Listening to both versions side-by-side provides an invaluable music education, demonstrating how a modern production team reinterprets a core melody for a new generation while attempting to preserve its soul.

While the standard edition focuses on "contemporized" versions of these tracks, the Deluxe Edition Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014

The album's lead single, "," was released on May 2, 2014. Available as both a solo reworking and a duet featuring Justin Timberlake, the track was an immediate hit. The duet version reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Michael Jackson his first posthumous top-ten single and his first since "You Rock My World" in 2001. The accompanying music video, directed by Timberlake and Rich Lee, was a nostalgic celebration of Jackson's legacy, interweaving new footage of Timberlake with classic scenes from Jackson's iconic short films like "Thriller," "Bad," and "Billie Jean".

A reimagining of the classic 1972 track "A Horse with No Name" by America. Recorded in 1998, Jackson's original demo is a guitar-driven mid-tempo track. Stargate contemporized it by morphing it into an upbeat, infectious dance record driven by a bassline reminiscent of "The Way You Make Me Feel." The deluxe edition of "Xscape" includes 10 additional

The title track, originally cut from Invincible . Jackson sings about escaping the pressures of fame and systemic control. Rodney Jerkins updated his own production by tightening the percussion and adding electronic flourishes, ensuring it maintained its aggressive, industrial edge. Cultural Impact and Legacy

The eight core songs span several decades of Jackson's creative output: The duet version reached number nine on the

For longtime fans, disc two is the reason to buy the Deluxe Edition. These are the raw, unpolished demos—some recorded as early as 1980 ("Love Never Felt So Good") and as late as 2007 ("Xscape"). Listening to these reveals the genius of Michael Jackson the arranger and vocalist, separate from any trendy production.

The Deluxe Edition is widely considered the definitive way to experience this release. It includes: Modernized Versions

The Deluxe Edition’s structure is its core innovation. Disc 1 features eight tracks “contemporized” by executive producer L.A. Reid and Timbaland. These versions are not mere remixes but complete structural overhauls—adding trap hi-hats, orchestral swells, and modern EDM drops (e.g., "Love Never Felt So Good" featuring Justin Timberlake). Disc 2 contains the “Original Versions” from 1983–1999, raw in form with Jackson’s guide vocals, incomplete lyrics, and dated synthesizers. This bifurcation allows the listener to compare producer intervention against source material, creating a transparent audit trail.

9. Love Never Felt So Good (original version) (3:19) 10. Chicago (original version) (4:43) 11. Loving You (original version) (3:02) 12. A Place with No Name (original version) (4:55) 13. Slave to the Rhythm (original version) (4:35) 14. Do You Know Where Your Children Are (original version) (4:39) 15. Blue Gangsta (original version) (4:16) 16. Xscape (original version) (5:44) 17. Love Never Felt So Good (feat. Justin Timberlake) (4:05).