Summary:The posthumously released eight-track album from the pop singer features unreleased songs completed between 1983 and 1999 with new production from executive producer L.A. Reid, as well as Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, Rodney Jerkins, John McClain, StarGate, and Timbaland. A deluxe edition includesThe posthumously released eight-track album from the pop singer features unreleased songs completed between 1983 and 1999 with new production from executive producer L.A. Reid, as well as Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, Rodney Jerkins, John McClain, StarGate, and Timbaland. A deluxe edition includes a disc of songs without the current producers input.…Expand
Jackson's music mixed celebration and terror, as if he was unable to find, or maintain, the division between the two. His music offered a place to both explore and escape those tensions. On this album, it does again.
For the most part, Xscape honors [Jackson's] legacy and should help to relieve some of the mistrust that some may have with those in charge of the icon’s estate.
Timbaland and Reid evoke the Michael Jackson we all love and miss, finding songs that are worthy and giving them arrangements that are simultaneously nostalgic and modern. It's a difficult trick to pull off but they largely succeed, so XSCAPE is a worthy and memorable coda to Jackson's career.
Although rejected by the singer in his lifetime, this is pop, not high art, and it has been handled with considerable care, giving us a glimpse, however illusory, of what this extraordinary talent might actually sound like had he lived.
Though the revamps are distractingly overwrought (this project could have been called The 20/20 Xperience), Jackson’s voice, pure and fierce as ever, cuts straight through Timbaland and company’s more-is-more fireworks display.
Excellent MJ vocals (as always), fantastic songs! Producers contemporized the songs did a great job, with respect to Michael Jackson. Plus,Excellent MJ vocals (as always), fantastic songs! Producers contemporized the songs did a great job, with respect to Michael Jackson. Plus, the deluxe version includes the originals as Michael left them. This album is a true gem…Expand
Michael Jackson's second posthumous album release is one he would have been incredibly proud of, had he still have been with us. Very classyMichael Jackson's second posthumous album release is one he would have been incredibly proud of, had he still have been with us. Very classy production, reminiscent of Michael's studio albums. The vocals are immense on this album, very silky and smooth.
This record is a showcase of how spectacular the late Michael Jackson was. Superb.…Expand
I Love All Michael music, but honestly and seriously, this is the best album since Dangerous, better than History and Invicible, and of courseI Love All Michael music, but honestly and seriously, this is the best album since Dangerous, better than History and Invicible, and of course miles away from Michel (2010).
The vocals, the rhythem, the sound, and the most important the soul of our true Micheal are inside this music. A very respectfull work by LA Reid, Timbaland, Darkchild, J-Roc and Stargate.
My Highlights: Slave to the Rhythem, Do you know...?, Blue Gangsta, Xscape and A place whit No Name.
Michael surpases the dead to bring his Magic and show again why is the inmortal King of Pop.…Expand
"XSCAPE" was a nice gift for MJ fans 5 years after his death. The 8 songs on this posthumous album were recorded from 1983 to 1999. The songs"XSCAPE" was a nice gift for MJ fans 5 years after his death. The 8 songs on this posthumous album were recorded from 1983 to 1999. The songs were given a modern production by producers like Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins and StarGate. If you buy the deluxe edition of the album, you even get the original versions of the songs which were all (except for "Slave to the Rhythm") [co-]produced by Michael himself and another new version of "Love Never Felt So Good" featuring Justin Timberlake. What I love about this album is that it doesn’t try to force a modern sound on Michael like his estate did for the biggest part with his first posthumous album "Michael" (2010). Timbaland and the other producers said they thought about what Michael would do if he would’ve been in the studio with them. And I truly believe that this is exactly what an MJ album in 2014 would’ve sounded like. It does have a modern sound but it fits him and it still sounds like Michael. The producers must’ve put a lot of thought into this album, which is great and very respectful. As most of his songs that he released during his lifetime, the majority of the tracks addresses serious issues such as child abuse for example ("Do You Know Where Your Children Are?").
The original versions of the album are of course very good as well (they were produced by the King duh). You do realize why MJ didn’t release them as some of them sound like they are still in early demo stages. The original version of the title track sounds very finished though and is the best of the original versions. You can tell when he recorded these songs without having to look it up on the internet as they all sound like products of their time. "XSCAPE" was a great project. It respects MJ as an artist and gives fans an idea of what he could’ve sounded like these days. I‘m gonna give only 9 instead of 10 points though, as "Loving You" is an annoying song (in both versions) and because I‘m not totally okay with his estate still using him for money. RIP, King. Favorites: A Place With No Name, Slave to the Rhythm & Xscape…Expand
I found this a really enjoyable album this wasn't as good as previous of course s that would be very difficult. But the choices on this albumI found this a really enjoyable album this wasn't as good as previous of course s that would be very difficult. But the choices on this album are brilliant as they all work really well together a solid album and very pleasing to the ears.…Expand
A timely reminder of how mundane and over-rated Jackson was.
Bland, unchallenging, light-weight pop songs - over-produced (by an army ofA timely reminder of how mundane and over-rated Jackson was.
Bland, unchallenging, light-weight pop songs - over-produced (by an army of producers) to prop-up Jackson's mediocre talent.
His relationship songs are unconvincing - precisely because he never had a normal one!
All of his songs are inauthentic - as you'd expect from someone who was never "real".
The usual mix of sickly ballads and harmless dance tracks.
The usual limited vocal gimmicks.
His initial fame I can understand - but his enduring fame is mystifying.
A triumph of USA-style hype over content!
The Emperor has no new clothes - and he's dead! But that will of course change nothing for the faithful...…Expand
