Music Banter - View Single Post - Michael Jackson-XSCAPE

~~Soulflower~~ · 05-17-2014, 12:30 PM

^ Thanks love!

This link has 5 of the re-worked songs.

However when you scroll down to 4, 6, 7 they are the ORIGINAL demos so check them out. They are NOT the re-worked songs.

The first track features Justin Timberfake but not the one with just MJ's vocals

LISTEN: Michael Jackson's Xscape New Full Album [MP3 STREAM] | HEAVY

My Review:

The re-worked songs

1. Love Never Felt So Good

Great album opener. This was one of Timberland's better re worked tracks. This tributes the Off The Wall album and has a nice rich 70's grove. The track was originally recorded in 1983 and Michael's vocals are FLAWLESS like sweet butter. I love the classic sound but the fun aspect about it as well. It is a nice summer jam for sure. Did I say that MJ's vocals are flawless?

2. Chicago

When I first heard this song I originally did not like what Timberland had done with the production because I thought the song was overproduced. I personally like the original much better because the production on the original fits well with the theme of the song.

However, this re-worked song has grown on me and it is not as overproduced as I thought but I still prefer the original. The re-worked version is very urban and modernized.

The original demo sounds more eerie and dark. It sounds like a 90's R&B song. Dr. Freeze worked on the original demo. I love his work!

3. Lovin’ You

This another one of Timberland's better tracks. Michaels vocals are everything. The song sounds modernized but it has a old school flare. It is very catchy and mellow. The lyrics are beautiful. The original demo is just MJ snapping his fingers and I still really love it. The re-worked track is good to.

4. A Place With No Name

Timberland did a HORRIBLE job on this song. Horrible. The production is awful.

The original demo is WAYYYYY better. Michael covers America bands "A Horse With No Name". The demo pays homage to the sounds and production of the cover song. I like the original because it sounds country/western and the lyrics match with that particular production.

5. Slave To The Rhythm

Timberland did a HORRIBLE horrible job.

The ORIGINAL demo is BETTER! I LOVEEEEE the demo for this song. Teddy Riley I believed worked on the demo that was originally intended for Michael's 1991 Dangerous Release.

The original demo is a sexy smooth New Jack Swing song. You can not help but get down on the dance floor to it. I could only imagine what MJ could have did for a music video, would have been epic!

6. Do You Know Where Your Children Are

Timberland did an AWFUL job lol I can't stand Timbo why did they have him re-worked these songs???

He did way to much overproducing.

The original is WAY better

7. Blue Gangsta

I love this song! It is dark and eerie. The intro is really really dark before you hear MJ's vocals. Michael is singing low and haunting. The production is very good although modernized. It fits the theme.

I think this song is about Lisa Marie Presly because he makes references to a relationship in back in "1995"

He sings:

"You tricked me "95"
"left and you said a crime"
"People telling me, you've got another guy"
"I've been abused, watch me light in fuse"
"Said you'd be my wife, nothing but big lies"

She did him dirty so I wouldn't be surprised if it was. Just an assumption because that is the year they divorced and she actually did trick him but that is another discussion.....

The original demo is stellar as well.

Ok I am rambling again back on topic...

8. Xscape

THIS SONG IS FIREEEEE!!! They had Rodney Jerkins do this cut and he put his foot in it!!! I've always liked Jerkins as a producer anyway, not to mention he has actually worked with MJ in the past.

This song has the illest hardest intro in the world. The MJ breathing and beat boxing is EPIC! and then when the beat drops OMG.

MJ's vocals are hard, rough, and very low compared to how he usually sings.

This is a club banger for sure!

I actually prefer this song over the original demo but the original demo is good as well.

Final Thoughts:

While LNFSG and Lovin You are good songs, I am more impressed with Xscape and Blue Gangsta as far as the re worked songs are concern. Overall, these are the best re worked songs out of the 8. The other four are not that good in the production and they take away from the good quality of the original demos.

ALL the original demos for the 8 tracks are GREAT and highlight the album.

The album is great because of the original demos outside of the few good re-worked tracks. The original demos show the genius that was Michael Jackson and show just how much his music and musical talent is missed in this music industry.

I would give this album 4.5/5 with the re-worked songs included but if this album did not have re-worked songs I would give it 5/5. Some people like the re-worked tracks and some don't so I guess it is all up for opinion but it is a great album!!

If I can find some of the original demos I will post them.

05-17-2014, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
~~Soulflower~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,304	^ Thanks love! This link has 5 of the re-worked songs. However when you scroll down to 4, 6, 7 they are the ORIGINAL demos so check them out. They are NOT the re-worked songs. The first track features Justin Timberfake but not the one with just MJ's vocals LISTEN: Michael Jackson's Xscape New Full Album [MP3 STREAM] \| HEAVY My Review: The re-worked songs 1. Love Never Felt So Good Great album opener. This was one of Timberland's better re worked tracks. This tributes the Off The Wall album and has a nice rich 70's grove. The track was originally recorded in 1983 and Michael's vocals are FLAWLESS like sweet butter. I love the classic sound but the fun aspect about it as well. It is a nice summer jam for sure. Did I say that MJ's vocals are flawless? 2. Chicago When I first heard this song I originally did not like what Timberland had done with the production because I thought the song was overproduced. I personally like the original much better because the production on the original fits well with the theme of the song. However, this re-worked song has grown on me and it is not as overproduced as I thought but I still prefer the original. The re-worked version is very urban and modernized. The original demo sounds more eerie and dark. It sounds like a 90's R&B song. Dr. Freeze worked on the original demo. I love his work! 3. Lovin’ You This another one of Timberland's better tracks. Michaels vocals are everything. The song sounds modernized but it has a old school flare. It is very catchy and mellow. The lyrics are beautiful. The original demo is just MJ snapping his fingers and I still really love it. The re-worked track is good to. 4. A Place With No Name Timberland did a HORRIBLE job on this song. Horrible. The production is awful. The original demo is WAYYYYY better. Michael covers America bands "A Horse With No Name". The demo pays homage to the sounds and production of the cover song. I like the original because it sounds country/western and the lyrics match with that particular production. 5. Slave To The Rhythm Timberland did a HORRIBLE horrible job. The ORIGINAL demo is BETTER! I LOVEEEEE the demo for this song. Teddy Riley I believed worked on the demo that was originally intended for Michael's 1991 Dangerous Release. The original demo is a sexy smooth New Jack Swing song. You can not help but get down on the dance floor to it. I could only imagine what MJ could have did for a music video, would have been epic! 6. Do You Know Where Your Children Are Timberland did an AWFUL job lol I can't stand Timbo why did they have him re-worked these songs??? He did way to much overproducing. The original is WAY better 7. Blue Gangsta I love this song! It is dark and eerie. The intro is really really dark before you hear MJ's vocals. Michael is singing low and haunting. The production is very good although modernized. It fits the theme. I think this song is about Lisa Marie Presly because he makes references to a relationship in back in "1995" He sings: "You tricked me "95" "left and you said a crime" "People telling me, you've got another guy" "I've been abused, watch me light in fuse" "Said you'd be my wife, nothing but big lies" She did him dirty so I wouldn't be surprised if it was. Just an assumption because that is the year they divorced and she actually did trick him but that is another discussion..... The original demo is stellar as well. Ok I am rambling again back on topic... 8. Xscape THIS SONG IS FIREEEEE!!! They had Rodney Jerkins do this cut and he put his foot in it!!! I've always liked Jerkins as a producer anyway, not to mention he has actually worked with MJ in the past. This song has the illest hardest intro in the world. The MJ breathing and beat boxing is EPIC! and then when the beat drops OMG. MJ's vocals are hard, rough, and very low compared to how he usually sings. This is a club banger for sure! I actually prefer this song over the original demo but the original demo is good as well. Final Thoughts: While LNFSG and Lovin You are good songs, I am more impressed with Xscape and Blue Gangsta as far as the re worked songs are concern. Overall, these are the best re worked songs out of the 8. The other four are not that good in the production and they take away from the good quality of the original demos. ALL the original demos for the 8 tracks are GREAT and highlight the album. The album is great because of the original demos outside of the few good re-worked tracks. The original demos show the genius that was Michael Jackson and show just how much his music and musical talent is missed in this music industry. I would give this album 4.5/5 with the re-worked songs included but if this album did not have re-worked songs I would give it 5/5. Some people like the re-worked tracks and some don't so I guess it is all up for opinion but it is a great album!! If I can find some of the original demos I will post them. Last edited by Soulflower; 05-17-2014 at 01:14 PM.