2014 Portable: Michael Jackson Xscape -deluxe Edition-

Xscape (Deluxe Edition) , released on May 9, 2014, stands as the second posthumous collection from the King of Pop, offering a bridge between his historical vault and modern pop production. Curated by Epic Records chairman

Is the Deluxe Edition Worth It in 2025?

• “Love Never Felt So Good” (with Justin Timberlake on one version): A bright, throwback pop-soul gem whose polished production accentuates Jackson’s charm; the duet version updates it for contemporary audiences.
• “A Place with No Name”: An ambitious reimagining of a Bruce Hornsby–like demo, notable for its atmospheric arrangement and Jackson’s yearning vocal line.
• Alternate/remix versions: For collectors, the Deluxe Edition’s extended and alternate takes reveal production decisions and allow listeners to compare raw vocal intent with finished mixes.

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• Love Never Felt So Good (Original & Contemporized): Originally written with Paul Anka in 1983 (and recorded by Johnny Mathis in 1984), Jackson’s demo was rediscovered for this project. The contemporized version became an instant global hit, celebrating joy and nostalgia, while the original offers a charming, sparse piano-and-voice take.
• Chicago (Original title: “She Was Lovin’ Me”): A storytelling masterpiece about infidelity and deceit. The contemporized version has a dramatic, synth-heavy noir feel, while the original is driven by a hypnotic, looping piano riff and Jackson’s multi-tracked whispers.
• A Place with No Name: Inspired by America’s “A Horse with No Name,” this track features a soaring, ethereal melody. The original demo reveals Jackson experimenting with rock-inflected vocals, while the updated version (produced by Stargate) adds cinematic strings and a driving beat.
• Slave to the Rhythm: One of Jackson’s most famous unreleased tracks. The original demo showcases his aggressive, percussive beatboxing and razor-sharp delivery. The contemporized version, produced by Timbaland and Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon, turns it into a futuristic, horn-laced banger.
• Xscape: The title track, written and produced by Jackson and Rodney Jerkins in 1999–2001 during the Invincible sessions. The original demo is already nearly complete—dark, orchestral, and powerful. The contemporized version by Timbaland adds a staccato string section and a harder electronic drop, fittingly titled the “Timbaland Thriller Remix” on some editions.

Rating:

3.5/5

Xscape (Deluxe Edition)

Released on May 13, 2014, is the second posthumous studio album from Michael Jackson. Curated by Epic Records chairman L.A. Reid , the project focused on "contemporizing" unreleased vocals with modern production from heavyweights like Timbaland , Stargate , and Rodney Jerkins . Album Overview & Structure Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014

Track-by-Track Analysis of the Deluxe Edition