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EXCLUSIVE: New Details About Upcoming Michael Jackson Album Revealed

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It’s no secret that Epic Records, spearheaded by its CEO, LA Reid, is putting together a new album of unreleased Michael Jackson material. Super-producer Timbaland spoke about it. Former Jackson collaborator Fred Jerkins spoke about it. It’s happening.

One thing that has not been made clear is exactly when the album is scheduled for release.

Despite the fact that a host of music industry people have spoken publicly about their contributions, Epic Records and the Estate of Michael Jackson have remained quiet about the whole thing, leaving Jackson enthusiasts to wonder about the finer details – until now!

Dr. Freeze, the man responsible for writing and producing “Break Of Dawn,” from Jackson’s 2001 Invincible album, was kind enough to share exclusive new insights regarding the direction of the upcoming album.

“It seems to be coming out in the Spring of 2014,” Freeze told me.

It has been speculated that the new project – like 2010’s controversial Michael album – may be rushed out to capitalise on inflated sales during the 2013 Christmas period.

But timing doesn’t appear to be a priority with this project.

Instead, the focus is on delivering a quality album that all factions of the Michael Jackson fan community can enjoy and appreciate in one way or another.

The record company recognises that delivering an album which will satisfy the subjective desires of Jackson’s entire fan base is an impossible task. And so, in an effort to at least partially satisfy most of the fans, Epic Records’ CEO LA Reid is taking a much different approach.

The new album, at this stage, will have a ‘then and now / past and present’ theme, featuring both new remixes and the unadulterated original versions of unreleased Jackson recordings.

“I’m not [producing] the album,” says Freeze, whose unreleased Jackson tracks “A Place With No Name” and “Blue Gangsta” – originally recorded by the King of Pop in 1998 – will be freshly remixed for the album by other producers.

“Both old and new versions of both songs are on the album to satisfy both sides of the fan community,” Freeze revealed.

When I asked Freeze which producers were remixing his songs, he told me that he wasn’t sure yet.

“It’s still up in the air right now.”

Super-producer Timbaland, best known for his work with Missy Elliot and Justin Timberlake, believes he’ll wrap up his part of production by the end of the year.

And he’s already hedging his bets that the lead single will be a song he remixed, called “Chicago.”

“I can tell you the first single is gonna be the song ‘Chicago’ … I think it should be, because ‘Chicago’ sounds like today,” said the producer.

Also weighing in with his opinion was Timbaland’s official DJ, Freestyle Steve.

“So last night I heard some of the new tracks Timbaland is doing for the King of Pop… WOW!” tweeted the DJ after a private listening session.

“To all the Timbaland & Michael Jackson fans, just know Tim did an amazing job with Mike’s vocals. The world will love it!”

With songs like “Slave to the Rhythm” and “Do You Know Where Your Children Are” being remixed to feature alongside the previously mentioned Invincible outtakes “A Place With No Name” and “Blue Gangsta,” fans should be in for a treat.

Additional Invincible outtakes could also be used to round out the project, including “Escape” and “Get Your Weight Off Of Me” – originally produced by Rodney Jerkins and his Darkchild production team – and “She Was Loving Me” by former Sony Vice President Cory Rooney.

The recently leaked “I Am A Loser” – co-written by Jackson with collaborative partner Brad Buxer – is also in the conversation.

But like Dr Freeze said: “It’s still up in the air right now.”

Songs that will not be included: the infamous Cascio tracks – three of which have already been released, and nine of which remain unreleased.

The Estate confirmed in a written statement to one of my co-researchers that no further Cascio tracks will be included on any future projects by Sony or the Estate. This decision came on the back of the uproar they caused in 2010, when questions over the authenticity of the vocals were raised by Jackson’s family, former producers and fans around the world.

Although “Slave to the Rhythm” is one of the tracks being considered for release, it’s unlikely to appear in the form of a duet with Justin Bieber.

A work-in-progress mix of the posthumous duet, produced by Max Methods, was leaked online in August to the displeasure of many MJ fans.

Max Methods works for producer Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, who is currently the President of A&R at Epic Records, under CEO LA Reid.

To clear things up the Jackson Estate issued the following statement via their mouthpiece, The MJ Online Team:

For those who have been asking about the recently posted recording of ‘Slave 2 The Rhythm’ by Michael and Justin Bieber, this recording was not authorized and has been taken down… It is unauthorized and therefore there is no intention to release it.

There are still doubts as to whether Jackson’s fans will ever hear the unreleased music produced during his later collaborative ventures, including a three-year period in which he worked sporadically with Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am.

Jackson is said to have worked on just a few ideas with will.i.am, including titles “I’m Dreamin’,” “The Future” and “I Will Miss You,” as previously cited by the producer. It is also unclear what state of completion these ideas are in.

Will.i.am has been outspoken about releasing and/or finishing Jackson’s incomplete work.

In July 2009, he said he had hoped the world would one day hear what they’d been working on.

However, by the time Sony and the Estate started working on 2010’s Michael album, the producer had flipped the script, taking the position that it was disrespectful to release Jackson’s unfinished work while calling those involved with the project “freaking parasites” and accusing them of sucking from Jackson’s energy.

Regardless, based on the aforementioned titles alone, Epic Records has more than enough unreleased material at their disposal to get the job done.

“I always want to do music that inspires or influences another generation. You want what you create to live, be it sculpture or painting or music. Like Michelangelo, he said, ‘I know the creator will go, but his work survives. That is why to escape death, I attempt to bind my soul to my work.’ And that’s how I feel. I give my all to my work. I want it to just live.” – Michael Jackson


Damien Shields is the author of the book Michael Jackson: Songs & Stories From The Vault examining the King of Pop’s creative process, and the producer of the podcast The Genesis of Thriller which takes you inside the recording studio as Jackson and his team create the biggest selling album in music history.
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142 Comments

142 Comments

  1. Dilan

    October 7, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    Even though the album is expected for spring 2014 do you think the first single could be released by december?

    • Mary House (Mimimjfan)

      October 9, 2013 at 12:11 pm

      My Grandson and I love MJs music and he will really be excited as I am to here more of MJs songs! Thanks for sharing this with us! Great job as always!

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 18, 2013 at 4:19 pm

      Possibly, although I somewhat doubt it, considering two MASSIVE compilation albums were released earlier this year – I’d say that the album will come out in February/March 2014, with the first single or promotional single coming out in late January.

    • Jake Lister

      December 1, 2013 at 10:28 am

      Wow what about the songs Hot Street , xscape and stuff like demos from Behind the mask.

  2. Jari

    October 7, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Doesn’t sound very good to me. I hope majority of the songs on the new album are previously unheard songs. It would suck if we had already heard like 70% of the ‘new’ songs. But that ‘original/new version’ idea sounds nice. Let’s just hope they have more songs we have never heard before.

    • thezaw

      December 13, 2013 at 6:55 am

      agree with u 100%, why song leaked will be out for new album. and i hope that for new album have more than 10 songs.

  3. Elke Hassell

    October 7, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    Thanks Damien, great article again. I personally can’t wait to hear this album. and I am not one of those radical “fans” that refuse any new stuff coming out from MJ whether remixed or not because they are Anti the Estate. We should be thankful to get the opportunity to be able to listen to any new releases from MJ, so yeah can’t wait. Thanks again.

  4. TheresaB

    October 7, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    Nicely done, Damien Shields. Can ‘to wait to hear it.

  5. Maria

    October 7, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    I would like a album, like this fantasy list!!!
    Everything, but please just Michael! No one else!

    • Rachid

      December 31, 2013 at 3:51 pm

      they will ruin his songs if they do remixes with some garbage singers like justin bieber.

  6. Pas Mater

    October 7, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Wonderful. Great idea to release both the original version and new version. Nice to hear that there will be no more Cascio (Jason Malachi) fake songs released. But an apology to the fans would be nice too and removal of 3 released songs from Michael’s official discography. That way the fans will finally forgive the Estate and move on. Also Spring, 2014 is much better than Christmas period because there are higher chances that the album will hit #1.

    I agree about Hollywood Tonight Demo should be included. Also previously leaked songs should be officially released, there’s nothing wrong with that.

    • TheresaB

      October 8, 2013 at 11:32 am

      The estate will never be forgiven for anything and will continue to be criticized for everything as they have from the beginning.

      • corlista

        October 8, 2013 at 5:45 pm

        Agree, TheresaB. Those that hate the Estate will criticize everything they do regardless of truth, intention or success of project and an apology would only be maligned. Michael, as we know, suffers the same fate from those that seek to destroy him.

  7. mksmurf

    October 7, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    They should put more new songs into the album.
    I do see no hope with MJ’s Legacy. Very sad about the list,
    2 CDs might be a good idea. But i think AEG Trial without a Justice result will ruin all MJ projects forever.

    • PERSIS

      October 7, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      LOL

      • mksmurf

        October 7, 2013 at 3:29 pm

        ; )

    • Dee

      December 4, 2013 at 1:42 pm

      Nothing can ruin MJ. Nothing.

  8. Lauren

    October 7, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    Wonder exactly what ‘Tim’ did with Michael’s vocals. Looking forward to the
    original demos/tracks and we’ll see about re-mixes.

  9. Zakk

    October 7, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    it’s interesting that they are using some leaked song’s on this record. It’s understandable as these were never supposed to be leaked. i’m very glad that they are releasing both remixed/ and orignal versions of these song’s. that is a huge plus for me. looking forward to it.

  10. chris

    October 7, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    Personally I think the inclusion of original demos and new versions on a single album release (even if it is on two separate CDs) is a compromise aimed at appeasing overly critical fans and could actually degrade the product. I would prefer that a new album was released with ONLY new remixed versions of the songs, then maybe at a later date release a separate product with the original demos.
    Other than appeasing fans, I see no good reason to confuse the product by targeting different buyers. I think the general public will be most interested in new remixes, not demos (assuming the remixes have hit potential), while on the other hand, I think there will be a large proportion of the MJ fan base that are only interest in demos, not new remixes. Two very different markets.

  11. Mehdi Essaid

    October 7, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    Finaly something makes sense to me , l love this , l really hope they will add Concert from History tour on DVD & Blu Ray. Manila will be great.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 18, 2013 at 4:17 pm

      HIStory World Tour DVD doesn’t sound like a good idea – the shows weren’t really Michael at his best…Michael only released a VHS copy of one of shows in Seoul, South Korea entitled ‘HIStory World Tour: Live in Seoul’ in 1996, and quite frankly, the Munich show was far better – the only concert footage that Michael released and wanted to release during his life time was the epic ‘Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever’ performance of ‘Billie Jean’, the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards performances, the Seoul performance mentioned above and the October 1, 1992 concert in Bucharest, Romania (during the Dangerous World Tour) – if you’re gonna release a Michael Jackson concert after his death, at least make it a decent one, like the July 16, 1988 concert at London, England (during the Bad World Tour)…

      • Arjun Sanyal

        October 18, 2013 at 4:22 pm

        I forgot the performance during Half-Time at the Super Bowl XXVII between Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys.

        Also, I wonder if Michael’s song ‘Buffalo Bill’ has anything to do with the team…

  12. JG

    October 7, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    – 1 – Blue Gangsta (Freeze) – 2 – A place without no name (Freeze) – 3 – Escape (Jerkins) – 4 – Kick it (Jerkins) – 5 – Get around (Jerkins) – 6 – Slave to the rhythm (Jerkins) – 7 – Chicago 1945 (Timbaland) – 8 – Make a wish (Buz Cohan) – 9 – State of Shock (Mercury version) – 10 – There must be more to life than this – 11 – From the bottom of my heart – 12 – I was the loser – 13 – Do you know where your children are

    • mksmurf

      October 7, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      9&10 better be replaced by Victory

      ‘Can’t Get Your Weight Off Of Me’ is another track must have as huge as ‘From the bottom of my heart’

      Escape is a track leaked since 2003, i dont think its necessary to put it into the album and waste a place to another new song.

      • Arjun Sanyal

        October 15, 2013 at 4:14 pm

        So is ‘Blue Gangsta’, ‘Do You Know Where Your Children Are’ and ‘Slave To The Rhythm’ – even the Justin Bieber-Michael Jackson duet remix has leaked! My point is that it doesn’t really matter whether it’s been leaked before, as long as it’s a good song…

        Even ‘Scream’ was leaked in 1995 – it was still the lead single of ‘HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I”

        • Arjun Sanyal

          October 15, 2013 at 4:15 pm

          I forgot, ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This’ was also leaked, and a snippet of the demo was used for a Freddie Mercury documentary by the BBC.

        • mksmurf

          October 19, 2013 at 10:01 pm

          So wrong, fans want unleaked songs

          • Arjun Sanyal

            October 20, 2013 at 12:49 pm

            Unleaked songs are good – all I’m saying is that leaked songs aren’t necessarily bad – or are you saying that ‘Blue Gangsta’ and ‘Slave To The Rhythm’ are bad songs?

          • mksmurf

            October 20, 2013 at 7:57 pm

            ‘Blue Gangsta’ and ‘Slave To The Rhythm’ are good enough, but
            is there any possible have more unleaked songs?
            just add 5 more songs it will be an huge album!!! now its just 9, why 9?? only 9…..

  13. Love U Sev

    October 7, 2013 at 3:53 pm

    Why to include another fake song “she was lovin’ me”?…. it’s clear this is not Michael

    • Zakk

      October 7, 2013 at 4:12 pm

      the leaked ‘she was lovin’ me’ is not michael, you’re right. but there is a version worked on by Michael and Corey Rooney during the invincible sessions that both of them loved. Damien wrote an article on this song anyway, so.. i don’t see what you’re complaining about.

    • Writer

      November 27, 2013 at 7:59 pm

      The leaked version was a demo by: Brian Beat

  14. Zakk

    October 7, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    could be possible it might be released around the same time as the ”Last PhotoShoots” DVD/Blu-Ray?

  15. Gaston

    October 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    This is indeed great news! It took them years to get it.. but it seems know they understood. Finally. Let the Legacy of Michael Jackson commence it’s ascension. Let his light shine brighter then EVER.

  16. Arya

    October 7, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    Thank you for the amazing article. Including the old and the new version of the songs is an excellent idea! I used to personally fantasize my own track listing with the songs that were leaked out there. And “Blue Gangsta”, “Escape” were among the top songs on my list and I am happy to see them getting the official release they so deserve. There is one more MJ song that has mostly gone unheard named “Shout” and wanted more than anything to be included in an MJ album. The first time I heard the song I was awed. I immediately had to play it again. And again and again. The song is so cool and “funky”. It sounds so “in”. At first I couldn’t catch the lyrics but when I read it I loved the song even more. The song oozed a lot of style and the lyrics are meaningful, it was SO MJ. After trying to find details about the song I ran into an article saying that the song was meant for “Invincible” but it couldn’t get included in the album because it was railroaded by politics between MJ and Sony. And that it was a shame because it was said that MJ was really feeling the song and was dancing to it. I suppose any song that had MJ going should be promoted BIG time. And this song definitely deserves to be heard more and also released with a funky video, probably! My imagination always gets a kick-start when I hear MJ’s songs and with this particular one I could imagine the video with a series of images showing the world’s issues just like how the lyrics of the song says. It would also portray MJ’s concern for the world, something which meant more than anything for him. I hope there is an informative article on this particular piece because I strongly feel this song shouldn’t go “underrated”. It is a song perfect for today’s “youth”. I felt I had to write about it on this article hoping it had get attention. Your articles on MJ’s songs are very informative and detailed. Great work! 🙂

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 10, 2013 at 4:14 pm

      ‘Shout’ can be bought from the ‘Cry’ single (the second single from ‘Invincible’) and the 2013 album ‘The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection’

  17. Logan

    October 7, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    Sounds great!

    As for the track listing, assuming the album contains ten songs (twenty when you count remixed + original versions), there should only be a maximum of 2 or 3 leaked songs. I’m buying this album to hear new Michael Jackson material and, while I do think that some of the leaked songs deserve to become an official part of Michael’s discography, I’m not going to spend upwards of 20 dollars for songs I’ve had for years. It’s like buying a Michael Jackson greatest hits collection — you have all the songs, so why spend money buying them again?

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 15, 2013 at 4:11 pm

      You do realise that even with a Michael Jackson greatest-hits album, you can buy any previously unreleased material from iTunes without buying the previously released material – take the International Version of ‘Number Ones’ – the only new song was ‘One More Chance’ (excluding the 2003 Edit version of ‘Thriller’) – all you had to do was buy ‘One More Chance’ from iTunes and not buy anything else…

  18. Adam Jackson

    October 7, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    I like the idea of this, maybe over 2 discs like HIStory. But I would like more unheard songs on the album rather than all the ones I have heard listed above.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 11, 2013 at 3:50 pm

      When you say “like HIStory”, I hope you mean two discs of new material – not one of new material and the other consisting of old material (like the ‘HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I’ album)

  19. Suzy

    October 7, 2013 at 6:32 pm

    I like the sound of it. I do not mind that we already know some of these songs – they are great songs deserving of an official release despite of the leak. Also the general public probably does not know them. I also like it that they will include the demos as well. I understand that the general public may not be that interested in them, but I think they could have a one-CD version with only the remixes for them and a deluxe version with the demos for fans.

  20. TJ

    October 7, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    I understand that in order to keep milking the cash cow, they need to round up the producers to modernize and bastardize the demos, but i still refuse to believe it is in any way intended to honor MJ’s legacy.

    Honoring him would be leaving his incomplete and shelved work alone.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 11, 2013 at 3:48 pm

      Oh come on – even Michael knew that after he died, his shelved material would be released. And it wasn’t as if he thought he would easily live through the ‘This Is It’ concerts – he knew he was taking heavy medication. If he was that bothered about it, he would have made a will to prevent the Estate from releasing his shelved material…

  21. deirdrelawlor

    October 7, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    ps don have jason voice on the now cd

  22. deirdrelawlor

    October 7, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    ilove michaels now songs

  23. Justin

    October 7, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    i hope that isn’t the cover. yuk.

    i agree with T.J.

    I DON’T want anything remixed or R’n’B’d up. i want it all untouched.

  24. khaled

    October 8, 2013 at 12:35 am

    We want 2 cd’s album with about 16 unheard tracks and 4 leaked already and demos.

  25. Fred Nichols

    October 8, 2013 at 2:18 am

    I have those songs & honestly don’t care for some of them. Also that album cover you made is terrible

    • Fred Nichols

      October 8, 2013 at 2:21 am

      I really can’t get excited about people remixing MJ songs or releasing songs that I’ve heard years ago. I want something fresh. MJ is said to have recorded hundreds of songs. Where are they? Officially release these songs, but rather than this “then & now” foolishness, give us Michael Jackson music they way he intended that we haven’t heard.

      • Arjun Sanyal

        October 10, 2013 at 4:21 pm

        He recorded tons of songs for his children – the Estate therefore cannot release them. His children can sell the rights to about 200 songs that Michael recorded for them to the Estate/Sony if they end up in some financial difficulty

    • Calvin Wit

      March 7, 2015 at 10:54 am

      Pleaseeee could you send me the original chigaco (not she was loving me because it was titled the same). As well as Can’t get your weight off of me.
      I really wish I could hear the last one so bad!
      I would even pay you for it!
      My enailaddress is calvinwit1997@hotmail.com

  26. Jes

    October 8, 2013 at 4:50 am

    Ah…another remix album .
    Does this one include Jason Malachi as well?
    And a remix/duet with Bieber? No thank u!
    I rather like to hear the original demo’s instead of this.

    • TheresaB

      October 8, 2013 at 11:36 am

      Did you read the article at all?

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 25, 2013 at 4:28 pm

      I like how so many people are making a fuss over the 3 Cascio Tracks included in the ‘Michael’ album, yet no one even mentions the fact that Cirque du Soleil used ‘Monster’ for their Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour shows. No one even complains about the fact that ‘Monster’ was sampled for the shows, and was in fact featured in the ‘Immortal’ album…

      • Laila

        October 26, 2013 at 2:48 am

        dunno where ur looking online but the core mj fan base who acknowledge the cascio tacks as fakes has been in an uproar about the inclusion of cascio material in cirque since day 1….

    • Laila

      October 26, 2013 at 2:45 am

      u clearly didn’t read the article…. all ur concerns are addressed in it.

  27. Andrew MJsOldestfan Kent

    October 8, 2013 at 9:33 am

    Michael wrote and recorded over 100 songs for each album, I’m sure some if not all are in a vault somewhere. These are the ones that should be released with Michael’s childrens’ permission NOT the Estate who ONLY want to line their own money grubbing pockets. Hope his newer/later stuff is put onto the album as opposed to his older 2003 music.

    beLIEve ALWAYS 🙂

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 18, 2013 at 4:10 pm

      The problem with his later stuff though, is that a lot of them have some sort of problem. Examples are the ‘Cascio Tracks’, which are surrounded by a lot of controversy, and the songs Michael worked with will.i.am (prior to ‘Thriller 25’ i.e. 2007-2008) – will.i.am is determined not to release any music he worked on with Michael as he feels it is disrespectful to Michael. And then we have the ‘Llama Recordings’ – the Estate of Michael Jackson said that Brian May could release them in 2011/2012 – apart from a snippet of the ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This’ demo on a 2013 BBC documentary about Freddie Mercury, and some leaks, these songs are yet to gain an official release as we have no idea what the Estate actually want!

  28. Zakk

    October 8, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    this isn’t going to be a remix album, it’s a newly mixed production by today’s producers on one disc. and Michael’s raw, untouched demo’s on the other disc. there will be no fake song’s, so no one should complain. they’re marketing to general public and the hardcore fanbase. we should be congratulating them. not hating.

    zakk.

    • Pas Mater

      October 8, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      Exactly. No remixes but new versions. No fake songs.

  29. Mark

    October 8, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    “Instead, the focus is on delivering a quality product that all sectors of the Michael Jackson fan community can enjoy and appreciate in one way or another.”

    Well, hope springs eternal on the part of the Estate, it seems, as they try to deal with THE most fractious and divided fan base in history. The Faction of No is small but shrill. Can they now say that the Estate is insensitive to fan critiques or desires? Oh yes, I’m sure they can. A moment to fill their lungs with more hot air and outlandish accusations, and off they’ll go again. I wish they’d shut up and stop ruining everything for everyone else in the world who loves Michael Jackson’s music.

  30. Steven

    October 9, 2013 at 5:43 am

    Can someone please explain to me when this happenned?!:

    “The Estate have communicated to fans that no more Cascio tracks will be included on any future Michael Jackson releases following the uproar they caused in 2010 when questions over the authenticity and origins of their dubious vocals were raised by Jackson’s family and fans around the world.”

    Who else got that memo? x

    • Pas Mater

      October 10, 2013 at 4:16 pm

      It was a personal conversation between a fan (Damien’s friend I believe) and John Branca (co-executor of MJ’s Estate) at Spike Lee Bad 25 Documentary premiere in London. Branca did not admit that the songs are fake (which they are) but he promised that the rest of Cascio songs (9) will not be released in the future. Of course Branca can brake that promise but I doubt he will.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 25, 2013 at 4:30 pm

      Funny how despite that, ‘Monster’ was used by Cirque du Soleil for the Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour shows and the ‘Immortal’ album…

  31. gg

    October 9, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    good choice to put old and new version on the cd.
    But for a song like slave to the rhythm i hope they will give to the radios the 2 versions.
    And if they make a video for this song they should make 2 versions too.
    And i think the same for every songs which are really good without remix them.

  32. Dariush

    October 9, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    This is great news!
    I always dreamed of a posthumous album with 5 discs:
    Disc 1 – Original versions
    Disc 2 – Remixed versions
    Disc 3 – Instrumental versions
    Disc 4 – Acapella versions
    Disc 5 – Studio demo versions

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 10, 2013 at 4:20 pm

      1) Most of the original versions are demos
      2) There’s not really much point in releasing instrumental versions on an MJ album – if they were even to be released, they should be released as part of a ‘deluxe edition’ – I for one am not one who would pay to buy instrumental versions where Michael’s vocals are not there…

  33. Arjun Sanyal

    October 10, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Why can’t the Estate release an album of songs that Michael performed live, but never released on an album?
    Here are some songs I’m thinking of:
    1) Elizabeth I Love You
    2) You Were There
    3) HIStory Medley: Scream/They Don’t Care About Us/In The Closet
    4) Medley (performed during 1995 MTV Video Music Awards)
    5) Super Bowl Medley
    6) Dangerous (MTV VMA Version)
    An album having a couple of these songs and more, especially the first two would be pretty good

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 10, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      ‘Ekam Satyam’ also seems like a good song – Michael and A.R.Rahman were planning to perform the song live during the 1999 MJ & Friends concerts.

      I also forgot ‘What More Can I Give’

    • Charles Thomson

      October 11, 2013 at 8:04 am

      Playing fast and loose with the word ‘live’ there. Almost every single thing you’ve listed was just a remix of the original studio vocals, which MJ mimed to onstage.

      • Arjun Sanyal

        October 11, 2013 at 3:45 pm

        When I say “live”, I mean performed live, not sung live – none of those songs were sung live (apart from a few live vocals, like Michael shouting “HO!”)

  34. Cinzia

    October 11, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    I do not buy it. They are destroying the art of MJ, if you really must publish, then, no remix, no re-arrangement, the genius of Michael not touch. I want his art just as he left it, I want her sighs, I want her clap, I want his music, I want his voice. They have no respect for us fans, but especially for Michael and his art that he meant so much.

    • Pas Mater

      October 12, 2013 at 11:56 am

      Re-read the article. You’ll get what you want. People who want new versions of the songs will also get what they want. Win-win situation.

  35. Cinzia

    October 11, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    Sorry, his sighs, his clap. I’m italian, and i wrong to write.

  36. Jesse D'Vauz

    October 12, 2013 at 3:50 am

    I think it would be a good idea to release it in a 2 CD set, one CD with the original mixes and the other with the modern new versions. I know fans don’t want his work touched, but if the label wants the project to receive regular airplay and sales, it would need to target the general audience.

  37. john lomas

    October 12, 2013 at 8:42 am

    Of course if its mj ill get it but it seems to me to be an album of already available songs that anyone can listen to and download of YouTube anytime they like I wanna hear new unreleased unleaked songs the estate has yet to wow me I am a lifelong fan but nothing ive heard yet has made me glad to still be buying stuff since 2001s invincible I am sorry but Michael Jackson is Michael Jackson no one can try to second guess what went on in that man’s head what he brought out to the public no one can copy or guess how he wanted it but its funny to watch people breaking their backs trying to as far as I am concerned mjs discography finished with invincible everythin since are just echos

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 12, 2013 at 10:41 am

      I too want to hear unreleased material – I was saying that releasing some of those songs on an album wouldn’t be a bad idea

  38. m.milillo

    October 12, 2013 at 10:20 am

    i agreed with argjun sanyan total! why not!

  39. Cam Hamon

    October 12, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    Escape should be left as is because it was fully completed and finalized by Michael Jackson himself.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 18, 2013 at 4:23 pm

      I agree – but they’ll probably end up making a remix of it featuring Pitbull or someone rubbish…

  40. john lomas

    October 13, 2013 at 4:12 pm

    In 1998 yoko ono released the 4 cd box set called anthology which was crammed with unreleased and rare live versions of john Lennons solo career that’s the sort of thing I want to see done for Michael but as long as Sony not the family stay in control I can’t see it happening I cannot wait for sonys contract to run out then everyone can release everythin they have that’s when it’ll get interesting

    • Pas Mater

      October 15, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      Not true. Sony Music is just record company, a distributer of products released by Michael Jackson’s Estate. They own distribution rights of Michael Jackson’s songs, not his songs. Michael Jackson’s Estate is the owner of all things Michael Jackson including his songs. So when this contract with Sony Music expires in 2017 Estate will have to sign another contract with Sony or any other record company in order to continue releasing Michael Jackson material. So, you got it all wrong. Estate decides what will be released, not Sony Music.

      Your statement: “then everyone can release everythin they have that’s when it’ll get interesting” is completely wrong.

      Also his family will never be in control because he left them nothing. MJ Estate will always be in control. Executors of the Estate may change, his kids will be in control, but Jacksons never.

      • Sina

        October 15, 2013 at 11:52 pm

        “Also his family will never be in control because he left them nothing”
        ‘his kids will be in control, but Jacksons never.’
        So his kids are not family and they are not Jacksons?

        • Arjun Sanyal

          October 16, 2013 at 4:20 pm

          By “family” and “Jacksons”, I think Pas is referring to Michael’s siblings and parents rather than his children – as for “Jacksons”, he’s probably talking about the music group The Jacksons, which currently consists of most of Michael’s brothers (I think).

          • Pas Mater

            October 18, 2013 at 11:39 am

            Exactly. Thanks!

  41. Terry knight

    October 14, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    I would love if they done what the fans wanted. Here are the following things i think they should do: Release Michael Jackson Bad tour Japan on cd and Itunes. Put motown 25 performance on cd and iTunes. And release all other live performances on Cd and Itunes like MTV performances like 1988 man in the mirror and 1995 etc. Also they should try and get the Victory Tour on dvd and cd and ITunes? What you guys think? That’s my view.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 16, 2013 at 4:22 pm

      Michael’s performances during the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards can be found on the 1997 DVD ‘HIStory On Film, Volume II’.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 19, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      Also, an unofficial live album and an accompanying DVD was released in 2009 – it’s a Michael Jackson concert in Yokohama, Japan during the Bad World Tour – I think you can buy it on amazon.com and other websites – the ‘One Night In Japan’ album is arguably one of Michael’s most famous unofficial albums (along with ‘7even’ and ‘Blood On The Dance Floor: HIStory In The Re-Mix’)

  42. Terry knight

    October 14, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    Also they have released the Triumph tour on c.d but surely they got the visual for it? Surely they could release that on dvd? Then you got the 2001 concert that they could release on dvd and c.d and iTunes? There are so many things they could release!!! Also there must be performances and concerts that the Jackson 5 done that could be released? I like it when they release the albums but there is so much they could do.

    • Pas Mater

      October 15, 2013 at 1:29 pm

      Michael Jackson’s Estate is not the owner of Jackson 5 material. Motown is. Triumph & Victory Tours are also complicated because it is The Jacksons Tour not Michael Jackson’s Tour so in oreder to release that they should get permission from each brother and other people who were involved in the production of the tour. Too expensive.

      2001 MSG concert could be released on blu-ray and I hope they will release it under this 10 projects deal with Sony.

      • Arjun Sanyal

        October 16, 2013 at 4:24 pm

        Surely the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special concerts contained performances of songs performed originally by The Jackson 5 and The Jacksons – surely the release of those songs would also have the same problem as those associated with the Triumph Tour and Victory Tour?

        • Pas Mater

          October 18, 2013 at 11:42 am

          No. Because all the rights for the shows belong to Michael Jackson (now his Estate) and David Gest (producer of the shows). Also it was Michael Jackson concert (The Jacksons were guests, just like N’Sync or Destiny’s Child…). Victory and Triumph were The Jacksons tours.

          • Arjun Sanyal

            October 18, 2013 at 4:04 pm

            Just to clarify, would the Estate of Michael Jackson need Britney Spears’ approval to release the live version of ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ performed on September 7, 2001?

            Also, I wish rehearsal footage of ‘One Day In Your Life’ could be released – Michael and Whitney Houston rehearsed the song for the shows, but it wasn’t performed for some reason (much like ‘Ekam Satyam’ for the MJ & Friends concerts)

  43. Terry knight

    October 14, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Also its a shame that Michael ‘s Never land Ranch isn’t restored to all its glory and open it to the public like Elvis ‘s Graceland!!!

  44. Terry knight

    October 15, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    What else would people like to see released?

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 19, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      I wish they would release a DVD box set containing the most famous live performance of a song from each of Michael’s studio albums (obviously excluding ‘Invincible’ and some of his studio albums with Motown). For example, for ‘Thriller’, we could get live performances of ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin”, ‘Thriller’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Human Nature’ – for ‘Billie Jean’, we could have the performance during the ‘Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever’ concert, while for ‘Beat It’ and ‘Human Nature’ we can have the Royal Brunei Concert – Michael sang the wrong lyrics to ‘Beat It’ during the concert, and ‘Human Nature’ was performed for the last time ever. The process could be repeated for ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Bad’, ‘Dangerous’, ‘HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I’ etc.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 20, 2013 at 12:57 pm

      Also, I wonder if a scary-themed box set could be released – it could simply have one CD and one DVD, and could be released for Halloween.
      The CD could have these songs:
      – ‘Thriller’
      – ‘Ghosts’
      – ‘Is It Scary’
      – ‘Threatened’
      – ‘Monster’ (controversial, yes I know, but it’s still a pretty good song)
      – ‘Is It Scary/Threatened/Thriller (Immortal Version)
      The DVD could have these videos:
      – ‘Michael Jackson’s Ghosts’ film (in HD)
      – ‘Thriller’ music video/short film
      – ‘Ghosts’ music video/short film
      – A live performance of ‘Thriller’ e.g. Royal Brunei Concert or HIStory World Tour
      – And maybe, just maybe, a Cirque du Soleil performance of ‘Is It Scary/Threatened/Thriller’ from their ‘Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour’ shows (I haven’t seen a Cirque du Soleil show, so I have NO idea how good they are).

      A bonus disc could also be given – it could contain the ‘On The Line’ CD single, which was part of the ‘Ghosts: Deluxe Collector Boxed Set’ boxed set.

  45. Matías

    October 18, 2013 at 4:44 am

    1. Work That Body (Loren) 2. Do You Know Where Your Children Are (MJ) 3. Fever (Loren) 4. Bottle of Smoke (MJ) 5. Deep In The Night (Loren) 6. Stay (MJ) 7. Seven Digits (Loren) 8. Man In Black (Loren) 9. Dreams (MJ) 10. Pressure (Loren) 11. Serious Effect (Loren) 12. Fear (MJ) 13. She Got It (Loren) 14. Verdict (Loren) 15. Angel (Babyface) 16. Be Me 4 A Day (MJ) 17. Do You Love Me (Babyface) 18. Thank Heaven (MJ) 19. That (MJ) 20. Can´t Get Your Weight Off Me (Swedien)

    I know, I know. No way in hell they will release twenty songs at once. But this is, what I´d like to hear. The Loren outtakes (if recorded/releasable) which, from what we´ve heard I like better than some songs that were released on Dangerous, songs written by MJ himself (again, assuming they´re all recorded/were left fairly finished) and the Babyface sessions, the first batch of sessions for what would become Invincible.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 18, 2013 at 4:00 pm

      A lot of your suggested songs where recorded during the ‘Dangerous’ era e.g. ‘Do You Know Where Your Children Are’, ‘Work That Body’ and ‘Serious Effect’ – in fact the latter was released on the original and rare 2001 ‘Dangerous: Special Edition’. I personally think that the Estate of Michael Jackson will save these songs for a possible 25th anniversary reissue of ‘Dangerous’ in 2016 (like they did with ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’, and similar to what they wanted to do with ‘Off The Wall’, for a 30th anniversary reissue in 2009)

      • Matías

        October 18, 2013 at 6:10 pm

        Likely indeed. But I´d rather have these songs on posthumous albums, and have early versions or demos of released songs (i.e. what Al Capone is to Smooth Criminal, the Dangerous demo to the album version) on the anniversary editions.

        By the way, the rare special edition with the bonus cuts was just an acetate. Not officially released, it leaked.

        • Arjun Sanyal

          October 19, 2013 at 4:35 pm

          I’m pretty sure it was released, albeit for a small amount of time – it was withdrawn. Might be wrong though 😀

          • Matías

            October 21, 2013 at 9:18 pm

            BTW, has Babyface ever spoken about how much finished are those late 90s´ sessions for the first draft of Invincible?

    • Shirley alves

      November 7, 2013 at 8:37 am

      Sounds like what I wanna hear for SURE! ♥

  46. Pas Mater

    October 19, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    @Arjun Sanyal

    No, they don’t need permission from any guest artists to release 30th anniversary concert because they were guests on Michael Jackson show. MJ (now his Estate) & David Gest are owners of the footage and have rights to release it.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 20, 2013 at 12:58 pm

      Oh OK – thanks for clearing that up.

  47. jason rodgers....

    October 20, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    This article makes me laugh……….doing the original and new versions approach seems a bit late in the day now,but sure it’s welcome for the obvious reasons,the fact that no more Cascio tracks being released also makes me happy,but heres a thought, i would love to see Michaels vocals released on soundcloud allowing people to remix Michaels work to make him more current………Soundcloud is absolute genius and seriously would allow fans to enjoy different interpretations of his songs.

    • Arjun Sanyal

      October 25, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      The thing is though, do people actually know what the other Cascio Tracks are? I mean, apart from ‘Breaking News’, ‘Monster’ and ‘Keep Your Head Up’.

      • Pas Mater

        October 25, 2013 at 7:50 pm

        Of course.

        All I Need
        All Right
        Black Widow
        Burn Tonight
        Fall In Love
        Ready 2 Win
        Soldier Boy
        Stay
        Water

        All nine songs leaked on the internet. All nine not Michael Jackson singing.

  48. natty

    October 31, 2013 at 6:01 am

    I’d like to say that Tilbaland is an Hass Been and last timberlake album produced by tilbaland is a disaster. We want the demo version of songs and if they need to finish it , I mean arrangements, I would have choosen Rodney Jerkins because he already worked with MJ, he trustes him. And what he did respects MJ music. It’s gonna be a Timbaland album, it will not sound like a MJ album. I’m wondering what Timbaland have to do with MJ? And he wasn’t a real fan ! He said ‘It will complete my legacy’, Go to hell Tim ! Who do you think you are? ‘ I think they choose him because Sony want to touch Timberlake & Timbaland fans. But MJ fans will probably don?t follow them. Michael the last albul sold 10 Ms copies. More than any Beyonce album. Being the producer of a MJ album means big money ! Personnaly , I would have choose Rodney Jerkins, he is waybmore talented than Timbaland, we will end up with a duet with Nicki Minaj, please Noooo !

    • Shirley alves

      November 7, 2013 at 8:46 am

      oh God, NO!!!! Duet with Nikki Minaj??!! Yuck!! And please, NO MORE PITBULL either!! Talk about flooding the sound waves! I can’t take anymore of either of them!!

      Re Timbaland’s comments about working on this album, yeah, I have to agree… Sadly, it’s all about TIMBALAND’s success, and very little to do with Michael’s legacy. 🙁 That still worries me quite a bit. Why the heck isn’t Dr Freeze producing his OWN songs for MJ on this album? SMH….

  49. Neil King

    November 2, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I would like to have released just unreleasesd tracks as michael left them eg a place with no name, blue gansta, do you know.. etc and also rare already released songs like what more can i give. i dont want songs remixed or tinkered with by any joe smith producer! i would eventually like blu ray/ dvd quality making of thriller and perhaps ghosts and heres hoping captain eo? I think the estate has a tough job trying to please different factions of fans but on the whole i trust john branca more than michaels siblings.

  50. Shirley Alves

    November 7, 2013 at 7:50 am

    Good to hear that those annoying Cascio tracks will be left OFF! While the songs themselves were good, that bizarre vibralto from whomever it was just made me so sad every time… Made me miss Mj all the more.

    Anyway, looking forward to having the ORIGINALS on a REAL CD, and hoping that the “NEW” versions are as good as the new version of Speed Demon that was on last year’s release of BAD25! That song was honestly BETTER than MJ’s original from ’87! Just LOVE it!

    Just hoping that these producers don’t make it all sound like David Guetta… All these techno songs sound the same… and while they may sound contemporary NOW, they run the risk of sounding dated in 5 years from now, just like certain disco songs sound right from the ’80s, with their similar guitar rifts and synthesizer usage.

    The great thing about most of Michael’s material is that it DOESN’T sound dated, even after 30 years! I’m hoping they can get it right this time around. ♥

  51. Shirley Alves

    November 7, 2013 at 8:22 am

    In addition to the superb songs you already mentioned Damien, I’m wondering about oldies we’ve heard about like Love Never Felt So Good, You Were There, and Groove of Midnight, ballads that ended up being recorded by their writers, like Joy (prod:Teddy Riley) and To Satisfy You (prod: Bryan Loren) and dance track demos Work that Body, She Got It, Serious Effect, We Be Ballin, and the other myriad songs originally recorded during the Invincible and Dangerous sessions with Teddy Riley, Bryan Loren, Jimmy Jam/Lewis and Rodney Jerkins. I mean, wasn’t it Michael that originally wanted Dangerous to be a TRIPLE disc album? And wasn’t the 2001 Special Edition supposed to have indeed been a DOUBLE album before it was scrapped?? (Or are they saving these for a DANGEROUS 25 and INVINCIBLE 25?? That would be cool too! Although INVINCIBLE 25 seems too long of a wait for me!! LOL!)

    Additionally, I’d like to hear released versions of the songs MJ himself had short-listed for his next album, as seen on the songlist notes police found taped to his armoire at Carolwood on the day he died.

    I don’t know how far he’d got in the recording process on these songs, but it sure would be great to find out!

    The finished versions of Beautiful Girl and Scared of the Moon, for example, and tracks that we’d heard talked about but not actually heard, like Shut Up and Dance, Rock Tonight, Adore You, Ghost of Another Lover, Gloucheshire, and Breathe.

    The potential is much greater than most of us know… but I bet Brad Buxer and Bruce Swedien know!!!

    • Arjun Sanyal

      November 7, 2013 at 4:39 pm

      A 25th anniversary edition of ‘Invincible’ seems like a good idea, but without an anniversary edition of ‘Off The Wall’ or ‘HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I’, it seems a bit redundant. Also, I think it was ‘Bad’ that was meant to be a triple-disc album, not ‘Dangerous’.

  52. Francis Banda

    November 8, 2013 at 4:02 am

    If this album is comprised of leaked songs listed above, am not buying it period.I would rather listen to cascio tracks.Monster is Micheal jackson, they may have added someone sing famous he-he lines but it was Micheal singing with no doubt. You wanna know what sells? here is what sales. Look on youtube and see how many people viewed slave to the rhythm or loser? not many. What about “people of the world”? now that is a good song. Maybe add in one or two songs he did with queen. No remixes to feature any rapper! hip hop right now sucks. You guys need hardcore Jackson fans like me to have a listen to your stuff and i would tell you if his fans will like it or not. First day after release, i knew “Hollywood tonight” would be a hit and it was until you guys fumbled it by redoing a video with a Bilie Jean beat and it sucked even though it got some air play.Original version was awesome!
    The leaked songs suggested by this article suck. Bring out songs like “behind the mask” every fan knows was recorded during thriller yrs. But i repeat if you waste your energy remixing leaked songs except for 2.It will be a disaster and i will not buy it.I would rather you put cascio songs without publishing that they were made with cascio. Please pay attention.Only put two leaked songs.Want an idea on how to pick a song, try this.Ask yourself this while you try to put out a record, will this song be be played today and forgotten tomorrow? i also heard a bad idea of duets..please that project should never happen! if you ask me to even pay to a listening party of his songs, i can guarantee you that i can pick songs for you guys cuz i think you are about to do a bad job! reach me through email.

    • Shirley alves

      November 9, 2013 at 7:26 am

      I think you’ve got your words (and ears) mixed up. Monster is one of the LEAST-sounding Michael songs on the MICHAEL CD, along with Breaking News and the first half of Keep Your Head Up. The only real MJ on most of those songs are the “Hee Hee Hees”!! You say you’re a hard-core MJ fan, and yet, you’d rather listen to Cascio tracks that feature SOMEONE ELSE singing most of the lead vocals?? 🙁

      As for leaked REAL MJ songs, SO WHAT??? Just because some of the FANS have heard them, doesn’t mean THE WORLD has heard them, and THAT, to me, is a DAMN SHAME!! THE WORLD needs to hear Do You Know Where Your Children Are, Xscape, and Slave To The Rhythm!! These are EXCELLENT MJ tunes, completely finished BY MJ, in the last decade of his life, that would skyrocket to the top spot on the Billboard chart, if given the chance to be played on radio as a TRUE RELEASE promoted by SONY!! A leaked YouTube song can not be played on the radio in its entirety and therefore, can not generate more fan support from people who aren’t already avid MJ fans!

      Re the Billie Jean backbeat added to the REMIX of Hollywood Tonight, for your information, THAT version reached the NUMBER 1 spot on Billboard’s Dance Chart.

      ‘nuf said.

      • Arjun Sanyal

        November 9, 2013 at 3:25 pm

        I completely agree with Shirley on this – songs like ‘Xscape’ were even going to be released in 2003 as part of Michael’s eleventh studio album (it would have also featured ‘One More Chance’) – sadly, this was never released due to arguments between Michael and Sony – MICHAEL WANTED THESE TO BE RELEASED

      • Kile

        February 2, 2014 at 1:40 pm

        “My man” (in my Denzel Washington American gangsta voice)

        I always thought that those Cascio tracks are just garbage an ear sore that obvious tracks to replace them on the album was ” Beautiful girl”, “Blue gangsta” , and “Cheater” and just a whole other score of MJ songs sung by MJ not some sound alike.

        Also i would like to see some of the CBS recordings from the Jackson variety show find there way onto a album ” I shot the sheriff” ” C’mon get happy ” and other great songs

    • Shirley alves

      November 9, 2013 at 7:34 am

      Oh, and BTW, Behind the Mask was ALREADY released on the MICHAEL CD in 2010…. Maybe you should BUY that album…

      P.S. the MICHAEL CD producers ADDED to that version of Behind the Mask… adding LIVE audience noise & MJ talking to them (taken directly from the Dangerous Tour show), so I guess that makes it a REMIX of sorts.

  53. shanya ojjiwa

    November 13, 2013 at 3:36 pm

    there are so much songs i´ve never heard, but i want them as …..you can see in the link below
    http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/1236407

  54. Justin

    December 3, 2013 at 4:30 am

    PLEASE PLEASE i do hope A Place With No Name is on there… after listening tonight 10-15 times in a row. i want this one released officially.. it’s the BEST LEAK so far.

  55. Jadine Michael Fan

    December 6, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    I can’t wait for this new album, it would be amazing!
    I hope that they will release songs we’ve never heard, I think I already heard most of the songs. I saw a Chicago track on YouTube but that was a remix of Smooth Criminal en more other songs. I don’t know :p
    I can’t wait, I hope there is not going to be a lot of controversy about the new album like the Michael album. Owhhh I just can’t wait, I just want to run to the shops and buy it. I really hope it’s going to be a good album!!!

  56. BEN

    December 9, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    Why only one Bonus Track?

    “Behind the Mask”(!!!) and “Much too Soon” should also be released as both of them are know to have a final mix approved by MJ himself (BTM in 1982 & MTS in 1994)

    • Kile

      February 2, 2014 at 1:26 pm

      I think That you are so right. Its really a shame that Sony does not give the hard core MJ fans something to look forward to. ” Much Too soon” is an Amazing cut and would be awesome to have as a Hard copy single. Just release it with Walmart,Kmart ,and Amazon .

      Its the same with ” Al Capone ” It should have been released with remixes of it and “Smooth Criminal” as the B sides
      The same with ” I’m So Blue” and “Just good friends”

  57. MJalt

    December 11, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Personally, I am happy a new Michael album is coming out, and I am glad that they have made the effort to refine them. This will offer a new experience, albeit, a lot of those songs are leaked. Nevertheless, I am a bit disappointed that there will be already leaked songs, I was hoping for something completely new!

  58. uhscore

    December 16, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    i would just love it if they put some polished versions of old demos on it, like niteline, carousel and hot street especially.

  59. Martin

    December 27, 2013 at 11:09 am

    Hello Damien!

    Very good articel as usual. As we all can hope there will be a new album released next year.
    I am 29 years old now and have been Michael Jackson fan since I was 11. I am really excited that the Estate will release a new album. I have to admit that I didn´t like what happened to the album Michael in 2010. Knowing all Michael Jacksons songs from the beginning to the end and from the end to the beginning, it felt like three of the songs (Breaking News, Monster, Keep your head up) shouldn´t have been on the album. I thought they were put together really oddly. They really didn´t sound like Michael. I cannot say I am angry at the Estate though, as a fan I am really looking forward to new songs and videos of Michael (as an example in the studio). The Estate has done some incredible things like Immortal and MJ One. We have to be grateful for all the things Estate does.
    I hope Estate will consider all the things we have written here.
    Damien, if you happen to read this, does Estate even read the comments of the fans in different Michael Jackson forums? Do they take them into consideration?

    I will add my “fantasy” tracklist. I believe that if the new album consisted of at least 80% of these songs it would be a hit. In my tracklist you can find the songs Michael has recorded with various of other producers and the songs we all know but have not yet been released officially.

    So here we go:
    A- Side
    1. Blue Gangsta
    2. A Place With No Name
    3. She Was Lovin Me
    4. Escape
    5. I Was The Loser
    6.Do You Know Where You Children Are
    7.D.I.E – (Michael Jackson)
    8.Get Around – (Michael Jackson, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins)

    B-Side
    1. Kick It (Michael Jackson,
    2. Can’t Get Your Weight Off Of Me
    3. .The Future – (Michael Jackson, will.i.am)
    4.I Can See A Brighter Day – (Michael Jackson, Red One)
    5.I’m Still the King (with will.i.am)
    6.Chicago
    7.Miss You – (Michael Jackson, will.i.am)

    15 songs like the History album had.

    I know that will.i.am hasn´t agreed to publish the songs he made with Michael, but as a fan I am still hoping to see them on the album.
    I believe that if the album looked something like the above, it would be a 100% success.
    I am sure everyone would be pleased and the Estate would make up for the mess they made with the album Michael.

    Wishing you all the best!

  60. Insanity+Madness

    January 23, 2014 at 7:51 pm

    i’ve got so many unreleased songs, i want ‘pain’ ‘pressure’ and ‘seduction’ these songs sound interesting, and there should be a double album with 15 songs on each disc, first containing originals and second containing tim’s mixes

  61. michaeljacksonfan

    January 26, 2014 at 11:59 am

    ohhhh yeah !!! i had been waiting for something new of michael for a long time . it sounds incredible … he has died and he is still relasing albums , movies etc… michael’s fame won’t die , want it or not . he will be written in history books . michael came to stay forever ! :’)

  62. Deniz

    January 26, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    I’m waiting for Michael’s new album, I know it will be another wonderful and splendor album of his great work.

  63. ashley

    February 1, 2014 at 10:57 pm

    you need to change the album cover its terrible need to do it asap i just know im getting the album on spring cant wait but please change the album cover

  64. Kile

    February 2, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    I am a huge MJ fan and all this talk is exciting. I always thought that the estate would do a Michael 2.0 and exclude those Cascio tracks and include This is it ,Love never felt so good ,and the slave to the rhythm. But that would be to much like right I also thought that they would release more singles from the “Michael” album
    especially Much too soon , Another day, Best of joy . The same way with the “Bad” album “Al Capone” should be released as a single along side “Smooth criminal”. “I’m so blue” should be released with “Just good friends” The new “Speed demon” should have been released with “Free” All these could have been #1 singles just as ” I just cant stop loving You” and “Don’t Be messing Round” was. So after saying all that I hope Sony actually gives us die hard fans something to rally around and support. Also Lets See Moon Walker in 3D and in theaters. Shamone!!!!

  65. lavnish

    February 19, 2014 at 10:26 am

    I luv mj voice…..miss yu mj I’ll be watin so long for ne mj album pl …told her the releasin date

  66. lavnish sadh

    February 19, 2014 at 10:28 am

    luv u mj

  67. lavnish sadh

    February 19, 2014 at 10:29 am

    Michael michael michael michael michael michael…….

    new album iz cumin so xicited

  68. Sy

    February 24, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    I would love a new MJ album. I have all his previous work with Epic and CBS, Still collecting the Motown releases though. One thing I will say though is if this album is not released on 180g Heavyweight vinyl I will be severely angry.
    And don’t even try to tell me eyetoones are better- NO CHANCE IN HELL WILL I EVER DOWNLOAD AN MJ RECORDING.

  69. lavnish sadh

    February 28, 2014 at 6:53 am

    omg. you said in springs album is comin….but the springs are comin to end…….ltzz relaeased the album; plz

  70. johan a Stapkes

    March 31, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    yep , rumors… but we’r april and still… NOTHING! The estate said they would make another 9 albums? The next years after his death.. Well than i guess after the 2010 release its about time now… PLs hurry it up a bit! 😉

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Cascio Tracks

Producer Teddy Riley Comes Clean Regarding Fake Songs From Posthumous Michael Jackson Album

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Legendary producer Teddy Riley has spoken out against the controversial Michael Jackson album he worked on after the pop star’s death, claiming that he believes some of the tracks he was asked to remix for the project are fakes, but that he was “pushed” to say they were authentic.

“I just hope that the truth comes to light because it was never proven to me that it was Michael’s voice,” said Riley in a bombshell video published today by hard-hitting pop culture interviewer DJ Vlad for Vlad TV.

The songs in question, known as the Cascio tracks, were provided to Sony Music and the Estate of Michael Jackson by the pop star’s longtime friend Eddie Cascio and his collaborative partner James Porte.

Cascio and Porte claim that Jackson recorded 12 songs in Cascio’s basement shortly before his death. Three of those songs – “Keep Your Head Up,” “Breaking News” and “Monster” – were included on the Michael album in December 2010.

Riley, who worked extensively with Jackson throughout his life, remixed “Breaking News” and “Monster” for the posthumous project.

Initially, Jackson’s family gave Riley their blessing to work on the project. Michael’s nephew, Taryll Jackson, even joined Riley in the studio.

But upon hearing the Cascio tracks, Taryll believed the vocals were sung by an impostor.

When the rest of the Jackson family heard them, they felt the same way, taking to social media to denounce the Cascio tracks as fakes.

Amidst all the controversy, Riley and Cascio appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s talkshow, where they both insisted the vocals were the real deal.

But when interviewer DJ Vlad asked Riley about it, the producer made the explosive claim that he was forced to say the vocals were authentic:

“I was influenced and pushed to say the things that were said.”

The producer went on to explain that he initially demanded proof regarding the authenticity of the vocals, but that no such proof was ever presented.

“They would not prove it to me,” says Riley.

Riley also says that Jackson’s nephew, Taryll, encouraged him to distance himself from the tracks, but that Riley felt too intimidated by those in control of the project to do so.

“I felt I was dealing with some high, powerful people. And I didn’t want no problems at all.”

Riley explains that his decision to continue working on the Cascio tracks ultimately cost him his friendship with Taryll.

“I was like, Taryll, I already got paid. What do you expect me to do? And he stopped speaking to me for a while. And I was like damn, I lost my friend over this.”

Riley said that to be involved in another Michael Jackson project in the future, he would need proof that the vocals were authentic, and for the Jackson family to be on board and involved.

“[Michael] is their family. This is their brother, their son, their uncle,” said Teddy.

“I will not move until I have their blessing. But this time I want a real blessing. I’m not talking about money. I want a real blessing from the family.”

Riley also took the opportunity to apologise to fellow producer Quincy Jones.

During the interview, DJ Vlad reminded Riley that back in 2010, Riley accused Jones of being too old to know the difference between the real Michael Jackson and a fake Michael Jackson.

“My apologies, my apologies,” said Riley to Jones in the video. “I always wanted to say that, because Quincy is someone I look up to… He’s a guy that I worship as my idol.”

Riley’s interview with Vlad TV comes just months after Sony Music and the Michael Jackson Estate abandoned the Cascio tracks.

As part of the settlement of a consumer fraud lawsuit filed against them over the Michael album, Jackson’s estate and Sony removed the three commercially-released Cascio tracks – “Breaking News,” “Monster” and “Keep Your Head Up” – from streaming platforms around the world.

The corporations have also re-pressed the physical CD of the Michael album without the Cascio tracks, and are now selling the amended version via the official Michael Jackson shop online.

For those of you who are interested, a podcast series called Faking Michael, detailing the findings of my 12-year investigation of the Cascio tracks, is currently in production. Subscribe via Apple PodcastsSpotify or YouTube to be notified when episodes are released.


Damien Shields is the author of the book Michael Jackson: Songs & Stories From The Vault examining the King of Pop’s creative process, and the producer of the podcast The Genesis of Thriller which takes you inside the recording studio as Jackson and his team create the biggest selling album in music history.
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Huge Win for Michael Jackson Fan as Supreme Court Rejects Sony’s Free Speech Defense in “Fake” Songs Lawsuit

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Two ‘get out of jail free’ cards, used by lawyers for Sony to avoid facing the music in a consumer fraud lawsuit, were ripped to shreds by the California Supreme Court on Thursday last week.

As part of their ruling, the court determined that the description on a posthumous Michael Jackson album cover was indeed commercial speech — not free speech, as lawyers for Sony and Jackson’s estate had argued — and that consumers have a case if false or misleading statements were made in the description.

The unanimous ruling sets an important precedent for the protection of California consumers in cases of alleged fraud moving forward.

This case

The controversy centers around an album titled Michael, released 18 months after Michael Jackson’s death by his estate and Sony Music Entertainment.

Prior to the album’s December 2010 release, members of Jackson’s family claimed that three songs on Michael  — “Breaking News,” “Keep Your Head Up” and “Monster” — were fakes, with vocals sung by a Jackson impersonator.

But Sony and Jackson’s estate insisted the songs, which they acquired from the pop star’s friend Eddie Cascio and his collaborative partner James Porte, were the real deal.

The songs are known as the ‘Cascio tracks’.

In response to the controversy, Estate attorney Howard Weitzman said he’d conducted an “exhaustive investigation” during which a host of Jackson’s former producers had listened to the Cascio tracks and confirmed that the vocals were “definitely Michael”. 

But several of those producers dispute Weitzman’s version of events. You’ll hear their stories in an upcoming podcast series called Faking Michael.

Nevertheless, based on the purported findings of Weitzman’s investigation, Sony asserted their “complete confidence” in the authenticity of the Cascio tracks.

With the authenticity a matter of conjecture, fan Vera Serova relied on Sony and the Estate’s assurances — that the tracks on Michael were indeed sung by Jackson — when she decided to buy the album.

Further convincing Serova to hand over her money was the product description printed on the reverse side of the album cover. It stipulated that the vocals were “performed by Michael Jackson”.

But as evidence contradicting the official story emerged, Serova began to believe she’d been duped.

And so she hired a world-renowned forensic audiologist, who conducted a groundbreaking scientific examination of the vocals on the Cascio tracks. His opinion: the vocals weren’t Michael’s.

That forensic examination was the catalyst for what became an eight-year David versus Goliath legal battle, culminating in Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling.

Corporations can’t sell fake art as the real deal

“Relief has long been available in California to unwitting purchasers of imitation art who relied on false representations about authenticity” said the court in their 45-page opinion. 

“If Sony’s assertion that Jackson contributed lead vocals affects consumers’ experience of Michael, this illustrates how misrepresentations about an artist’s contributions can harm consumers in ways that matter to them.”

Executive director of the Berkeley Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice, Ted Mermin, who supported Serova in her battle with Sony, said:

“If we are buying an album that is marketed as being the songs of Michael Jackson, it had better have the songs of Michael Jackson.”

As well as setting an important legal precedent protecting California consumers, the court’s ruling inadvertently protects artists. 

Based on the ruling, there is no plausible excuse for falsely attributing fake works to famous artists. This puts songs on par with paintings and sculptures when it comes to outlawing art forgery.

The ruling is a huge win for creatives, whose reputation — and therefore livelihood and legacy — could be at stake if corporations were free to commercially exploit pastiches under their name.

“Misleading attributions on a record jacket might not only confuse consumers […] but also harm a performer’s reputation,” the court’s ruling states.

But what happens if a corporation sells a forgery without knowing it’s a forgery? This was also covered in the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Sony’s ‘lack of knowledge’ defense

Sony’s purported ‘lack of knowledge’ was raised by the corporation itself in a 2016 petition to be removed from Serova’s lawsuit.

At the time, lawyers for Sony and the Estate volunteered to argue their case based on the notion that the Cascio tracks were fakes, but that they ‘didn’t know’ at the time they released them back in 2010.

It should be made clear that this wasn’t an ‘admission’ that the Cascio tracks are indeed fake. Rather, it was their way of arguing that ‘even if’ the tracks are fake, they’ve done nothing wrong by selling them to fans as authentic Jackson material.

In a December 2016 trial court hearing, attorney Zia Modabber argued that to be liable for misleading consumers, Sony and the Estate had to know the songs were fake, adding that Cascio and Porte had “failed to disclose to Sony or the Estate that Michael Jackson did not provide the lead vocals.”

But the judge overseeing that hearing didn’t take kindly to Sony’s position, saying:

“I think what [Modabber] is saying here is. ‘We were duped… We didn’t know [Cascio and Porte] were recording stuff in a basement that wasn’t recorded by Michael. [Cascio and Porte] told us it was Michael. We believed it was Michael.’”

The judge accused Sony of throwing Cascio and Porte under the bus before ruling in Serova’s favour, ordering Sony to face the music. 

But Sony appealed, and in 2018 the appeals court took Sony’s side, dismissing the corporation from the lawsuit. 

Serova then challenged the decision to dismiss Sony, petitioning the California Supreme Court to intervene, which they did.

That, in a nutshell, is how we got to Thursday’s ruling — arguments for which were heard by the court on May 24, 2022.

During that May 24 hearing, Modabber again argued that Sony couldn’t be held accountable because they didn’t know the vocals were bogus when they released them in 2010.

But on Thursday, the court rejected Sony’s lack of knowledge defense once and for all, stating that if ignoring evidence was all a corporation had to do to get away with fraud, false advertising laws would be redundant.

“If ignorance around a product’s authenticity were a legitimate defense against false advertising claims, sellers would be incentivized to know as little as possible about their own products,” said the court in their ruling.

“Sellers making claims about their offerings surely do not avoid false advertising regulation […] by scrupulously declining to verify those claims or to acquire knowledge.”

Jeremy Bollinger, one of the attorneys representing Serova, told the LA Times that the court’s ruling was not only a victory for his client, but for all music and art consumers.

“The decision confirmed that it doesn’t matter whether the seller has personal knowledge of the veracity of its statements about its products,” Bollinger said. “If you’re going to sell something, you’re responsible for those representations.”

If they didn’t know in 2010, they knew by 2018

As we discussed earlier: back in 2010, before the Michael album was released, questions were raised regarding the authenticity of the Cascio tracks. 

At that time, several people told Estate attorney Howard Weitzman that they did not believe the vocalist was Michael. They alleged it was another singer, named Jason Malachi.

In response, Estate attorney Howard Weitzman claimed that he spoke to Malachi and confirmed that he wasn’t involved. 

But when fans heard the Cascio tracks, many identified Malachi’s voice — not Jackson’s — on the tracks.

Further validating the reaction of fans was Malachi’s longtime producer, Tony Kurtis. In a barrage of comments posted via YouTube, Kurtis stated that he knew “without a doubt” that Malachi was the vocalist.

Even the aforementioned audiologist noted in his forensic report that the dialect and vibrato of the Cascio vocalist were consistent with Malachi, but not with Jackson.

Then, in early 2018, Malachi hired a lawyer. 

That lawyer then contacted Vera Serova’s legal team to discuss Malachi’s involvement with the Cascio tracks.

Serova and her lawyers claim that Malachi’s lawyer said that his client wanted to help resolve Serova’s litigation with Sony — and to get paid for his involvement.

A meeting between Malachi’s lawyer, Serova’s lawyers and lawyers for Sony and the Estate was arranged.

But according to Serova’s lawyers, the day before the meeting was set to take place, Sony and the Estate cancelled it, and communications with Malachi’s lawyer came to an abrupt end.

For the four years that followed Malachi’s attempted intervention, Sony and the Estate continued to argue their ‘lack of knowledge’ defense, while also continuing to commercially exploit the Cascio tracks as authentic Jackson recordings.

Calls and emails to Malachi and his lawyer — offering them the right of reply — were not returned.

Why don’t Sony and the Estate sue Cascio and Porte for fraud?

In their 45-page ruling, the California Supreme Court supposed that if the Cascio tracks are indeed fake, Sony and the Estate would want to file a fraud action against Cascio and Porte for duping them, stating:

“Presumably, Sony would seek to invoke any warranties, or assert fraud or other claims, against Cascio and his associates if it believed they peddled fake recordings.”

But in this case, it’s the exact opposite.

In fact, Sony and the Estate have stood firmly behind Cascio and Porte since 2010, regardless of the overwhelming evidence and public outcry against them — something that no one, including Jackson’s family, fans and former collaborators can understand.

Songs removed, case closed

In a somewhat anticlimactic end to their eight-year legal battle, just days before the Supreme Court issued its ruling, Sony and the Estate reached a settlement agreement with Serova.

As part of the settlement, Sony and the Estate were forced to remove the Cascio tracks from digital retailers and streaming platforms around the world.

Based on Serova’s statements over the years, it was clear that no settlement could have been reached without this demand being met.

It should be noted that, according to Serova, she did not receive any money as part of her settlement.

As she has maintained from the beginning of her legal action, Serova’s main objective in filing this lawsuit was justice for Michael Jackson, his art and his fans. 

And while Sony hasn’t offered refunds — or an apology — to fans who feel they’ve been duped, the removal of the Cascio tracks from digital platforms worldwide has gone a long way to restoring the integrity of Jackson’s discography.

But despite the Supreme Court’s ruling — that the wording on a CD cover is subject to consumer protection laws — it appears Sony and the Estate have opted against recalling CD copies of Michael from music stores or other retailers around the world. 

This is surprising.

The case with Serova is settled only with Serova, meaning anyone else who purchased the album within the statute of limitations — or anyone who might buy the album in the future — would be able to sue Sony and the Estate just like Serova did.

The only difference is that a potential future plaintiff wouldn’t have to argue that the wording on the album cover was commercial speech, or contend with a ‘lack of knowledge’ defense from the corporations.

Now that the case is settled, will the truth regarding the Cascio tracks and the Michael album ever be told?

After selling the Cascio tracks as authentic Jackson recordings for almost 12 years — since December 2010 — Sony and the Estate’s settlement with Serova seems to have absolved Cascio and Porte of liability. At no point were the alleged forgers required to testify under oath, or prove the authenticity of their songs.

And while Sony and the Estate have stated that the recent removal of the Cascio tracks from digital platforms is the “simplest and best way to move beyond the conversation associated with these tracks once and for all,” many of Jackson’s most dedicated fans continue to demand answers.

My forthcoming true crime podcast series Faking Michael will explore those answers, taking listeners behind the scenes to uncover the music industry scandal they were never meant to hear about.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be notified when episodes become available.


Damien Shields is the author of the book Michael Jackson: Songs & Stories From The Vault examining the King of Pop’s creative process, and the producer of the podcast The Genesis of Thriller which takes you inside the recording studio as Jackson and his team create the biggest selling album in music history.
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Alleged Forgeries Removed From Michael Jackson’s Online Catalog After 12 Years of Protests and a Fraud Lawsuit

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Three songs alleged to have been falsely attributed to Michael Jackson were abandoned by the pop star’s estate and record company this week after 12 years of fan protests and a consumer fraud lawsuit.

The alleged forgeries – known as the ‘Cascio tracks’ – come from a collection of 12 songs which producers Eddie Cascio and James Porte claim Jackson secretly recorded in Cascio’s basement in the fall of 2007.

The 12 Cascio tracks were sold to Jackson’s estate a year after the pop star’s death, and three of them – “Breaking News,” “Keep Your Head Up” and “Monster” – were officially released by Sony Music on the Michael album in December 2010.

But Jackson’s fans insist the songs are fakes, with vocals sung by an impostor, and they’ve been demanding the tracks be removed from Jackson’s catalog for the past 12 years.

This week, they got their wish, with the controversial songs being removed from streaming platforms around the world. Jackson’s estate also appear to have discontinued the original 10-track CD version of the Michael album, replacing it with a 7-track edition which can now be ordered from their official website.

But according to a joint statement issued by Jackson’s estate and Sony – who are currently co-defendants in a class action lawsuit which alleges that the Cascio tracks are fakes – their decision to abandon the tracks had nothing to do with their disputed authenticity:

“The Estate of Michael Jackson and Sony Music decided to remove the tracks ‘Breaking News,’ ‘Monster’ and ‘Keep Your Head Up,’ from the 2010 ‘Michael’ album as the simplest and best way to move beyond the conversation associated with these tracks once and for all,” reads the statement, adding that “nothing should be read into this action concerning the authenticity of the tracks – it is just time to move beyond the distraction surrounding them.”

But many fans aren’t accepting Sony and the Estate’s position, because the “conversation associated with these tracks” is founded entirely on their disputed authenticity. According to some fans, removing the songs while defending their authenticity is not way to move “beyond the distraction surrounding them.”

And despite the fact that the “conversation associated with these tracks” has persisted relentlessly for 12 years, Sony and the Estate continued to sell the tracks to unwitting consumers throughout that entire period, while reaping millions of dollars from what many believe are brazen forgeries.

Until now.

The Jackson family tried to warn them

Prior to the release of the Michael album in 2010, several members of the Jackson family tried to reason with the Estate, informing them that the vocals on the Cascio tracks were not Michael’s while urging them not to move forward with their release.

Michael’s siblings Randy, Jermaine and Latoya all claimed that the vocals on the tracks did not belong to their brother.

They were ignored.

Michael’s mother – Estate beneficiary and family matriarch, Katherine Jackson – raised her voice against the tracks.

She was also ignored.

Michael’s oldest brother, Jackie Jackson, also came out against the Cascio tracks, revealing that both he and Estate co-executor John McClain had insisted for many weeks that the alleged forgeries should be removed from the album.

Their concerns were “not taken seriously.”

Michael’s nephews Taryll, TJ and Taj from the group 3T also spoke out, taking to social media to dispute the authenticity of the songs and raise awareness regarding some of what went on behind the scenes. 

Once again, their concerns were ignored.

In a statement issued on the 5th of November 2010, Sony asserted their “complete confidence” in the authenticity of the tracks. It was even reported that two independent forensic musicologists had verified that the vocals were Jackson’s.

Fans reject Breaking News

On the 8th of November 2010, five weeks before the Michael album was officially released, Sony unveiled one of the Cascio tracks – “Breaking News” – in a world premiere on Michael Jackson’s website.

When fans heard the track, they revolted. 

Many rejected the notion that Michael was the vocalist while pointing the finger at another singer named Jason Malachi.

But as they’d done with the Jackson family, Sony and the Estate ignored the opinions of fans.

Instead of reconsidering their plan to release the Cascio tracks, the Estate opted to gaslight fans in a statement, claiming that they’d investigated the authenticity of the vocals and believed “without reservation” that they were indeed Michael’s.

The following month the Estate and Sony took things a step further, stipulating in no uncertain terms that the vocals were “performed by Michael Jackson” on the back cover of the Michael album – released in the U.S. on the 14th of December 2010. 

ABOVE: RESERVE SIDE OF MICHAEL ALBUM COVER

They also arranged for Eddie Cascio to defend the authenticity of his songs on the Oprah Winfrey show. The Jackson family, however, were not invited to tell their side of the story.

The lawsuit

In June 2014, Michael Jackson fan Vera Serova filed a class action consumer fraud lawsuit against Jackson’s estate, Sony, Eddie Cascio, James Porte and their production company.

In her lawsuit, Serova alleges that Cascio and Porte are the masterminds of an “elaborate artistic fraud” in which they forged a collection of fake songs, and that Sony and the Estate misled her and others by attributing those forgeries to Michael Jackson on the Michael album.

As part of her lawsuit, Serova demanded the removal of the Cascio tracks from Jackson’s discography – a demand which now seems to have been met.

But despite the Cascio tracks having now been removed, Serova’s lawsuit remains ongoing.

It has been reported by the media this past week that Sony and the Estate won this case in 2018. 

This is simply not true.

In fact, Serova actually won the initial ruling on Sony and the Estate’s involvement in this case back in 2016. At that time, Sony and the Estate had tried to shirk responsibility, but were ordered to face the music by the Los Angeles Superior Court.

But Sony and the Estate felt they’d done nothing wrong and appealed that ruling – an appeal on which they prevailed in 2018.

In turn, Serova fought back, petitioning the California Supreme Court for review.

And based on the Supreme Court’s view that the appeal court’s ruling was legally “problematic,” Serova won her bid for review.

Oral arguments in that review were heard by the state Supreme Court the 24th of May 2022. 

A ruling has not yet been made, but is expected soon.

Sony and the Estate will need to prevail to be officially removed from litigation once and for all. If they don’t prevail, they’ll remain defendants in this case.

As of today (July 7), neither party has definitively prevailed and there is no judgment.

As mentioned, the original producers of the Cascio tracks – Eddie Cascio and James Porte – have also been sued as part of Serova’s lawsuit. They are sued with fraud, and that aspect of the lawsuit also remains ongoing.

You can hear my opinion on the removal of the Cascio tracks and much more below, in a roundtable discussion hosted by Michael Jackson podcast The MJCast:

I am also working on a podcast series called Faking Michael detailing the ins and outs of the Cascio tracks and the Michael album. Subscribe via podcast apps to be alert when episodes are released in the future.


Damien Shields is the author of the book Michael Jackson: Songs & Stories From The Vault examining the King of Pop’s creative process, and the producer of the podcast The Genesis of Thriller which takes you inside the recording studio as Jackson and his team create the biggest selling album in music history.
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