Xscape

Michael Jackson's Xscape, released on May 13, 2014, is a posthumous compilation that reimagines eight tracks the singer recorded between 1980 and 1999. Epic Records and MJJ Music issued the album, with Epic chairman L.A. Reid serving as executive producer. Reid tapped Timbaland to lead a production team that included Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, and John McClain. They took Jackson's original vocal recordings and built fresh instrumentation around them, creating a sound that blends his classic pop and R&B with modern beats. The standard edition features these eight reworked songs, while the deluxe version adds the original demos, a bonus remix, and two music videos.

The album's title track, "Xscape," was recorded in 1999 but never finished; the reworked version brings it to life with a driving groove. Other highlights include "Love Never Felt So Good," a duet with Justin Timberlake that became Jackson's first posthumous top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and "A Place with No Name," which samples America's "A Horse with No Name." The project was designed to appeal to a younger audience while staying true to Jackson's vocal style, a departure from the controversial Michael album of 2010, which had faced criticism over the authenticity of some vocals.

Xscape debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and reached number one in the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, and Spain. By the end of 2014, it had earned gold certification from the RIAA. Critics generally praised the production for preserving Jackson's voice without heavy manipulation, and the album was seen as a respectful tribute that introduced his music to a new generation. [edit]