The project was spearheaded by Epic Records CEO L.A. Reid, who was tasked with curating an album that respected Jackson’s legacy while introducing his genius to a new generation. The result was a dual-pronged release: the Deluxe Edition of Xscape offered fans both a modernized “contemporized” version of each song and the original demos, allowing for a fascinating musical archaeology of the late artist’s process.
The Deluxe Edition also included a high-profile bonus track: a reworked version of "Love Never Felt So Good" featuring Justin Timberlake. Produced by Timbaland, the duet seamlessly blended Timberlake’s contemporary R&B style with Jackson's archival vocals. The track became a massive global hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and making Jackson the first artist in history to score a Top 10 hit in five different decades.
Posthumous albums are notoriously difficult to execute. They frequently walk a thin line between honoring an artist's unfinished vision and exploiting vault leftovers. When Epic Records and the Michael Jackson Estate released Xscape on May 13, 2014, the music industry watched with skepticism. However, the Xscape -Deluxe Edition- silenced doubters. It proved to be a critically acclaimed, commercially successful project that set a new gold standard for archival releases. By pairing modernized reinventions with the raw, original source material, the deluxe package offered an unprecedented look into the creative evolution of the King of Pop. The Genesis: Curating the Vault Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014
Michael Jackson’s Xscape -Deluxe Edition- (2014): A Masterclass in Posthumous Preservation
Jerkins returned to update his own work, keeping the original's frantic energy but sharpening the horns, drums, and bass to give it a futuristic 21st-century gloss. Why the Deluxe Edition is Vital The project was spearheaded by Epic Records CEO L
The creation of Xscape was a passion project spearheaded by L.A. Reid, the then-chairman and CEO of Epic Records. In a surprising turn, it was Reid who approached the Michael Jackson estate to curate a new album, rather than the other way around. He was given access to decades of archival material, containing hundreds of unreleased tracks. Reid’s mission was clear: to present Jackson's vocal performances in a fresh, contemporary context while maintaining the essence of his artistry.
The title track, and the only song modernized by its original producer, Rodney Jerkins. Originally intended for Invincible , Jerkins gave the frantic, anti-paparazzi anthem a sleek, futuristic face-lift. Why the Deluxe Edition is Vital: The Original Versions The Deluxe Edition also included a high-profile bonus
Timbaland maintained the track's soulful, feel-good essence but coated it in a smooth, modern neo-soul sheen, making it an instant standout. 4. "A Place with No Name"
: The lead single, originally a 1983 demo with Paul Anka, was transformed into a disco-pop anthem.