[m&ms]

http://www.mediafire...a0xd884vw44w83q

[Mirabela]

Thanks for the album my dear!

[Ben S]

I downloaded the album about around an hour and a half ago. I just wanted to hear the full version of Behind The Mask more than anything. I haven't really listened to the other songs properly yet, but they do have that Hip Hop over produced feel to them and I think they will date quite badly as the producers have reworked Michael's original finished songs and demos. If Michael was alive I would wouldn't even consider hearing his new album before it was released, as I loved the whole ritual of going out to buy Michael's new music in HMV etc, then waiting till I got him to listen to the music and look at the album cover and notes etc. Not with this album, as I don't have the anticipation I would have had because I know Michael's estate and Sony haven't paid as much care, attention and respect to Michael's unreleased songs and album art work that they should have done. The shoulders on the body for Michael's head on the cover don't match, and are nothing like Michael's refined broad shoulders. The album cover shoulders sloop down very badly, nothing like Michael's.

Behind The Mask is the unreleased song of Michael's I've wanted to hear the most for years.

I am disappointed John McClain has chosen to add a 2010 instrumental with digital sounding beats to Behind The Mask. This 2010 version sounds really good, and I do like it. But it does sound like a remix and not cohesive or like a real Michael Jackson song.

I don't think the instrumental composition of the song is fully in sync with Michael vocals. The sax at the beginning and middle of the song don't sound a cohesive part of the song, neither do the screams of fans. I think strong synth sound would have been far better intro and middle of the song than the sax.

It's Michael's vocals on this 2010 remix (of what I say is still an unreleased song, because it's not the original 1982 version) of Behind The Mask that make me want to listen to the song again and again. Michael's vocals are awesome, and razor sharp.

What ever Michael's original 1982 version of Behind The Mask sounded like, John McClain should have stuck to it. I presume the instrumental of Michael's original sounded very strong like Greg Phillinganes 1984 version.

I just hope some fan takes Michael's vocals and puts it on the instrumental of Greg Phillinganes version. Because that will be near to the original Michael would have made. I hope at some stage Sony will release the original 1982 mix of Behind The Mask, it's not too much to ask as it's what they should have given us fans in the first place. Hearing this 2010 mix is like what Michael's 2008 mix of Wanna Be Startin Somethin with Akon sounds like, as far as the instrumental goes, ie very current but no where near as funky or ahead of it's time as the 1982 original. Many artists and bands want an early 1980's sound. It was a time when producers knew about orchestration, and did more than create repetitive beats that date in less than 3yrs, which is all these current Hip Hop and R&B producers do. I never really liked Michael working with the likes of Teddy Riley and Rodney Jerkins. I understand why he worked with them, and they did create some amazing songs with Michael like Jam and Unbreakable. But with no Michael, Teddy Riley should stay away from Michael's music. No one should touch his music. Could you imagine the fuss that would be made of Paul McCartney died, and unreleased Beatles songs were released and tampered with by producer Mark Ronson on a new album. That's what's happened to Michael's music and not enough has been done to complain about this whole project.

All these producers should stop tampering with Michael's music, and release finished unreleased music and demos as Michael left them.

This post has been edited by Ben S: 06 December 2010 - 07:54 PM

[MJzAngel]

Oh thank you!!

[m&ms]

Ben S, on 06 December 2010 - 07:42 PM, said:

If Michael was alive I would wouldn't even consider hearing his new album before it was released, as I loved the whole ritual of going out to buy Michael's new music in HMV etc, then waiting till I got him to listen to the music and look at the album cover and notes etc.

Ben, totally agree. I remember going through the roof of my mum's car when they played Black or White first time in the radio... but things have changed. I do also believe that if he were HERE none of the songs would have leaked. Either in part, nor in full, not to even mention the whole album.

I've listened to it now three times and have to say what strikes me most is that it is done so quickly! No 6 min Earth Song etc. But yeah if they only have "raw" vocals there's not much to do.

In all honesty I have to also admit that I like the album.

I think Hollywood Tonight is a perfect MJ Killer song. And I also like Keep your head up and Monster quite a bit. Too bad Blue Gangsta is not on. With those 10 quite short songs, they could have easily added Do You Know Where Your Children Are, Blue Gangsta, Slave to the Rhythm, Place with no name.

Behind the mask is not my 100% favourite. It somehow sounds wrong, and then again it does sound fine. I can't say. Funny.

[tinyGe]

first of all, thank you for uploading full album. i had never hear before behind the mask, best of joy and hollywood tonight.
i also agree Ben S and i think, that this was littlebit wrong to release in internet before official releasing, but it's ok. we all wanted hear new songs and i'm sure, that all of michaels fans wanna have original CD, and we all gonna buy it.


i really like full album. i have to say, hollywood tonight is really good song. also i like monster with 50 cent. another day's new sound is great!

Quote

Too bad Blue Gangsta is not on. With those 10 quite short songs, they could have easily added Do You Know Where Your Children Are, Blue Gangsta, Slave to the Rhythm, Place with no name.

totally agree! i love this songs and wanted so bad in album. but it's ok, i think "MICHAEL" going to be number1

: ))

This post has been edited by tinyGe: 07 December 2010 - 08:56 AM

[Ben S]

m&ms, on 07 December 2010 - 07:45 AM, said:

Ben, totally agree. I remember going through the roof of my mum's car when they played Black or White first time in the radio... but things have changed. I do also believe that if he were HERE none of the songs would have leaked. Either in part, nor in full, not to even mention the whole album.

I've listened to it now three times and have to say what strikes me most is that it is done so quickly! No 6 min Earth Song etc. But yeah if they only have "raw" vocals there's not much to do.

In all honesty I have to also admit that I like the album.

I think Hollywood Tonight is a perfect MJ Killer song. And I also like Keep your head up and Monster quite a bit. Too bad Blue Gangsta is not on. With those 10 quite short songs, they could have easily added Do You Know Where Your Children Are, Blue Gangsta, Slave to the Rhythm, Place with no name.

Behind the mask is not my 100% favourite. It somehow sounds wrong, and then again it does sound fine. I can't say. Funny.

Things have changed, and I remember when Bad was released in 1987 and the songs from it were played on the radio randomly on the radio no earlier than one day before the album release. Or when the Black Or White single got it's radio airplay just 1 week before it was released as a single, and I'd wait by the radio until it came on and pressed record.

I don't mind hearing one or two songs from an album before release, and if Michael was still with us I would download one or two songs before release I would be buying it anyway, as I have already pre-ordered the Michael album. But what I'm saying is if Michael were alive I would resist listening or downloading a whole new album leaked online. And know without Michael I didn't mind doing so, only because I knew as soon as I saw the new album cover and heard Breaking News that this album doesn't do Michael proud, as not enough attention to the quality of Michael's music has been given by the producers and Sony.

I have to say I like the new album more than I did yesterday. But it's still very over produced and most of the songs don't sound cohesive. Despite he not so great instrumental composition, bad sax and stupid crowd noises, and the fact Behind The Mask sounds like an remix and not a song. It is my favorite song on Michael. I really love (I Can't Wait) Another Day, and really like Best Of Joy. Hollywood Tonight is a great song but over produced (though I still haven't listened to it enough. So this view may change). Monster is good, not the best of Michael's songs but in my view. But I love his vocals on it.

Do you have an idea what songs the producers only had Michael's raw vocals to work on. They obviously had a fully finished song to work on with (I Like) The Way You Love Me. The original 2000-2004 version The Way You Love Me on The Ultimate Collection is much better as it's brilliantly produced just by Michael. Neff-U has gone over the top with his production. I only like the recording of Michael singing and beat boxing (on the phone or in the studio) that has been added to the 2010 version of (I Like) The Way You Love Me).

Your right that Blue Gangsta should have been included. I'm not too in to A Place With No Name, but a lot of fans love it.

This post has been edited by Ben S: 07 December 2010 - 06:28 PM

[MJSunshine]

m&ms, on 07 December 2010 - 07:45 AM, said:

I do also believe that if he were HERE none of the songs would have leaked. Either in part, nor in full, not to even mention the whole album.

Hasn't the complete Invincible album been leaked online before its release? I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but I think that's what happened. I don't think Michael could have changed anything about the leaks, but maybe we as his fans would have reacted differently.

[omgosh]

The album would leak regardless if Michael was here or not. All albums by the top artists leak from Beyonce on down. You can't stop it because it gets out during shipping and they HAVE to ship it at least one week before otherwise it would never get in by time of the release date. They wait as long as they can these days to ship albums.

[c85]

Ben S, on 07 December 2010 - 06:16 PM, said:

Things have changed, and I remember when Bad was released in 1987 and the songs from it were played on the radio randomly on the radio no earlier than one day before the album release. Or when the Black Or White single got it's radio airplay just 1 week before it was released as a single, and I'd wait by the radio until it came on and pressed record.

I don't mind hearing one or two songs from an album before release, and if Michael was still with us I would download one or two songs before release I would be buying it anyway, as I have already pre-ordered the Michael album. But what I'm saying is if Michael were alive I would resist listening or downloading a whole new album leaked online. And know without Michael I didn't mind doing so, only because I knew as soon as I saw the new album cover and heard Breaking News that this album doesn't do Michael proud, as not enough attention to the quality of Michael's music has been given by the producers and Sony.

I have to say I like the new album more than I did yesterday. But it's still very over produced and most of the songs don't sound cohesive. Despite he not so great instrumental composition, bad sax and stupid crowd noises, and the fact Behind The Mask sounds like an remix and not a song. It is my favorite song on Michael. I really love (I Can't Wait) Another Day, and really like Best Of Joy. Hollywood Tonight is a great song but over produced (though I still haven't listened to it enough. So this view may change). Monster is good, not the best of Michael's songs but in my view. But I love his vocals on it.

Do you have an idea what songs the producers only had Michael's raw vocals to work on. They obviously had a fully finished song to work on with (I Like) The Way You Love Me. The original 2000-2004 version The Way You Love Me on The Ultimate Collection is much better as it's brilliantly produced just by Michael. Neff-U has gone over the top with his production. I only like the recording of Michael singing and beat boxing (on the phone or in the studio) that has been added to the 2010 version of (I Like) The Way You Love Me).

Your right that Blue Gangsta should have been included. I'm not too in to A Place With No Name, but a lot of fans love it.

[Ben S]

omgosh, on 08 December 2010 - 08:15 AM, said:

The album would leak regardless if Michael was here or not. All albums by the top artists leak from Beyonce on down. You can't stop it because it gets out during shipping and they HAVE to ship it at least one week before otherwise it would never get in by time of the release date. They wait as long as they can these days to ship albums.

What you have said is very true.

I'm not too bothered about albums leaking online before they are released. My only is issue with the ease of downloading music for free in general. Is that there are people who regard themselves as Michael Jackson fans, but have never bought a Michael Jackson album in their life and have no intention of doing so, and have just download or been sent the mp3 files of Michael's albums for free. Michael is the first time I've downloaded an album before it's official release. But I and many other fans will still be buying it on CD (I've got mine on pre-order from Amazon), and real fans want the offical version with all information on the music. Because they want to know more about there favorite artists creativity, and for use that artist is Michael Jackson. Who was far more than an entertainer, he was an artist the way of pure genius in his multiple areas of music, performance and film making, fashion etc.

It's not really the money and an artist like Michael not getting paid for lost sales, it's the fact fans really don't get to know the music of an artist like Michael Jackson. I've seen some on sites post questions like "Who wrote Billie Jean", or "When was the Dangerous album released". With these so called fans thinking Michael is just a singer and dancer ie "entertainter" (a term I never use for Michael, as I find it misleading),and that Quincy Jones wrote all of Michael's songs (if they even know who Quincy Jones is) not a musician who wrote the majority of his most innovative and classic songs without any collaborations, and co-produced, produced and arranged the majority of the songs he recorded.

This post has been edited by Ben S: 08 December 2010 - 05:41 PM

[MJSunshine]

I bought my real copy of the album today. Although the release is set for Dec 10th, some stores here have already sold it today.

I didn't expect it to be as emotional to hear the songs and read the booklet. Especially the booklet caught me. My opinion about the Cascio tracks hasn't changed. I didn't hear all of the other tracks and really love most of them. A bit too much computer work in general. Will have to listen to it again and again to make my opinion Michael, I miss you!

[visage]

MJSunshine, on 08 December 2010 - 08:38 PM, said:

I bought my real copy of the album today. Although the release is set for Dec 10th, some stores here have already sold it today.

I didn't expect it to be as emotional to hear the songs and read the booklet. Especially the booklet caught me. My opinion about the Cascio tracks hasn't changed. I didn't hear all of the other tracks and really love most of them. A bit too much computer work in general. Will have to listen to it again and again to make my opinion Michael, I miss you!

Jackie Jackson reported "My friend John McClain (co-executor) and I have insisted for many weeks to have certain tracks removed from Michael's new album." http://twitter.com/J...040574249017344

Taryll Jackson was an eyewitness to the meeting & disputes the account in the Estate's letter, including the outcome. http://twitlonger.com/show/6uki8f
When he made inquiries about some songs like "Breaking News" he was told the takes were deleted, the hard drive was destroyed & the computer was broken.
http://twitlonger.com/show/6s7j61

I think that a lot of fans are share Jackie Jackson and 3T's thoughts, they support the album i.e. most of the songs except for the Cascio tracks. I agree about the tracks sounding 'over-done'. It's not just an issue of the authenticity of his vocals, it's also how the track was put together. Maybe that can be said about the music today in general, "too much computer work". It makes the music from the past sound more 'real'.

[m&ms]

Ben S, on 07 December 2010 - 06:16 PM, said:

I have to say I like the new album more than I did yesterday. But it's still very over produced and most of the songs don't sound cohesive. Despite he not so great instrumental composition, bad sax and stupid crowd noises, and the fact Behind The Mask sounds like an remix and not a song. It is my favorite song on Michael. I really love (I Can't Wait) Another Day, and really like Best Of Joy. Hollywood Tonight is a great song but over produced (though I still haven't listened to it enough. So this view may change). Monster is good, not the best of Michael's songs but in my view. But I love his vocals on it.

Do you have an idea what songs the producers only had Michael's raw vocals to work on. They obviously had a fully finished song to work on with (I Like) The Way You Love Me. The original 2000-2004 version The Way You Love Me on The Ultimate Collection is much better as it's brilliantly produced just by Michael. Neff-U has gone over the top with his production. I only like the recording of Michael singing and beat boxing (on the phone or in the studio) that has been added to the 2010 version of (I Like) The Way You Love Me).

It is overproduced. Plus with all the many "cooks" it can't be cohesive. It's more like a quilt being patched together. In a certain sense it has to be, because they try to fill the hole that Michael's genius only could have filled.

I really, really like Hollywood Tonight, just for the Beatboxing alone . Having said that I really like Keep Your Head up as well and Hold my hand, and Much too soon. Monster and Breaking News have their moments too :-) So, for the time being, I don't have any favourite on the album, they are all pretty much even with one another. Except for Behind the mask that may be trailing a tiny bit. I would have preferred a "cleaner" version (mixing the live stuff in is beyond me, and it has too many other sounds).

Well from what I gathered the only really RAW a capella tracks are for Keep your head up, Monster, Breaking news.

Rumour has it that:
Much too soon vocals are from 1994,
Another day from 1999,
Best of Joy he finished before coming to London cause it was supposed to be some surprise release/song,
The way you love me was 2001,
Hold my hand was what 2006 or so,
Behind the Mask is from the 80s,
Hollywood Tonight also from Invincible session.

Sunshine, is Bruce Swedien listed in the booklet at all having worked with the album? If not then that's a big mistake given that he would be the closest to knowing what Michael liked when it came to studio work. When he is listed, then that is the best they could do...

Well... how does one replace a genius!

[Ben S]

I hope I receive the Michael album from Amazon before it's official release date on Monday. Sometimes I've received Blu-rays and DVD's a few days before it's official release. That is what happened when I pre-ordered "Michael Jackson's This Is It" on both Blu-ray and DVD, and I received them two days before their official release.

I don't know anything about John McClain except he has very close ties with the Jackson family, and is supposed to have known Michael since 1976. If this is the case, I'm surprised how little understanding of Michael's music he has. Take the song Behind The Mask (I'm obsessed with this song, LOL), why did he think putting a very dated sax intro and middle bridge section on to the song with live fan screams on it. Since when did Michael ever start a song in concert with a slow sax intro that has no power. The Start of the song should have been of a electronic keyboard like the Greg Phillinganes version. If not It should he should have done something with Drums and got Jonathan "Sugerfoot" Moffet (Michael's main drummer from over 30yr)to had a solo intro. The middle bridge instrumental should have been and electronic keyboard solo. And Michael's vocals, not 1991's one hit wonder Shanice's pointless vocals. Michael always had cool ad-lib's for the end fade out's of his songs. John McClain really ruined this song, and disappointed me and a lot of fans who's wanted to hear Michael's original vocal version of Behind The Mask from 1982 for many years.

Some songs seem like they have cut and pasted Michael's vocals and beatboxing from other songs or demos. I love (I Can't Take It) Another Day, but when Michael's sings at the end "It's just too much for me, It's just too much for me" I can't work out if this was a new vocal from the recording of this song, or taken from a background vocal from the song "2 Bad" from the HIStory album. And it's not like Michael too sing the exact say ad-lib the same way on a different song. Michael always came up with something new and exciting vocally. The beat-boxing on both Hollywoood Tonight and Behind The Mask sounds the same to me, and I'm not sure if it was taken from recording or demo.

I haven't got the official album with the booklet yet. But I wouldn't be surprised if none of the main people who worked on Michael's music like Bruce Swedien weren't involved with the album. If they were, they should have done something too prevent the producers tampering and rearranging some of the songs that were 100% finished, or demos that already sounded close to finished. For example on The Ultimate Collection boxset, my favorite song on it "Sunset Driver" is classed as a demo. And that song is amazing, and sounds perfect to me and most fans even though Michael never finished it.

[m&ms]

Ben S, on 09 December 2010 - 12:45 PM, said:

I don't know anything about John McClain except he has very close ties with the Jackson family, and is supposed to have known Michael since 1976. If this is the case, I'm surprised how little understanding of Michael's music he has.

John McClain is a Business Executive that is why he is an executor for the Estate. I suspect he's good for the business but bad for the creative... or maybe he's just gettin old?

Ben S, on 09 December 2010 - 12:45 PM, said:

I love (I Can't Take It) Another Day, but when Michael's sings at the end "It's just too much for me, It's just too much for me" I can't work out if this was a new vocal from the recording of this song, or taken from a background vocal from the song "2 Bad" from the HIStory album.

I would put all my money on 2Bad!!! Seriously everything.

Friend of mine got the booklet and is disappointed cause it does not give the dates for the songs and it generally not very generous with information. Well, whatever it is, the album, the way the songs have been produced, it's as good as it gets nowadays. At least there are decent songs up there, no scraps and seriously unfinished stuff.

[asmj]

Thank you

[Ben S]

m&ms, on 09 December 2010 - 03:24 PM, said:

John McClain is a Business Executive that is why he is an executor for the Estate. I suspect he's good for the business but bad for the creative... or maybe he's just gettin old?




I would put all my money on 2Bad!!! Seriously everything.

Friend of mine got the booklet and is disappointed cause it does not give the dates for the songs and it generally not very generous with information. Well, whatever it is, the album, the way the songs have been produced, it's as good as it gets nowadays. At least there are decent songs up there, no scraps and seriously unfinished stuff.

Thanks for the info.

I've known of the name John McClain for about 21yrs, first in connection with Janet Jackson. I'm aware that he is a music executive and co executor of Michael's estate, and that in recent years post Invincible he delegated with music companies and executive for Michael. But apart from that I don't know exactly what who he is, as in how he became very trusted by Michael like John Branca. He music be a great executive other wise Michael wouldn't have named him along with John Branca as co executor. But anyone with common sense would know not to tamper with Michael's music.

I am worried what other album releases of Michael unreleased songs from previous albums will be like. I hope not more badly designed album covers and tampering with the music. Off The Wall is due for a re-release, and I hope Sony and Michael's estate don't mess this up as well. Because they have messed up the "Michael Jackson's: Vision" DVD with the bad quality picture resolution, and now the "Michael" album which is over produced and has a tampered with remix of Behind The Mask. I can no longer listen to Behind The Mask in full. I skip the being sax intro, skip the sax in the middle, and skip Shanice's vocals. I just can listen to them. The sooner a some fan does a remix with the Greg Phillinganes version, or Michael's 1982 original is leaked online the better.

I've just been listening to "Best Of Joy", it's a beautiful song. I love it !

This post has been edited by Ben S: 10 December 2010 - 12:16 AM

[Adri]

I Love the album and with or without Leaked I'm buying !!!!!!!

[MJSunshine]

visage, on 08 December 2010 - 11:35 PM, said:

When he made inquiries about some songs like "Breaking News" he was told the takes were deleted, the hard drive was destroyed & the computer was broken.

That's so ridiculous! I can't believe they are seriously claiming such things.

m&ms, on 09 December 2010 - 08:41 AM, said:

Sunshine, is Bruce Swedien listed in the booklet at all having worked with the album? If not then that's a big mistake given that he would be the closest to knowing what Michael liked when it came to studio work. When he is listed, then that is the best they could do...

Well... how does one replace a genius!

No, he isn't. He's just mentioned in the general thank you's. And I share your friend's opinion that it is very strange that no recording dates for the songs are included. They should have added that, especially as this is a posthumous album. Another thing that disturbes me is that there are quotes from unnamed people to some of the songs explaining what Michael wanted to express with the song. Except for Hold My Hand where I can figure out it must be Akon who is quoted, it's a pity they don't explain who is quoted.