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Michael (Michael Jackson album)

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Untitled

Michael is an upcoming posthumous compilation/studio album of unreleased tracks by American recording artist Michael Jackson.[1][2][3][4][5] Set to be released by Epic Records on December 14, 2010 in the United States,[6] Michael features the song "Breaking News", which was originally recorded in 2007 in New Jersey and completed after the singer's death in 2009. The album features guest performances by Akon, 50 Cent, and Lenny Kravitz.

The album's first single, "Hold My Hand," was released on November 15, 2010.[7][8] The filming for the official video of Hold My Hand began on Saturday, November 20 in Tustin, California. There was a casting call posted up on Jackson's official website, saying that they were "looking for his fans of all ages who want to be a part of this iconic event."[9]

Background

In accordance to the official announcement on November 12, 2010, it features 10 tracks.[6]

The first released song, "Breaking News," was recorded in New Jersey in 2007 and "recently brought to completion."[6][8] Other tracks were recorded at studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with various unidentified collaborators. In the years prior to his death, Jackson was reported to be working with contemporary hitmakers like singer-songwriter Akon and producer RedOne.[10]

The first official single, "Hold My Hand," is a duet with Akon recorded in Las Vegas in 2007.[11] Co-writer Claude Kelly told HitQuarters that it was the song's theme of friendship and togetherness that had struck a chord with Jackson.[11] A handwritten note from Michael belonging to his Estate indicated his desire that "Hold My Hand" be the first single on his next project. However, in its unfinished state, the song leaked out in July 2008. Before the release, Akon stated that the final version would have more of Jackson's vocals. The song was released globally on Monday, November 15 at 12:01am EST.[7][12]

Album cover

The album cover artwork, a 2009 commissioned oil painting by African American artist Kadir Nelson, features two cherubs placing a crown on Jackson's head against a mural depicting the images of the singer at different stages in his career.[8] Nelson said that Jackson approached him several years ago to create a project detailing his life and career. The project stalled, but was revived in 2009 by one of the estate's executors, John McClain.[10]

"Michael wears a golden suit of armor and stares at the viewer as he is crowned by cupids," Nelson said. "He places his hand over his heart and looks directly at the viewer, a symbol of Jackson's big heart and strong connection to his fans and music. A monarch butterfly sits on his shoulder, another symbol of Jackson's metamorphosis as a singer and entertainer, as well as a symbol of royalty. His musical history unfolds behind him."[10][13]

The original Sony publicity release of the album cover featured the Prince symbol in a bubble next to the tiger's head. This sparked discussion on the internet as to whether Prince was involved on any of the new songs. The official response from Prince's camp was "No permission was granted"[14] and the symbol has since been removed from the cover on all official Sony websites.

Promotion

"Breaking News" was the first song from the album to be unveiled. On November 5, a video teaser for the song was released on Jackson's official website. It opens with a montage of various television journalists reporting breaking news about Jackson, followed by the musical introduction of a song.[15] The video refers to the tabloid stories and legal troubles that plagued Jackson in the years leading up to his death.[16] On November 8, 2010, the full length version of the song was released,[17] and made available on MichaelJackson.com for one week.[8]

The album's first single, "Hold My Hand," was released on November 15, 2010.[7][8] The filming for the official video of Hold My Hand began on Saturday, November 20 in Tustin, California. There was a casting call posted up on Jackson's official website, saying that they were "looking for his fans of all ages who want to be a part of this iconic event."[9]

Controversy

The authenticity of "Breaking News" has been questioned.[18] Doubts over whether the vocals were actually by Jackson have been raised, reportedly by Katherine Jackson and Jackson's two eldest children,[19] as well as Jackson's sister La Toya,[20] his nephews T.J., Taj, and Taryll,[21] and many of his fans.[22]

In a statement, Sony Music Group countered that it had "complete confidence in the results of our extensive research, as well as the accounts of those who were in the studio with Michael, that the vocals on the new album are his own."[23] Teddy Riley, Frank Dileo and Jackson's estate have since defended Sony's claims that the song is authentic.[24]

Ahead of the album's release, a lawyer for Jackson's father Joe said Jackson "would never have wanted his unfinished material to be released."[25] Will.i.am, who collaborated with Jackson for the album prior his death,[26] also criticised the release, saying it was "disrespectful" to release the unfinished material because Jackson was not able to give it his blessing.[27]

Reception

Before the album's release, the first promotional song "Breaking News" arose negative reviews from music critics. Ashante Infantry of Toronto Star said Breaking News, the new song from Michael 'threatens to diminish the posthumous goodwill afforded the pop star,' and 'is a self-referential rehash that spotlights all that was wrong with Mike.' If Michael is similarly disappointing, Jackson’s label and executors will find a limit to these “Breaking News” lyrics – “No matter what, you just want to read it again/No matter what, you just want to feel it again.”[28] Taxi Productions-owned Adult R&B panelist KJLH/Los Angeles's program director said, people miss Jackson, but it's hard to compete with his classics and legacy from the song of "Breaking News".[17] Inner City Adult R&B reporter WBLS/New York likewise's program director Skip Dillard mentioned "listeners overall seemed to think that 'Breaking News' sounds 'unfinished' and is not a representation of the level of perfection that Michael sought in his music. Many listeners who responded asked to hear other tracks and said that they'll be interested to hear what else is on the upcoming album."[17]

Darryl Sterdan from QMI Agency said, "The vocals on the verses of the self-referential Breaking News seem artificial, as if they were recorded for a different song and heavily manipulated to readjust their pitch and tempo, then buried under layers of overdubs."[29] In The Christian Science Monitor's report, "New Michael Jackson song prompts more controversy, fans were divided, with many loving the new single and others expressing scepticism."[30] Billboard reported that the controversy surround "Breaking News", meant that "most music merchants thought it would stoke awareness and sales for the new album Michael, and Sony is projecting first-week CD sales of 340,000 and digital album sales of 60,000, which is similar to the soundtrack This Is It".[31]

Track listing

Standard edition[24][32]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Hold My Hand" (featuring Akon)Aliaune Thiam, Giorgio Tuinfort, Claude Kelly [33]3:32
2."Hollywood Tonight"Michael Jackson, Brad Buxer4:30
3."Keep Your Head Up"Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio, James Porte4:50
4."(I Like) The Way You Love Me"Michael Jackson4:33
5."Monster" (featuring 50 Cent)Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio, James Porte, Curtis Jackson5:05
6."Best of Joy"Michael Jackson3:02
7."Breaking News"Michael Jackson4:14
8."(I Can't Make It) Another Day" (featuring Lenny Kravitz)Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz3:55
9."Behind the Mask"Michael Jackson, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Chris Mosdell5:01
10."Much Too Soon"Michael Jackson2:49

Release history

List of release dates, showing country, record label, and format
Region Date Label Format
Australia[34] December 10, 2010 Sony Music Entertainment CD
Germany[35]
United Kingdom[36] December 13, 2010
Taiwan[37] December 14, 2010
United States[38] Epic Records CD, digital download
Japan[39] December 15, 2010 Sony Music Japan CD

See also

References

  1. ^ "Akon refuses to release unfinished Michael Jackson tracks". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-11-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "New Michael Jackson songs are 'fake', says his mother". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-11-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "New Michael Jackson Song 'Breaking News' Hits Web, Controversy Ensues". The Epoch Times. Retrieved 2010-11-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Smart list: Nicki is on her own now". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 2010-11-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "New Michael Jackson Album Pits Sony Music Against Jackson Clan". ABC News. Retrieved 2010-11-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b c "Michael Jackson's New Album Out Dec. 14". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  7. ^ a b c ""Michael" Single Announcement and Tracklisting". MichaelJackson.com. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Much Anticipated New Album from the King of Pop Michael to be Released December 14". Sony Music. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  9. ^ a b "Hold My Hand casting call". MJ. 2010.
  10. ^ a b c "New Michael Jackson album gets December release". Reuters. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  11. ^ a b "Interview with Claude Kelly". HitQuarters. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 24 Nov 2010.
  12. ^ Jillian Mapes. "Michael Jackson's 'Hold My Hand' Single, 'Michael' Album Tracklist Announced". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  13. ^ "Michael Jackson's New Album Cover Decoded". Gil Kaufman, MTV. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  14. ^ "New Michael Jackson album gets December release". Reuters. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  15. ^ Wilkening, Matthew (5 November 2010). "Michael Jackson, 'Michael' -- 2010 New Album Preview". AOL Radio Blog. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  16. ^ Vick, Megan (2010-11-05). "Michael Jackson 'Breaking News' Teaser Video Premieres". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
  17. ^ a b c "New Michael Jackson Song 'Breaking' At Radio". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  18. ^ "New Song: Michael Jackson, 'Breaking News'". MTV. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  19. ^ "Michael Jackson News - Yahoo! Music". New.music.yahoo.com. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  20. ^ "La Toya Jackson: That's Not Michael's Voice on 'Breaking News'". TMZ.com. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  21. ^ "Controversial Michael Jackson single debuts". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  22. ^ "Fans, Family Say Michael Jackson Isn't Singing On Controversial New Single "Breaking News"". All Headline News. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  23. ^ "Michael Jackson 'Breaking News' Song Debuts Online, Stirs Controversy". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  24. ^ a b "'Breaking News': Lawyer Says It's Michael Jackson's Voice". Arts Beat. NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  25. ^ Serjeant, Jill. "Michael Jackson new album vocals genuine, Sony says". Reuters. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  26. ^ Michael Jackson and Will.i.am Collaborating blackeyedpeas.com. Retrieved on 7 November.
  27. ^ "BBC News - 'New' Michael Jackson album set for release". Bbc.co.uk. 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  28. ^ Ashante Infantry. "Review: Michael Jackson's new single is bad news". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  29. ^ Darryl Sterdan. "Review: New MJ tunes bad news". Quebecor Media. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  30. ^ "New Michael Jackson song prompts more controversy". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  31. ^ "Michael Jackson's 'Michael' Could Sell 400,000 in First Week". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-11-13. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |authour= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "Michael - Michael Jackson (track-list)". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  33. ^ "Michael Jackson Cameo Shocks Akon Songwriter". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  34. ^ "Much Anticipated New Album From The King Of Pop Michael To Be Released In Australia On Friday December 10". Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  35. ^ "Das Album "Michael" erscheint am 10.12. // Welturaufführung eines Trailers und Songs". {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "http://www.michaeljackson.com/de/news/das-album-michael-erscheint-am-1012-welturauff%C3%BChrung-eines-trailers-und-songs" ignored (help)
  36. ^ "MUCH ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM FROM THE KING OF POP MICHAEL TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 13". Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  37. ^ "流行樂之王麥可傑克森世紀矚目最新專輯《麥可》12月14日全球震撼發行". Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  38. ^ "Pre-order from the official website". Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  39. ^ "ニュー・アルバム『ＭＩＣＨＡＥＬ』、12月15日発売決定". Retrieved 2010-11-05.
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