BabyBeMine said:

When the footage of MJ singing in the cascio studio is released will you admit you were all wrong?

There's footage and it will prove MJ sang those cascio tracks. Look out for next single and video....

Why don't they just show the footage now - it would kill the division and controversy and have people judge the music not the spectacle.

smoothcriminal12 said:

errant said:

I have a good belly laugh every time some fanbot says that he's not singing some of these songs.

Why?

it seems rather desperate to me. desperate for what, I don't know. I'm not sure exactly what they think they're accomplishing, but historically, there is always some segment of MJ's fanbase willing to grab any convoluted conspiracy theory with both hands and run with it.

where's the proof?

I actually find this thing real hilarious. Sure it's a mess because Michael's not here to solve all of this but all this back and forth ain't helping. Like I said I'll be glad when we'll get past December 14, which is today, only three and a half hours left eastern standard time.

[Edited 12/14/10 17:44pm]

Timmy84 said:

I actually find this thing real hilarious. Sure it's a mess because Michael's not here to solve all of this but all this back and forth ain't helping. Like I said I'll be glad when we'll get past December 14, which is today, only three and a half hours left eastern standard time.

[Edited 12/14/10 17:44pm]

since when does the dove-releasing crowd let go of anything?

(except doves of course )

[Edited 12/14/10 17:47pm]

errant said:

Timmy84 said:

I actually find this thing real hilarious. Sure it's a mess because Michael's not here to solve all of this but all this back and forth ain't helping. Like I said I'll be glad when we'll get past December 14, which is today, only three and a half hours left eastern standard time.

[Edited 12/14/10 17:44pm]

since when does the dove-releasing crowd let go of anything?

(except doves of course )

[Edited 12/14/10 17:47pm]

Brother don't remind me of that crazy motherfucker.

errant said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

Why?

it seems rather desperate to me. desperate for what, I don't know. I'm not sure exactly what they think they're accomplishing, but historically, there is always some segment of MJ's fanbase willing to grab any convoluted conspiracy theory with both hands and run with it.

where's the proof?

Militant said:

The Estate sent me a copyright takedown notice and Tumblr removed my "Behind The Mask" OG Vibe clip!!!! Bastards. It's still on my SoundCloud though

You and I both! I got the same thing on my youtube account when I posted the vid for "Behind The Mask".

Shame....

Well, music and love in our hearts...that's all we guilty of... Screw'em

[Edited 12/14/10 19:16pm]

Timmy84 said:

I actually find this thing real hilarious. Sure it's a mess because Michael's not here to solve all of this but all this back and forth ain't helping. Like I said I'll be glad when we'll get past December 14, which is today, only three and a half hours left eastern standard time.

[Edited 12/14/10 17:44pm]

I been past it , for some reason I don’t think we will be hearing a lot about Michael’s album after this month. It hasn't been as much hype .

Is there a large pic of the photo in the cover?

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Is there a large pic of the photo in the cover?

The Michael album cover? I don’t know it’s in the booklet though. I didn’t know Marvin Gaye and some others were on the side.

babybugz said:

Timmy84 said:

I actually find this thing real hilarious. Sure it's a mess because Michael's not here to solve all of this but all this back and forth ain't helping. Like I said I'll be glad when we'll get past December 14, which is today, only three and a half hours left eastern standard time.

[Edited 12/14/10 17:44pm]

I been past it , for some reason I don’t think we will be hearing a lot about Michael’s album after this month. It hasn't been as much hype .

I agree.

babybugz said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Is there a large pic of the photo in the cover?

The Michael album cover? I don’t know it’s in the booklet though. I didn’t know Marvin Gaye and some others were on the side.

Yeah, I wanna see it blown up so I can see the other artist. I see Marvin, JB, Eddie Levert (can't spot the other O'Jays lol) Diana Ross, Sammy Davis Jr, ect.

Joshy said:

ok,so i downloaded the album,& after getting thru the 1st half of "Hollywood Tonight",(apologies if this has been brought up already) & i came 2 the conclusion that THAT AINT MJ!

However i LOVE "Monster".BadAss track! yet 2 hear the rest.just skimming thru as after the discussions earlier about whether some of the tracks really are MJ or not,my anticipation for this release wained & that is really sad because i Love Michael & have been waiting 8 years for some unheard MJ.

Well Hollywood Tonight is Michael and Monster is allegedly not him .

LittleBLUECorvette said:

babybugz said:

The Michael album cover? I don’t know it’s in the booklet though. I didn’t know Marvin Gaye and some others were on the side.

Yeah, I wanna see it blown up so I can see the other artist. I see Marvin, JB, Eddie Levert (can't spot the other O'Jays lol) Diana Ross, Sammy Davis Jr, ect.

I’m sure there is a bigger version probably have to Google or check a MJ forum. Somebody will post it here eventually.

errant said:

it seems rather desperate to me. desperate for what, I don't know. I'm not sure exactly what they think they're accomplishing, but historically, there is always some segment of MJ's fanbase willing to grab any convoluted conspiracy theory with both hands and run with it.

where's the proof?

And then there is a some segment of MJ's fanbase that always feels some need to separate themselves from what they deem as these so called 'crazies' so they will attack them in a feeble attempt to make themselves feel better about being apart of the same fandom.

[Edited 12/14/10 21:19pm]

[Edited 12/14/10 21:20pm]

babybugz said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Yeah, I wanna see it blown up so I can see the other artist. I see Marvin, JB, Eddie Levert (can't spot the other O'Jays lol) Diana Ross, Sammy Davis Jr, ect.

I’m sure there is a bigger version probably have to Google or check a MJ forum. Somebody will post it here eventually.

I'm actually surprised it ain't been posted here yet but to compare that mural to Marvin's, I'd prefer Marvin's.

Unholyalliance said:

errant said:

it seems rather desperate to me. desperate for what, I don't know. I'm not sure exactly what they think they're accomplishing, but historically, there is always some segment of MJ's fanbase willing to grab any convoluted conspiracy theory with both hands and run with it.

where's the proof?

And then there is a some segment of MJ's fanbase that always feels some need to separate themselves from what they deem as these so called 'crazies' so they will attack them in a feeble attempt to make themselves feel better about being apart of the same fandom.

[Edited 12/14/10 21:19pm]

[Edited 12/14/10 21:20pm]

You really aren't going to use sanity and logic as a knock against me, are you?

Timmy84 said:

babybugz said:

I’m sure there is a bigger version probably have to Google or check a MJ forum. Somebody will post it here eventually.

I'm actually surprised it ain't been posted here yet but to compare that mural to Marvin's, I'd prefer Marvin's.

I think I will take anything over MJ's mural. While rendered quite beautifully, the composition of that painting really bothers me to no end. It's so unbalanced. It was hanging up huge at the release party in NYC last night. I had to stop looking at it, because it was going to make me fly into a blind rage.

Imo, the one for the Dangerous album cover is FAR superior. The artist displays a real understanding of balance and composition as well as color. Plus, I think it tells a much more cohesive story than just sticking random MJ shit all over the place.

[Edited 12/14/10 21:26pm]

Timmy84 said:

babybugz said:

I’m sure there is a bigger version probably have to Google or check a MJ forum. Somebody will post it here eventually.

I'm actually surprised it ain't been posted here yet but to compare that mural to Marvin's, I'd prefer Marvin's.

The cover is not bad but it could have been better. The whole project itself could have been better (the music , promotion, etc..)

babybugz said:

The cover is not bad but it could have been better. The whole project itself could have been better (the music , promotion, etc..)

Understatement of the year. lol

From the way things went with this whole thing I have been wondering if Sony was trying to sabotage any future MJ releases. I mean...why would you start promotion almost 2 weeks before album release? Also, why not take out the controversial tracks? Now people are questioning what tracks are his, even the ones that are him. It's a mess. I don't know who is/are in charge, but they need to keep that person(s) on an entirely different project all together.

Unholyalliance said:

Timmy84 said:

I'm actually surprised it ain't been posted here yet but to compare that mural to Marvin's, I'd prefer Marvin's.

I think I will take anything over MJ's mural. While rendered quite beautifully, the composition of that painting really bothers me to no end. It's so unbalanced. It was hanging up huge at the release party in NYC last night. I had to stop looking at it, because it was going to make me fly into a blind rage.

Imo, the one for the Dangerous album cover is FAR superior. The artist displays a real understanding of balance and composition as well as color. Plus, I think it tells a much more cohesive story than just sticking random MJ shit all over the place.

[Edited 12/14/10 21:26pm]

Keep in mind that was Michael’s project he was here to oversee it he’s not now so that’s why it’s crap lol.

If you doubt the authenticity of Michael's vocals, you must be prepared to refute the claims made by this man.

------------------------------------------------

Dear Fans,

As the Michael album was being put together, it was decided to bring Teddy Riley on board to work on several songs, including “Breaking News,” a song Michael recorded with Eddie Cascio and James Porte in late 2007 while living at the Cascio family home with his children. Riley produced and submitted “Breaking News” to Sony for inclusion on the album. At that time, no one ever mentioned that the vocals we heard on the Cascio songs, which were basically in demo format, might not be Michael. It was known, however, that the background vocals were a combination of Michael and James Porte.

After the tracks were submitted to Sony, three of these Cascio songs were selected to be on the album, and “Breaking News” was one of the three. The day after the submission and selection of the album tracks, for the very first time, the authenticity of Michael’s vocals on the Cascio tracks was questioned.

Because of these questions, I was immediately asked by co-Executors John Branca and John McClain to conduct an investigation regarding the authenticity of the lead vocals on the Cascio tracks.

Six of Michael’s former producers and engineers who had worked with Michael over the past 30 years – Bruce Swedien, Matt Forger, Stewart Brawley, Michael Prince, Dr. Freeze and Teddy Riley – were all invited to a listening session to hear the raw vocals of the Cascio tracks in question. All of these persons listened to the a cappella versions of the vocals on the Cascio tracks being considered for inclusion on the album, so they could give an opinion as to whether or not the lead vocals were sung by Michael. They all confirmed that the vocal was definitely Michael.

Michael’s musical director and piano player on many of his records over a 20-year period, Greg Phillinganes, played on a Cascio track being produced for the album, and said the voice was definitely Michael’s. Dorian Holley, who was Michael’s vocal director for his solo tours for 20 plus years (including the O2 Concert Tour) and is seen in the This Is It film, listened to the Cascio tracks and told me the lead vocal was Michael Jackson.

These are all engineers, producers and musicians who worked on tours and/or in the studio with Michael when he was recording Bad, Thriller, Off The Wall, Dangerous, Invincible, HIStory and Blood On The Dance Floor, and they all reconfirmed their belief that the lead vocals were Michael’s voice on the Cascio tracks.

The Estate then retained one of the best-known forensic musicologists in the nation to listen to the vocals without any instrumental accompaniment (“a cappella”), and to compare them with a cappella vocals from previous Michael songs. This expert performed waveform analysis, an objective scientific test used to determine audio authenticity, on the Cascio tracks, as well as previously released tracks with Michael’s voice, and reported that ALL of the lead vocals analyzed (which included Cascio tracks) were the voice of Michael Jackson.

Sony Music conducted their own investigation by hiring yet a second well-respected forensic musicologist who also compared the a cappella lead vocals from Cascio tracks against previously released vocals of Michael’s, and found that Michael’s voice was the on all sets of the raw vocals. The Cascio tracks were also played for two very prominent persons in the music industry who played crucial roles in Michael’s career. Both of these individuals believed that the lead vocals were Michael’s.

Just to be absolutely certain, I also contacted Jason Malachi, a young singer who some persons had wrongfully alleged was a “soundalike” singer that was hired to sing on the Cascio tracks, and I confirmed that he had no involvement with this project whatsoever.

Sony decided that, given the overwhelming objective evidence resulting from the exhaustive investigations outlined above, they wanted to release a record that included three of the Cascio-Porte tracks – because they believed, without reservation, that the lead vocal on all of those tracks were sung by Michael Jackson.

Although there still seem to be concerns being expressed in some quarters about the authenticity of the lead vocals, notwithstanding the opinion of those who worked with Michael, and two independent forensic analysts, ultimately, Michael’s fans will be the judges of these songs, as they always are. We take all fan comments very seriously, and as I’d stated above, there is nothing more important to the Estate than Michael’s music, his legacy and his fans.

Michael’s fans are extraordinary in their quest for accuracy and their passions to raise their voices in a search for truth! We join with them in our care and concern for Michael. We are continuing to follow up with those who have worked in the studio or on tours with Michael, and if any new information comes to light, we will keep you and the fans advised.

Thanks,

Howard Weitzman, Esq.
Attorney for the Estate Of Michael Jackson
Santa Monica, CA

babybugz said:

Keep in mind that was Michael’s project he was here to oversee it he’s not now so that’s why it’s crap lol.

You are right, it's not Michael's fault, but it's not Sony's either. It's really the artist who is the blame here. While I do believe that Michael had really great taste for art, those suits at Sony don't. They just like whatever looks pretty. I expect that out of clients, not the artist. As an artist, he should know that and he should know better.

Just to feel better I will post this fabulous piece of art for all to see again:

[img:$uid]http://i53.tinypic.com/1zf0kex.jpg[/img:$uid]

Look at that balance in the composition. The symbolism and how everything interacts with each other. There is gold and yellow incorporated everywhere instead of just being in that huge ass centerpiece. The exquisite detail in the figures and in that Metropolis like world that is contained inside of that golden gate. Also, the composition fits the album cover so nicely. No gold statue cropped out oddly so all you have is this stupid gold shoulder sticking out and looking completely of place, because of poor planning from the artist in terms of cd cover proportions & measurements. Look at how mysterious, yet inviting MJ's eyes are. They suck you in as they read into your soul. The bright, warm blue on the outside and the cold and dark blue on the inside of that other world. They tell you to look at me, all that is deceivingly beautiful & strange on the outside, but yet come into the dark, cold, and lonely world that awaits you inside.

Ahhh....I feel better now.

[Edited 12/14/10 21:56pm]

ShadeoViolet said:

If you doubt the authenticity of Michael's vocals, you must be prepared to refute the claims made by this man.

Howard Weitzman, Esq.

Attorney for the Estate Of Michael Jackson

The man is an attorney of the estate. The SAME estate who gave permission to Sony, of all people, to release those tracks.

He does not get paid to refute the claims of the executors of the estate. If he did, he would be fired.

Unholyalliance said:

ShadeoViolet said:

If you doubt the authenticity of Michael's vocals, you must be prepared to refute the claims made by this man.

Howard Weitzman, Esq.

Attorney for the Estate Of Michael Jackson

The man is an attorney of the estate. The SAME estate who gave permission to Sony, of all people, to release those tracks.

He does not get paid to refute the claims of the executors of the estate. If he did, he would be fired.

Here are a couple of questions, if you don't believe the people named in the letter who worked closely with Michael throughout the years or 2 independent forensics teams, or the people that were actually in the studio recording the songs with Michael:

First, what would Sony or the estate have to gain by putting songs on there sung by another vocalist? If it were found out, they'd have a lot of egg on their face. Hair-pulling hysterics by a segment of the fanbase and a family of malcontents with an axe to grind have not come up with any evidence that the vocals aren't Michael's.

Second, considering the three songs in question are not really that great, and that we've all heard many, many more that ARE great, why would they go with these tracks with an alleged sound-alike, when they have a wealth of material to draw from?

Another point: Despite Quincy Jones, will.I.am, and some of the family stating that they do not approve of releases like this, Michael was, by all accounts (personal finances aside), a very savvy businessman. You know as well as I do that Michael didn't step foot into a studio with any songwriter, producer, or musician without already having a stack of contracts and releases signed by the participating parties that HE would be the sole owner of any material produced from any session. Anything he owned in that regard now belongs to the Estate. And even though Quincy, will.I.am, or whoever else may possess the physical (or digital) recordings of any session work, it is, by law, the property of the Estate of Michael Jackson. These people can be (and will be, at some point) compelled by law to hand that stuff over. Sony and the Estate may not be willing to make that move, for now, but they will eventually.

Anyway, back to the point: Why would Sony include "fake" songs on the very first posthumous release when we know, for a fact, that they have a great deal of material of much higher quality readily and legally available to them? Can you answer these questions?

[Edited 12/14/10 22:37pm]

[Edited 12/14/10 22:43pm]

Unholyalliance said:

babybugz said:

Keep in mind that was Michael’s project he was here to oversee it he’s not now so that’s why it’s crap lol.

You are right, it's not Michael's fault, but it's not Sony's either. It's really the artist who is the blame here. While I do believe that Michael had really great taste for art, those suits at Sony don't. They just like whatever looks pretty. I expect that out of clients, not the artist. As an artist, he should know that and he should know better.

[Edited 12/14/10 21:56pm]

We all saw that shopping spree in the mall in Las Vegas where he was buying up all that tacky "art."

The fact that he even posed for the photo that that lead image of him on the cover is based on is evidence enough that he did not have a great taste for art.

Much as I love a lot of the art he produced himself, his own tastes for art were gaudy as hell, and this cover would have been right up his alley.

For what it is worth....

A couple of Michael Jackson collaborators involved with the posthumous "Michael" album say there's more where these tracks came from -- and they hope to see them released in the future, too.

"My sense is they have lots more songs to actually share with the world, and I hope to be part of it," Teddy Riley, who's worked with Jackson since 1991's "Dangerous," tells Billboard.com. Riley was called in to finish three of the songs on "Michael": "Hollywood Tonight," for which he wrote a spoken bridge section; "Monster," which features 50 Cent; and "Breaking News."

Riley says he already has some additional tracks "in my computer, waiting for (the Jackson estate) to push the button." Among those is the recently leaked "Blue Gangsta," which Riley describes as "the next level of the next chapter of 'Smooth Criminal.' "

Similarly, Akon -- who teamed with Jackson on "Michael's" first single, "Hold My Hand" -- is hoping he'll have a chance to bring forth more of the music he and Jackson worked on in 2008.

"There were a lot of songs we actually got to start up," the Senagalese-American artist reports, "but the problem is we never really got a chance to finish them because we kind of created the same way. He would start songs and then go on to the next song before one song was finished, then double back and complete the songs later. We just wanted to get as many ideas done as possible. So we got ideas, but none of them were really in a position to where we could finish them and put them out."

Their fate, Akon adds, is in the hands of the Jackson estate and executors John McClain, who helmed two tracks on "Michael," and attorney John Branca. "It all depends on the situation," Akon says. "I think whatever he left behind, there's ways we can make them sound really presentable to people and give them something to hold onto. I would love to be a part of it."

Neither the estate nor Sony Music have committed to further posthumous releases from the Jackson vaults, noting in a statement accompanying "Michael" that "while it is too early to announce specific future projects, it is safe to say that given how much Michael valued his fans, the selection and release of those works will be done in a way that properly honors his legacy."

Both Riley and Akon feel "Michael" lives up to that standard, too.

"Who wouldn't want to continue such a great entertainer and such a great legacy?" explains Riley, who kept photos of Jackson in the studio to keep him "focused" on his late friend. "Why not continue someone's legacy and take it to the next level? Michael was a never-ending book." Akon, meanwhile, adds that he was "shocked and surprised" by the "Michael" project because Jackson "wouldn't want any of his songs to be released if they weren't completely done," but believes the finished product will assuage any naysayers.

"The world knows that these songs are not completely finished," he says. "It's more that his intention was to complete and finish these (songs) and put them out to his audience. It's more of a situation where we can just take it and say, OK, this is something he left behind for us to enjoy. Even though it's not completely done, it's a great opportunity to hold on to something that could have been amazing."

Jackson songs needed 'Digital Enhancement'.

According to famed producer Teddy Riley, one of the main producers on the posthumous Michael Jackson album, "Michael," which drops today (Dec. 14), the late King of Pop's vocal tracks required considerable digital enhancement.

"I had to do more processing to the voice, which is why people were asking about the authenticity of his voice," Riley, who worked with Jackson on his 1991 album "Dangerous," told Reuters Monday. "We had to do what we had to do to make ... his voice work with the actual music."'

Riley reveals that producers used Melodyne technology to get the raw vocals in key.

"With the Melodyne we actually move the (pitch) up which is the reason why some of the vibrato sounds a little off or processed, over-processed," Riley added. "We truly apologize for that happening, but you are still hearing the true Michael Jackson."

"...I know it's great material, I know that it needs to be out, I know that the legacy needs to continue because he's such a great person, and there's more to come," continued Riley, who worked on three of the 10 songs on the album -- "Hollywood Tonight," "Monster" and "Breaking News" -- and who said that he would like to partake in producing future Jackson albums if they should come to fruition.

Swa said:

For what it is worth....

A couple of Michael Jackson collaborators involved with the posthumous "Michael" album say there's more where these tracks came from -- and they hope to see them released in the future, too.

"My sense is they have lots more songs to actually share with the world, and I hope to be part of it," Teddy Riley, who's worked with Jackson since 1991's "Dangerous," tells Billboard.com. Riley was called in to finish three of the songs on "Michael": "Hollywood Tonight," for which he wrote a spoken bridge section; "Monster," which features 50 Cent; and "Breaking News."

Riley says he already has some additional tracks "in my computer, waiting for (the Jackson estate) to push the button." Among those is the recently leaked "Blue Gangsta," which Riley describes as "the next level of the next chapter of 'Smooth Criminal.' "

Similarly, Akon -- who teamed with Jackson on "Michael's" first single, "Hold My Hand" -- is hoping he'll have a chance to bring forth more of the music he and Jackson worked on in 2008.

"There were a lot of songs we actually got to start up," the Senagalese-American artist reports, "but the problem is we never really got a chance to finish them because we kind of created the same way. He would start songs and then go on to the next song before one song was finished, then double back and complete the songs later. We just wanted to get as many ideas done as possible. So we got ideas, but none of them were really in a position to where we could finish them and put them out."

Their fate, Akon adds, is in the hands of the Jackson estate and executors John McClain, who helmed two tracks on "Michael," and attorney John Branca. "It all depends on the situation," Akon says. "I think whatever he left behind, there's ways we can make them sound really presentable to people and give them something to hold onto. I would love to be a part of it."

Neither the estate nor Sony Music have committed to further posthumous releases from the Jackson vaults, noting in a statement accompanying "Michael" that "while it is too early to announce specific future projects, it is safe to say that given how much Michael valued his fans, the selection and release of those works will be done in a way that properly honors his legacy."

Both Riley and Akon feel "Michael" lives up to that standard, too.

"Who wouldn't want to continue such a great entertainer and such a great legacy?" explains Riley, who kept photos of Jackson in the studio to keep him "focused" on his late friend. "Why not continue someone's legacy and take it to the next level? Michael was a never-ending book." Akon, meanwhile, adds that he was "shocked and surprised" by the "Michael" project because Jackson "wouldn't want any of his songs to be released if they weren't completely done," but believes the finished product will assuage any naysayers.

"The world knows that these songs are not completely finished," he says. "It's more that his intention was to complete and finish these (songs) and put them out to his audience. It's more of a situation where we can just take it and say, OK, this is something he left behind for us to enjoy. Even though it's not completely done, it's a great opportunity to hold on to something that could have been amazing."

Frankly, as much as I'd like to hear more unreleased Michael Jackson material, considering Teddy's contributions to the album, I'm hoping the estate forces him to turn what he's got over to someone else. Teddy really embarrassed himself on the 3 tracks he "finished". Three of the biggest clunkers on the whole affair. Or is he just assigned to the angry, "poor me, I'm Michael Jackson" songs from now on? If so, that's fine. Keep his ill-conceived contributions to the most ill-conceived genre in Michael's future catalog.

errant said:

We all saw that shopping spree in the mall in Las Vegas where he was buying up all that tacky "art."

Whether or not you think that the art was 'tacky' or 'gaudy' has no bearing on this artist's lack of compositional skills.