Michael Jackson's XSCAPE Set For Global Launch

NEW YORK, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The launch of Michael Jackson's highly anticipated May 13^th album, XSCAPE, curated and produced by Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid, is off to a thrilling start with last week's world premiere of "Love Never Felt So Good." The song rocketed into the Top 5 at iTunes in the U.S, peaking at #1 in 17 countries and landing in the Top 5 position in 67 countries around the world, within 24 hours of release.  "Love Never Felt So Good" marks Jackson's 49^th Hot 100 entry and makes multiple debuts on at various radio formats charts. The standard and deluxe versions of the album are available for pre-order at all digital retailers http://smarturl.it/lnfsg, http://smarturl.it/lnfsg-amazon and streaming at https://music.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/.

The track, which was released in two versions, Michael's original vocals contemporized by John McClain and a duet with Justin Timberlake. The song premiered on the iHeart Radio Music Awards on NBC, was featured on CBS Sunday Morning, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show is giving it her signature dance moves and debuting four more songs this week.  The album will be featured on the Today Show, numerous entertainment outlets, in a campaign in conjunction with MTV and Twitter, and is on the cover of this week's Billboard magazine.

It's truly fitting that after a long history together and in anticipation of Michael Jackson's upcoming album, MTV will exclusively release two never before heard tracks. On May 8 at 10:00 am ET, fans can go to michaeljackson.mtv.com to listen to "Blue Gangsta," as well as view archival footage from interviews and iconic MTV performances including Bad, Black or White and more. Additionally, on May 9 at 10:00 am ET, the title track "Xscape" will also be available on michaeljackson.mtv.com. 

XSCAPE features 8 songs (see track listing below), which the world will be hearing for the very first time originally recorded between 1983 and 1999. The album showcases why Michael Jackson remains an indelible influence on contemporary artists today. XSCAPE is a long awaited collection of exciting new music that will thrill the legions of fans of one of the world's most revered and best-selling artists, as well as attract a whole new generation discovering his artistry for the first time. For the ultimate fan experience, XSCAPE will also be available in a Deluxe Edition, which includes all of the sourced Michael Jackson recordings as they existed in his archives as well as a DVD documentary featuring the producers discussing the making of XSCAPE.  The duet version of "Love Never Felt So Good", co-produced by Justin Timberlake, is also available on the Deluxe Edition.

Epic / Sony Music's XSCAPE album campaign is backed by a first-ever 'One Sony' global collaboration, with exclusive offers from Sony Group companies leveraging their respective strengths in delivering unique entertainment experiences to a wider audience, to celebrate Michael's latest album launch. The special 'One Sony' offers include exclusive early access to five tracks from XSCAPE prior to the album launch, on the Music Unlimited streaming service, and free album download with purchase of selected new Xperia™ smartphone/tablet models (bonus track included) and audio products. (Please note that the launch schedule and availability of each service/offer may vary depending on the country/region).

Keep visiting www.michaeljackson.com for new details about the upcoming album.

XSCAPE
L.A. Reid, Album Producer/Curator
Timbaland, Executive Producer
John Branca and John McClain, Executive Producers for the Estate of Michael Jackson

STANDARD
1. LOVE NEVER FELT SO GOOD
Written by Michael Jackson and Paul Anka
Produced by Michael Jackson, John McClain, Giorgio Tuinfort and Paul Anka

2. CHICAGO
Written by Cory Rooney
Vocals Produced by Michael Jackson and Cory Rooney
Produced by Timbaland and Jerome Harmon

3. LOVING YOU
Written by Michael Jackson
Vocals Produced by Michael Jackson
Produced by Timbaland and Jerome Harmon

4. A PLACE WITH NO NAME
Written by Dewey Bunell, Michael Jackson and Dr. Freeze
Vocals Produced by Michael Jackson and Dr. Freeze
Produced by Stargate

5. SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM
Written by L.A. Reid and Babyface
Produced by LA Reid and Babyface
Produced by Timbaland and Jerome Harmon

6. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE
Written by Michael Jackson
Vocals Produced by Michael Jackson
Produced by Timbaland and Jerome Harmon

7. BLUE GANGSTA
Written by Michael Jackson and Dr. Freeze
Vocals Produced by Michael Jackson and Dr. Freeze
Produced by Timbaland, Jerome Harmon, King Logan and Daniel Jones

8. XSCAPE
Written by Michael Jackson and Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels and Fred Jerkins III
Vocals Produced by Michael Jackson and Rodney Jerkins
Produced by Rodney Jerkins

DELUXE
1. Love Never Felt So Good
2. Chicago
3. Loving You
4. A Place With No Name
5. Slave To The Rhythm
6. Do You Know Where Your Children Are
7. Blue Gangsta
8. Xscape
9. Love Never Felt So Good (Original Version)
10. Chicago (Original Version)
11. Loving You (Original Version)
12. A Place With No Name (Original Version)
13. Slave To The Rhythm (Original Version)
14. Do You Know Where Your Children Are (Original Version)
15. Blue Gangsta (Original Version)
16. Xscape (Original Version)
17. Love Never Felt So Good - Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake
Written by Michael Jackson and Paul Anka
Produced by Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Jerome "JRoc" Harmon

ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON:
Michael Jackson is one of the most beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time.  He was also a dedicated philanthropist and an astute business professional.   To date Jackson has sold 1 billion records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 17 Grammy Awards including 8 in one year, a record in itself, and received 26 American Music Awards, including the Artist of the Century Award.   Jackson defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking short films as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the classic "Thriller," which in 2009 became the first and only music video inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. In his short films "Black or White", "They Don't Care About Us", "Bad and "Smooth Criminal" and others, Jackson set an aesthetic standard for video production that remains unsurpassed even today. The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil have produced two top shows:  Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour is the #9 top grossing tour of all time; and MICHAEL JACKSON ONE, a new permanent show at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, which is breaking box office records and receiving critical raves.  Jackson's sound, style and dance moves continue to inspire today's performers and new generations of fans worldwide continue to discover his artistry.   

SOURCE Epic Records