Xscape (Deluxe Edition) 2014 Album

Michael Jackson

Love Never Felt So Good ★★★ Remix ★★★☆ The original is just Michael with a piano and his own percussion sounds. I think the remix is better. It gives it more funk and the breakdown/bridge improves it too. Chicago ★★★☆ Remix ★★★ The original is better, it feels eerier and suits the lyrics better. I don't like some of the production changes they made. I don't love either version though. Loving You ★★★★ Remix ★★★★ I'd say this has the least difference between the original and remix so far. Both are great. A Place With No Name ★★★★ Remix ★★★☆ The sample is more of a feature in the original, whereas, with the remix, it is mainly noticeable on the chorus. The original wins this. Slave to the Rhythm ★★★★☆ Remix ★★★☆ The original sounds fairly fresh for a Dangerous era song. Like the aforementioned album, it goes hard. I love some of Michael's vocals here and they are the best part of the song. Great energy (See 2:54)! The original wins comfortably. Do You Know Where Your Children Are ★★★★ Remix ★★★ Where the previous songs sounded fresh, this is very '80s. As with the previous remix, it sounds more like a dance song. Again, the original wins. Blue Gangsta ★★★☆ Remix ★★★☆ The remix offers something fairly different and doesn't sound overproduced like the previous remixes almost do. The breakdown at about 2:50 is better in the remix. A close call... Xscape ★★★★ Remix ★★★★ Both are dope. The original sounds more reserved, but still bangs, but the remix amps it up. I'm choosing the remix here. Great at times, but you can understand why most of these didn't see the light of day as the quality is a touch below most of the tracks that made his albums. While 'Slave to the Rhythm' is the best thing here, I still don't think it's knocking any of the upbeat songs off 'Dangerous'. If you have only listened to the version with the remixes, make sure you check out the original versions as they are more often than not the better songs.