Michael JacksonXscapeMore prolific now than anytime since his '80s heyday, a second 'new' Michael Jackson album arrives from beyond the grave. Epic Records boss LA Reid trawled through the leftover song-scraps Jackson thought unfit for public ears and employed super-producer Timbaland to pepper the raw vocal tracks with fresh productions. The results vary – lead single 'Love Never Felt so Good' is instantly catchy Off the Wall-style soul; in 'Blue Gangsta' Jackson vocals are lost in a meticulous assault of urban beats. While the arrangements shine, we can't help wondering if more regard could (should?) have been paid to the artist's original intentions. Surely, if the recordings were good enough in the first place, then they wouldn't need tampering with so. As it is, Reid's drastic 'contemporisation' project feels an unnecessary beast at best, and pure sacrilege at worst.Rob Garratt
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