Epic Records in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson have released Michael Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good”, produced by Michael Jackson, John McClain, Girogio Tuinfort and Paul Anka, the first single from XSCAPE (May 12), the album of new music by the internationally beloved music icon and King of Pop.
XSCAPE features 8 songs originally recorded between 1983 and 1999, and showcases why Michael Jackson remains an indelible influence on contemporary artists today.
“Love Never Felt So Good” premiered during the iHeart Radio Music Awards live at 8:00 EDT on NBC. On May 2, the single will be available for purchase at all Digital service providers and streaming at Music Unlimited. A duet version of “Love Never Felt So Good”, with Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake, produced by Timberlake, Timbaland and Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon, will be also available and on the deluxe version of XSCAPE. The standard and deluxe edition are available for pre-order now and at retailers on May 12 in the UK.
“Love Never Felt So Good” was written and originally recorded and produced by Michael Jackson and Paul Anka in 1983, around the time they recorded “This Is It”. Produced by John McClain, co-executor of the Estate of Michael Jackson, the contemporized recording is a magic combination of the new and the original production that retains the track’s analog, early 80s feel, while also sounding right at home with the disco-soul inflected music of today. USA Today wrote, ‘old school snap and tingle with warm leaping strings that recall the melodic and rhythmic punch of Jackson’s work with Quincy Jones.”
Executive produced by Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid, XSCAPE features music which the world will be hearing for the very first time. Reid curated the final list of recordings to deliver to the producers, who retooled the production to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains Jackson’s essence and integrity. It’s a process Reid calls “contemporizing.” The album’s lead producer, Timbaland was one of a handful of producers Reid believed had the gravitas, depth and range to creatively engage with Jackson’s work. Additional producers include global hitmakers Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome “Jroc” Harmon and John McClain.
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.
