Monday, June 2, 2014

Music: Michael Jackson: Xscape

As much as it hurts to admit it, the late, great, music legend is gone & never coming back. I was quite reluctant to listen to a posthumous song, more or less an album. I figured it was something record execs threw together quickly & put out to make a fast buck off of Michael Jackson's name.


I actually heard "Love Never Felt So Good" for the first time at a club this past week. I couldn't help but dance to it after hearing the song through pulsating beats. I figured maybe my Long Island made me like the song, & attributed my affinity to nothing more than that and perhaps the vibe of the club.
(Best Friend & Self-Proclaimed NYC Casanova, "Rieko Love," & Myself)

The next day, I was curious to find out if it was indeed my friend "Mr. Top-shelf Long Island" or the song itself, so with a sober & open mind, I looked up the song on YouTube.

I came to discover not only was the song available but you could also listen to the entire album. This method helps me determine if I am going to purchase the individual song I like, or the entire album.I listened to the song for a second time and fell in love with it all over again. The next song rolled into "Chicago," & I listened to it with a skeptical ear (being a native of Chicago, discouraged at the thought, knowing I wouldn't like it). Wrong again -- song number 2, I loved.  I couldn't help but listen to the entire album. Each song giving me a surreal feeling as if Michael is still here with us!
The album is hip, current, and still gives us a message of peace & tranquility with tracks like "Do You Know Where Your Children Are," as Michael always had!

Seasoned producers like Babyface, L.A. Reid, & Rodney Jerkins are amongst a few of the producers who contributed to the success of this album. I must give a major shout out to Timbaland, who was also an executive producer for this album. What more can one expect? He gave us smooth sounds from the late Aaliyah -- her voice still resonating with all of us today, still timeless & classic. JustinTimberlake is another great artist who Timbaland help make a megastar. Justin beat out Beyoncé & Jayz for the Billboard music award -- also lending his vocals to the Xscape track that inspired this post. Xscape is truly a great album.. One I'm glad I purchased, and would also like to encourage others to support this great work of art! Bravo!

                       (Aaliyah)
 (Left: Justin Timberlake Right: Beyoncé, JayZ)



                (Timbaland )


-William Nero-
Twitter:@williamnero
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For avid readers, check out the book "The Choice to Pull the Trigger," available digitally on Itunes, Amazon, & Barnes & Noble


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