Michael Jackson died of an overdose of prescription drugs, while in the thick of rehearsals for a 50-date, sold-out series of comeback concerts in London, but as is the case with any superstar death, sales of Jackson’s records exploded after he passed. Maybe this is the reason why Sony Music’s Columbia/Epic Label Group has announced that a new single called “This Is It” hits the airwaves (on MichaelJackson.com) today, October 12, two weeks before it is available as part of a two-disc album released by the late King of Pop’s record label in an understandable cash grab, the first of an avalanche, no doubt.

“This song only defines, once again, what the world already knows: that Michael is one of God’s greatest gifts,” said John McClain, co-producer of the album and an executor of Jackson’s estate. The track, from the upcoming documentary ‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It,’ features backing vocals by the late pop star’s brothers and it was recorded during the sessions for Jackson’s 1991 album Dangerous.
Moreover, Rolling Stone magazine reports that the track will also appear on a two-disc set due on October 26 and in North America on October 27, to coincide with the simultaneous worldwide release of the Michael Jackson movie of the same name on October 28.
Disc one of the set features the songs: “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Jam,” “They Don’t Care About Us,” “Human Nature,” “Smooth Criminal,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground),” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Thriller,” “Beat It,” “Black or White,” “Earth Song,” “Billie Jean,” “Man in the Mirror,” “This Is It” and “This Is It (Orchestra Version).”
Disc two has early demo versions of the classics “She’s Out of My Life,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ ” and “Beat It,” as well as “Planet Earth”; all the recordings on the second disc are previously unreleased. The collection will come with a 36-page commemorative booklet with exclusive photos from Jackson’s final rehearsals.
The “This Is It” movie, subject of a $67 million deal between Jackson’s estate and concert promoter AEG Live and Sony Pictures, is based on more than 100 hours of footage from the final concert rehearsals. The release of the movie and album which comes four months after the pop star’s June 25 death in his Los Angeles home, will definitely add to the value of the “Thriller” singer’s estate, estimated at around $400 million.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 2:38 pm and is filed under News.