Michael Jacksons Xscape: Scrape that barrel dry..

A new Michael Jackson album has aired for the first time in a Knightsbridge hotel. Xscape is the self titled King of Pop’s second collection of 'new' material since his death in 2009.

In keeping with the secrecy that surrounded his every creative move when he was alive, we journalists were permitted to hear the album just once, after being scanned for electronic devices, but not allowed to know song titles or write anything constituting a review whilst there. Producers Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome “Jroc” Harmon and John McClain were named as those who had carried out what Jackson’s Epic Records head LA Reid called a “contemporising” of old vocals, but it was not revealed who had worked on which song.

“Michael left behind some performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with,” said Reid.  Jerkins is the only producer who worked with Jackson in the flesh. The others have been brought in to give a modern, busy, largely electronic sound.

Unlike the previous posthumous album, Michael from 2010, there should be no controversy this time about whether the vocals are really his. Xscape ranges from presumably older songs delivered in the soft sweet tones of his Off the Wall period, to others utilising his more recent harsher bark.

It’s a dull and dated collection, and at eight songs it constitutes the bare minimum of what could be called an album. Either this means the barrel is now completely scraped or, more likely, Sony is holding plenty back for further lucrative releases.

Xscape is due for release on May 13 and should you feel so inclined available for pre-order at iTunes today.