Michael Jackson Remixes And Rarities -2cd- -2009-
Release Overview
- Title: Michael Jackson Remixes And Rarities
- Format: 2CD
- Release Year: 2009
- Label: Unofficial Release / Bootleg (Various labels such as Midnight Beat or Trade Mark of Quality (TMoQ) are often associated with this specific pressing).
- Genre: Pop, Soul, Funk, Dance.
Michael Jackson — Remixes and Rarities (2CD, 2009)
Overview
- Release: 2009 (2CD compilation)
- Format: Two-disc set collecting remixes, alternate versions, and rare tracks associated with Michael Jackson’s solo career.
- Theme: Presents a creative, exploratory look at Jackson’s catalogue by highlighting reinterpretations — dance remixes, extended club edits, alternative mixes, and obscure B-sides — that illuminate the adaptability and enduring influence of his music.
Artistic significance
- Reinforces Jackson’s cross-genre appeal: the collection shows how his pop, R&B and funk originals translate into house, club, and electronic contexts without losing melodic identity.
- Demonstrates production versatility: alternate mixes reveal different production emphases (percussion-forward club versions, extended instrumental breaks, vocal-forward edits), offering insight into how arrangement choices change mood and danceability.
- Cultural legacy: by placing familiar hits beside rarities, the compilation argues Jackson’s songs function as modern standards ripe for reinvention across eras and scenes.
Disc 1 — Highlights and listening notes
- Opening track (e.g., extended remix of a major hit): an energetic, beat-driven rework that reframes the original chorus as a club anthem; sets the compilation’s tone of reinvention.
- Mid-disc rarities: lesser-known B-sides and alternate takes reveal intimate or experimental sides — stripped vocal mixes, alternate bridge sections, or early production sketches that show Jackson’s studio process.
- Closing selection: a downtempo or dub-style remix that strips back instrumentation, spotlighting emotional nuance in Jackson’s delivery.
Disc 2 — Dancefloor focus and deep cuts
- Club remixes: a sequence of high-tempo remixes designed for DJs — heavy four-on-the-floor kicks, extended instrumental passages, and layered synths that modernize classic hooks.
- Instrumental/bonus tracks: instrumental versions and dub edits useful for sampling, remixing, or appreciating arrangement details (bass lines, horn stabs, rhythm guitar).
- Final track: a rare or unreleased vocal mix that serves as a collector’s payoff — material that will interest completists and casual fans seeking new listening experiences.
Production and sonic character
- Remixer roster: likely features both mainstream and underground producers whose styles range from house and trance to urban remixing — each brings a distinct rhythmic and textural approach.
- Sound quality: 2009-era mastering typically aims for louder, punchier mixes suited to club play; remasters of rarities may vary in fidelity but often benefit from careful restoration.
- Arrangement techniques: common devices include extended intros/outros for DJ mixing, chopped and re-pitched vocal samples, added electronic percussion, and rebalanced stems to emphasize groove over original pop structures.
Target audiences and use cases
- Collectors and superfans: value for unreleased mixes, alternate takes, and completeness.
- DJs and producers: source material for sets, edits, or sampling.
- Casual listeners: fresh perspectives on familiar hits; rhythmic remixes for party playlists.
- Music historians/critics: material to study Jackson’s adaptability and the remix culture surrounding major pop figures.
Critical perspective
- Strengths: breathes new life into canonical songs; highlights production craft; offers rare archival material.
- Weaknesses: may feel uneven — quality of rarities and remixes varies; purists preferring original mixes might find some reworks unnecessary.
- Overall value: as a curated snapshot of how Michael Jackson’s music functions beyond its original studio contexts, the set is both historically interesting and practically useful for DJ/playground reinterpretation.
Suggested track-sequence listening approach
- Start with a high-energy remix to engage.
- Follow with rarities/alternate takes to appreciate nuance.
- Move to club-oriented remixes for sustained momentum.
- Finish with an intimate or instrumental rarities track to reflect.
Short promotional blurb
A thrilling two-disc journey through the dancefloors, studio outtakes, and hidden corners of Michael Jackson’s catalog — Remixes and Rarities (2CD, 2009) recasts iconic songs as inventive club anthems and reveals lesser-known studio gems, proving once more that Jackson’s music thrives in reinvention. Michael Jackson Remixes And Rarities -2CD- -2009-
If you want, I can:
- Draft liner notes for the CD jacket (short or extended).
- Create an annotated track-by-track guide (assume a 24–30 track list).
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The release titled Michael Jackson: Remixes and Rarities from 2009 is a 2-CD compilation, notable primarily as an unofficial release originating from Russia. Despite its unofficial status, it became a frequent find in collector markets following Jackson's passing, often packaged under labels like Star Mark. 💿 Release Overview
The collection is designed to capture the fervor surrounding Jackson's catalog in the wake of his death in June 2009. Unlike official retrospective sets like The Ultimate Collection (2004), this 2-CD set leans heavily on dance floor remixes and radio edits from the 80s and 90s. Format: 2 x CD, Compilation Country of Origin: Russia Genre: Electronic, Pop, Hip Hop
Labels (Unofficial): Star Mark, Epic (imprinted), Legacy (imprinted) 🎵 Tracklist Highlights
The album's structure is split between massive hits in their extended or remixed forms and collaborative tracks from the latter part of his career. CD 1: Classic 12" Mixes and Radio Edits
This disc focuses on the "extended" era, providing the longer dance versions originally found on vinyl singles.
Billie Jean (Original 12" Version): The full 6:21 version featuring the extended drum intro.
Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit): A club-focused edit of the Bad era hit. Release Overview
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Extended 12" Mix): The high-energy, nearly 7-minute version of the Thriller opener.
Scream (Naughty Radio Edit With Rap): A rare edit of the Janet Jackson collaboration. CD 2: Modern Remixes and Collaborative Rarities
The second disc includes then-contemporary remixes (such as those from Thriller 25) and deeper house/club interpretations.
Beat It 2008: Featuring Fergie, from the 25th-anniversary release of Thriller. The Girl Is Mine 2008: A club mix featuring will.i.am.
Earth Song (Hani's Radio Experience): A popular house-inflected remix by Hani.
Blood On The Dance Floor (Fire Island Radio Edit): A classic 90s club remix.
Why (Radio Edit): Michael’s collaboration with his nephews, the group 3T. ⚠️ Collector's Note: Official vs. Unofficial
While this 2-CD set is widely documented on collector sites like Discogs, it is not a part of the official Sony Music/Epic Records discography. Title: Michael Jackson Remixes And Rarities Format: 2CD
If you are looking for official 2009 remix projects, you may be thinking of:
The Remix Suite: An official Motown release (Universal) that features 2009-era remixes of Jackson 5 and early solo material by producers like The Neptunes, Akon, and Stargate.
The Stripped Mixes: An official 2009 collection focusing on "unplugged" and vocal-heavy versions of his early hits.
For a deeper look at how Michael's music is professionally remixed and the history behind his iconic sessions, check out this overview:
Michael Jackson – Remixes & Rarities (2009, 2CD)
Type: Unofficial / Bootleg
Label: Various (often “Bad Thriller” or no label)
Source: CD-R / Web-download era (post-This Is It, 2009)
CD 2
| # | Title | Notes |
|---|-------|-------|
| 1 | Blood On The Dance Floor (Refugee Camp Remix) | From 1997 single promos |
| 2 | Ghosts (Mousse T Remix) | Rare from European promos |
| 3 | Is It Scary (Deep Dish Dark Remix) | Bootleg/unreleased version |
| 4 | You Rock My World (Album Instrumental) | Unreleased instrumental |
| 5 | Butterflies (Acapella) | From Invincible sessions |
| 6 | Break Of Dawn (Early Demo) | Rough mix, different vocals |
| 7 | Unbreakable (Full Length Version) | Extended intro |
| 8 | Speechless (Piano & Voice Mix) | Rare stripped version |
| 9 | Whatever Happens (Alternate Mix) | Different guitar solo by Carlos Santana |
| 10 | One More Chance (Original Demo) | Richer arrangement than final 2003 single |
| 11 | We’ve Had Enough (Extended Version) | Longer than The Ultimate Collection version |
| 12 | Beautiful Girl (Unreleased 2004 Mix) | From The Ultimate Collection outtakes |
| 13 | I’m A Loser (Demo 1988) | Unreleased Bad era demo |
| 14 | Cheater (Demo 1986) | Later officially released on Bad 25 |
Disc 1: The Extended Era
The first disc focuses heavily on the Thriller and Bad eras, utilizing the "Extended Dance Mix" format that was ubiquitous in the 1980s.
- The "Thriller" Megamix: A standout feature of many pressings of this bootleg is a continuous mix of tracks from the Thriller album. This provides a club-ready retrospective of Jackson’s most successful era.
- Extended Versions: The disc features the full-length 12-inch mixes of major hits. Notable inclusions often found on this compilation include:
- "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (The extended 12" version, which offers a longer instrumental breakdown).
- "Thriller" (Remixes that extend the horror-movie atmosphere of the original).
- "Billie Jean" (Often included in an edit that extends the iconic bassline intro).
These tracks are valuable to listeners who are used to the standard radio edits found on Number Ones or The Essential Michael Jackson, as they restore the full musical architecture intended for dancefloors.
Tracklist