Monday 26 May 2014

#MUSICMONDAY #FLASHINGLIGHTS WINNER - SKAI











Before I delve into all things Mariah this week, let's give May's final 'Flashing Lights' winner her moment in the ESP spotlight

The 22-year-old, London-born American wearing this week's crown, goes by the moniker of Skai. She has garnered herself a great deal of positive recognition from the big (lipped) boys in the old US of A. Her career path has taken her from regular appearances on well-known mixtapes by JayZ's resident Club 40/40 DJ; to works by Grammy award winning, Super Producer, Jimi Kendrix. What landed her atop this week's ESP podium though? Well read on and see… 

Drake is reduced to little more than a compere introducing the main act on the radio, in this twist on his own male betrayal anthem. Skai begins to tell of the reasons for her 'Trust Issues' calmly and quietly for a female who's been wronged by a deceitful lover. You initially feel sorry for her, until she breaks down and confesses that his behaviour has driven her to the beds of several other men, for comfort and retaliation (Ladies: less Kandi'sDon't think I'm Not’, and more Left Eye's real feelings behind Creep will always find you the Victor - even if only a moral one).

On the flip side, you realise how much damage each is doing the other, by the time Buefford Mallary jumps on for a stellar 16 bars. Most times, the chosen MC sullies the quality of a track. That could just be my opinion, but it does appear to be a running theme…except in this case. This is the true meaning stepping up and representing your team. Mallary's delivery is at times emotional, angry, desperate, and heartbroken. Nice job Sir, well done. He by far outdoes Wale's turn on Mariah's new album for example, but more about that in the album's review.

By the time Skai flips Drake's hook for an equally insulting equivalent, you're left at a complete and utter loss. Why can't they work it out? Why are two people, so utterly in love with the other, so intent on imploding what could be a beautiful love, if they would just stop destroying it! BreddWinnaz production is beautifully elegant and raw, to match the emotions expressed by the singers. Such a nice job, that special recognition is deserved and awarded.

Skai – for so valiantly putting your (sometimes self-inflicted) wounds on wax, #iSaluteU. Not only have you won this week's single review, but also this month's prize of £80 worth of Graphic Design for your next musical release! I'm looking forward to working with you!




Feel like you could compete? Head on over to the Contact page on the ESP Website, enter your submission by uploading it to the ESP Soundcloud Dropbox. And follow that with completing the contact box with your information - et voila! If I like your track the most, you win - simple as!

And what's up for grabs at the end of June? From the ESPshowcase 'Lights' menu; the 'MegaWatts' package sees the creation and maintenance of accounts on the 5 main websites that any musical newcomer should have a voice on: Twitter, Facebook, ReverbNation, SoundCloud, and YouTube. The prize includes customised, uniform branding, tailored to your Artist Persona. All inclusive, this prize bundle is worth over £50 in the ESPstore.

Until the next…!

ES ;)

BANK HOLIDAY SALES (AND SECRETS)!!!


How Art Thou, One and All?

Have you enjoyed this typically rainy British Bank Holiday in your own special ways? Well done if you managed it, but if not, here's a few suggestions to pick you right up...

First up - the Bank Holiday Sale to end ALL Bank Holiday Sales! Everything is 25% OFF in the ESPstore, from today until 31st May! So head on over, have a browse, shop around, and fill yer boots with the bits that you'd like the most, guilt free! Here are just a few of the bargains on offer...

              

Buy any and all of the above from either the ESP Facebook Page, or directly from the ESP website!

Once you've whet your whistles on the hors d'ouvres, I suggest you find room for the main course, because the focus of this week's #MusicMonday Tribute is a Hero of mine; in fact, if I Close My Eyes and really think about it, it may just be a sweet, sweet Fantasy come true...

See You Soon!
ES ;)

Saturday 24 May 2014

CALLING ALL FASHION GRADUATES! I NEED YOU!


Congratulations to all of you who made it this far!

Now that you've finished doing what everyone else needed you to do for 4 years or more, I want to turn the tables. I want to put together a special package of services that YOU now need the most, for your progression to the next stage of your career.

Answer these few questions in the Comment Box below, and help me determine what would serve you best:

1. Are these the basic items that your press kits are going to need?
  • Your Biography
  • Your Collection Press Release
  • A full collection review by EricaSharlette Promotions Ltd.
2. Do you need any other visual items apart from your Lookbook?

3. What other items would you absolutely need for your Student Promotional Pack?

4. What other items would you like to have?

Thank you so much in advance for your time - the packs that I put together based on your answers, will be available to order at Graduate Fashion Week from 31st May to 3 June at a 40% discount, and then from the ESPstore thereafter. As a thank you for your time today, you can grab yourselves your own pack from the ESPstore, with a 30% discount. Simply email me stating your name, contact information, and repeating your answers and online username from today, so that I can be sure that you really did participate!

Thanks again in advance and Congratulations for pulling off your amazing feat!

Until the next...
ES ;)


Friday 23 May 2014

#FilmFriday: BoxOffice - BAD NEIGHBOURS (2014)


Bad Neighbours is the try-hard 'comedy' that should be a surefire hit, but is really just an editorial on how Australian the usually lovable Rose Byrne isn't, and how far past his High School Musical days Zac Efron really is…no really, he just wants to prove it to you, if only you’ll let him!

Newlyweds, new parents, and newly grown up; Mac and Kelly Radner (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) have just sunk their last pennies into the new dream house they bought to raise their baby daughter in. Before they have the opportunity to unpack their place settings however, the neighbours from HELL move in, in the very-ripped shape of Zac Efron – who uses any and every excuse possible to be topless (mostly for no apparent reason); best bud / wingman Pete (Dave Franco), and the rest of their college fraternity brothers.

Riddled with trust issues and slightly nuts (from baby oil poisoning, I'm sure); Frat President Teddy, and his smarter 2nd in command Pete devise a plan to embrace 'The Old Guys Next Door', in an attempt to get them onside, and stop them complaining about their many, intended disturbances. Worried about getting old before their time, and always missing the party, Mac and Kelly jump at the chance to prove their youth still exists. Getting along extraordinarily well proved a shock to all – between Mac and Teddy especially, who shared a disturbing affinity – one was afraid he would become the other; the other afraid he had lost all semblance of the other, that had existed inside of him until only a short time ago.

The new bromance bond was short-lived howeverbroken as quickly as it had been forged, when the next night's party was even more raucous than the first (and the old guys from next door didn’t warrant an invite). Making what he thought was an anonymous call, Mac reports the disturbance keeping his baby girl awake, to the Police, reneging on the one promise he made the mentally disturbed collegiate, with nothing but his looks going for him.

And so begins the Frat boys' reign of terror that starts at ridiculous, and only goes downhill from there (a homemade dildo emporium to raise funds for their flooded basement? I mean, really?! The only thing worse than that entire idea, was Kelly's supposedly guilty expression, when an insecure Mac asks what kind of self-respecting female would buy one – truly painful). One pathetic fight between the young besties, an even worse 'dance battle' between Teddy and Mac (the latter of whom actually wins), and a gratuitous 3-way kiss between Kelly, Pete, and Teddy's girlfriend Brooke later; it becomes clear that not even the innately funny Lisa Kudrow as the good headline-grabbing College Dean, can save this film. Not even when she tries to diffuse attention from the used condom one of the frat boys dumped on the Radner's lawn, which ends up in their baby daughter's mouth. Actually, that part's just plain sick.

The war escalates to the point of danger, when the boys steal the airbags from the family's car, and fix them to places Mac would never suspect, despite Pete's repeated warnings that Teddy is going too far. Outsmarted by 'The Old Guys' at the final hurdle, Teddy decides to throw the end of school party to end all end of school parties, and seal their fate in the history books forever (Fraternity, not World). Successfully setting the boys up to break the rules of their probation 3 weeks before they graduate, the Radner's only have one move left to swing the win on home.


In typical fashion, Mac and Teddy square off, leaving Kelly free to break into Teddy's bedroom, and unleash the kids' 'special weapon' for lighting up the neighbourhood. The earlier-mentioned showdown was so pitiful, that I was embarrassed for them; so much so, that I genuinely wanted to cry – and that was before Seth Rogen began trying to use the leftover homemade dildos as nunchucks. Yes, I’m really serious.

Bad Neighbours is a horrific tale of stupidity at its most desperate, which is understandable for Zac Efron, but Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne are so much better than roles that are one-step above porn when you're desperate for cash. In fact...nope, this was far worse than starring in porn and gifting it your Grandparents for Xmas. It's a waste of time for all concerned, that had all the ingredients for a great comedy, but somehow, the cake just BOMBED. Over, and over, and over again; when what someone merciful should've done, was burned every original negative in the canister.

Let us never speak of this again. Ever. Starting in 2 minutes and 27 seconds



I'M SORRY to have done something so cruel to you.

Please forgive me.
ES ;)

#FilmFriday; Behind The Scenes - Real Talk TV Show, Hosted by Charley Jai, 24TH MAY


#FilmFriday is not just about the big screen, Box Office smashers, but also about local, homegrown talent doing worthwhile, brilliant projects that they should be supported for. That's what I intend to do with my mate Charley-Jai's excellent new web series that launches tomorrow - 24th May, via the new channel. Aware that many others like myself, had some questions for her, she finally agreed to answer everything we wanted to know at once, so to find out along with me, lets go Behind The Scenes...


As most of you will know by now, I have been working on a new project for YouTube. THE REAL TALK TV SERIES is one which aims to positively inspire, encourage, inform and motivate upcoming talent, semi-established artists / performers as well as serve as an opportunity for such creative persons, businesses and the alike to raise their profile. Hopefully a number of ‘big-wigs’ in the entertainment/media field will take an interest in the talent featured ;)

Where did the idea for the show come from?
For many years I have been doing various work which sees me provide opportunities for others – Journalism, Youth Work, Blogging, Radio, Motivational Speaking etc and after being asked to present for several on-screen projects, of which the aims were to inspire others, I felt that there is a need for that to be a regular thing but one which isn’t filtered; where there is a real and honest look at all aspects of various industries, people, jobs etc including that of an aspiring TV Presenter who is learning on the job.

Why be the face of The Real Talk TV Series?
I spent just under 2 years auditioning aspiring TV Presenters (only females showed an interest) who would volunteer in the role and although they were each beautiful in their own way, fun and quirky, the second the camera was on them they turned into Newsreaders! Although not (yet) an amazing TV Presenter myself, I have a personality, a no-fear approach to such work and am not afraid of looking silly so, as was decided and agreed by the team, it made sense for me to present the show. For now… 

How is the show being funded?
There is no funding as such. We, the team, cover costs such as travel expenses, tapes for filming, refreshments for the screenings etc.

Will each episode focus on something specific?
Yes – this is the aim although we are still working on how best to do this as we know it is important to have the show be entertaining whilst being informative.

How did you get people to be on the show?
I contacted people I know, with whom I have a friendship or have worked with in the past. Also, having hosted live events, my own radio show and through journalism etc, I’ve met so many people who are extremely talented!! I reached out to them, pitched the idea of the show and (to date) each person I’ve approached has agreed to be involved.

What is the length of each episode?
Ideally, I would have liked each to be no longer than 4 minutes however; that is so unrealistic based on what we are trying to achieve so, 10 minutes is the aim.

When will the show launch and how often will there be a new episode?
Hopefully 24th May 2014 and weekly thereafter.

Why YouTube?
Why not? Currently it is the biggest platform on which to launch anything and everything!! Also, despite the many connections I have in the arts industry, I am without the power to simply have my work debuted on TV.

How did you get sponsorship from Happy Chap Clothing?
I met the founder (Raymond Mfon) a couple years ago after randomly coming across ‘Happy Chap Clothing’ on Facebook. I contacted him and asked if he would like his label to take part in a fashion show to be included in a Listening Party showcase event by NLPR Ltd. He agreed, we remained in contact and I later approached him about The Real Talk TV Series. He really liked the concept and so decided he’d love to be on board.

Where did the idea for the animation come from?
Like almost everyone in the world, or so it seems, I’ve always wanted an animated version of myself however not the standard (sims or cartoon) type that others have. I wanted something pixilated; quite 80s or 90s looking. I had the exact idea of its look and of the opening sequence to the show in my head but, I didn't know how to articulate that using the correct jargon or who to approach. In my frustration I shared my thoughts with Natalie (Production Assistant) and Emma (Videographer/Photographer/Editor) and they mentioned Chieze from Shining Concept whom they later introduced me to. I spoke with him and, like Raymond; he loved the whole concept of the show and agreed to come on board. 

Obviously, nothing starts out being 100% spot on but, what is hoped for The Real Talk TV Series long term?
That it is recognised and supported by a TV Network with an interest in showing it on their channel. Evidently the first series is very rough around the edges! With series 2 we are implementing all that we learned from filming the first time round. We hope by series 3 (if not 2) to have the show be super on point and for it to have a committed audience. Obviously the hits will be the deciding factor as to its future. That said I’ll always be happy that I chose to launch the project and will remain proud of myself and the team for our incredibly hard work!! 

2 screenings will be held prior to its launch. Since when do people hold a pre-launch screening for a YouTube show?
We may indeed be the first (ha-ha) however, it was of huge importance to me to have constructive feedback from professional industry persons, as well as those I trust, to be completely honest about how we can better the project. I don’t believe we will get such criticism from the general public. These days it seems more and more people are all about slating just for the sake of it rather than supporting genuine movements.

How are people able to put themselves forward to be involved?
Whether their interest is to feature or to join the team, they need only send their full name, BIO (or details of their past and current work) with reasons as to why they want to be a part of the show, together with a clear photo to realtalkuk_creative@outlook.com addressed to RTTVS.





The Real Talk TV Series does not aim to be a carbon copy of anything already out there or something polished. Its purpose is to give to others an online hub of all things positive, productive and beneficial in the hope that it will somehow be a source of inspiration, help and encouragement! There will never be a goal too big to reach. Let your self belief be your motivation!! x




TEAM
Charley Jai - Twitter / Instagram
Chieze Ihecherenoma – Instagram
Natalie L Royer - Twitter / Instagram / Website
Emma Obichukwu - Twitter / Twitter 2 / Instagram
Raymond Mfon - Twitter / Instagram / Website

YouTube – to launch May 2014

Pictures taken by Emma Obichukwu and Edited by Charley Jai
Logo's supplied by each company, Edited by Charley Jai
___________________________

Congrats Ms. Jai, on your new undertaking, and your courageous approach. I'll be watching - will you?

Until the next...
ES ;)

Wednesday 14 May 2014

#WearItWednesday: #OnTrend DENIM DISTINCTIONS


The WGSN released this month's trend news earlier today, and one of the points they raised, was the way forward for denim during SS15 into AW15/16.

If you're unfamiliar with the terminology, your helpful friend Yours Truly is here to break them down, with a couple of examples for you, so that you know what to look for in the shops this weekend. Pull up a chair and get comfy...

First up: Stamping

See Dushonok's creations and her homemade stamping process - Click me 




Pattern detail stamped onto the denim. Can be done at home for an individual, one of a kind touch, or bought in-store for standard styling.







High Street Samples:

Primark £10 - Click to Buy 

















H&M £19.99 - Click to Buy 







The pull of stamping is the customisation for one of a kind individuality, so if you do go for the store-bought option, try to find a way to brand yours to YOU.









Garment Stickers

Another means for customisation, iron stickers onto your choice of garment and make it individual to you:

Zazzle.co.uk - Click to Buy 



Concealed Placement

Exactly as it says on the tin, smart concealed placement can lift the status of some pieces from casual to semi-dressy...


       
Nordstrom £188.44
Decorative Stitch

This one doesn't need too much by way of explanation, it's all about what it says on the tin!



High Street Sample:


Olsen.co.uk, £62

Click to Buy



I'm going to add one suggestion of my own to this, and that would be Embroidery:


Primark Belgium €15

High Street Samples:


Fatface £38.00 - Click to Buy 





















H&M, £69.99 - Click to Buy 




















And if you're stuck on any more terminology, then Dawn's Denim is here to break it down for you! Check out this mind-boggling glossary, explaining just about every term you could possibly think of!

Are you going after a style? Which one and Why? The stage below is all YOURS!

Until the next Folx!
ES ;)

Images courtesy of PRshots and individual retailers.

Monday 12 May 2014

#LostInMusic: MICHAEL JACKSON'S 'BAD' (REVIEW)


Michael Jackson's seventh studio album, released in 1987, is rarely thought of as one of his finest bodies of work, but is instead considered full of iconic moments in musical history. When you consider however, that this album saw the birth of feature zips, the Dirty Diana, and Smooth Criminal legacies, not to mention Moonwalker, and a worldwide tour that grossed $125 million dollars, in some ways, this was one of Michael's most successful projects. In the words of another great, let's start at the very beginning

The title song was originally supposed to be a duet with that other iconic musician, equally enigmatic, and far more risqué and controversial than Michael ever was. But when Prince listened to the 'Bad' demo, he reportedly told Jackson and Executive Producer, Quincy Jones: "You don't need me on this, man!" And turned down the offer; shattering the hopes and dreams of joint fans everywhere, forever, since the opportunity never came again.

Determined not to be mistaken for a 'Beat It' pt. 2; Michael switched position from Peacemaker to Aggressor in this next phase of his storytelling genius. With 'Off The Wall' we learned that 'Little Michael Jackson' had his own two feet. With 'Thriller', we learned that 'Little Michael Jackson' wasn't so little. With 'Bad', we learned that Mr Jackson had an edge.

Now a lover and a fighter, the sounds were tougher, the moves were sharper, and the words were hard enough to render him the Bruce Lee of lyricism. The video was another defining moment in musical, and cultural history. In the case of Wesley Snipes, it was the beginning of the gainful employment that led to that pesky little tax problem.

If, by some freak force of nature, you've never heard this album, or any of its muthaluving CLASSICS, consider this a crash course. Sit down, grab your notebook, and sharpen your pencil, because class is most definitely in session. In the vein of our US friends, you gon learn today, my friends.

Now then. Once you put your initial shock aside, and consider the lyrics, you'll realise that the aggressor is actually the good guy employed to corral the baddies! Don’t let the black buckles and chains fool you – the villains on the block had a new nemesis, and like the John Waynes, Sergeant Kinchloes, and Shafts before him, this unorthodox protector of the peace was one baaaad mammajamma. Make him mad and he WILL dance at you



Can we also take a moment to recognise, and celebrate the birth of 'shamone'? That verbal fixture that we all now know so well?

If ever there was a moment that Michael Jackson and I both shared in history, it was that of being stunned by the oh so breathtaking Tatiana Yvonne Thumbtzen. He (and most males) wanted her, and I (and most females) wanted to be her! 'The Way You Make Me Feel' is essentially a slick, four minute and fifty-eight second chat up line, that I feel confident in saying would work on most females; especially in the eighties, when this side of MJ was still so new, sexy, and charismatic to women across the world. A besotted young man lays eyes (and aspires to loins) on an attractive young lady and sets out to get her by laying on the charm nice and thick, to the borderline of insufferable, but never actually breaching it – hence the reason it works. He dances at his prey again, but this time, his gyrating powers are used in an entirely different fashion



'Speed Demon' is another one that, as Quincy Jones said, was "so far out of the box, that he just stayed there!" On his bike (literally), MJ is targeted by the Road Police, for a ticket that he doesn't want to take, so he burns rubber to get away. Sounds too simplistic, now doesn't it? In fact the premise doesn't sound particularly interesting at all, right? But that was before you heard, and saw him do this with it:



'Liberian Girl' makes you want to change your nationality. An infatuated love song for the exotic fantasy girl, the video features a host of celebrity friends, all trying to find MJ. In the most elaborate Where’s Wally – I mean Michael ever, see if you can spot him



'Just Good Friends' is an amazing moment in music history. Two of the greatest musicians of all time, not so 'Little Michael Jackson' and not so 'Little Stevie Wonder' come together (no pun intended) in beautiful, duetting harmony, for a back'n'forth, over a girl who's playing them both with the same lines…Trollope. No video for this one, but oh how I wish there was. Michael and Stevie in the studio together should have been recorded properly, for posterity; so a major FAIL on that one.

'Another Part of Me' is an attempt to remind listeners that we’re all one nation, one race, one colour beneath the Heavens, so we should really be nicer, and more accepting of each other. His first message song hitting back at the fingers which, by that time, had begun to point and sneer at him and make him a target. A harder, angrier version is yet to come on this set.




'Man In The Mirror' is still one of Michael’s biggest message songs to date. It's inspirational, it's heartwrenching, and it brings its listeners together in unified solidarity. Definitely one of those 'Best Of' moments



'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' brought about a milestone in the life of a young(er) ES. This was the first time I ever experienced seething jealousy towards another female (not counting that daft Thriller chick who didn't have the good sense to be eaten by zombies). Throughout my childhood, I developed a perfectly normal and mentally stable hatred for Seidah Garrett, for bewitching my Michael, and making him fall in love and declare his devotion in such a heartfelt fashion. Even though I now know and understand that it was just for the purpose of the song, there’s still a little niggle everytime I think of her. They were too real! No official video for this one either, but here he is, rehearsing it with the amazingly talented Judith Hill, for the 'This Is It' tour:




In the case of 'Dirty Diana', the milestone was learning the true meaning of a slapper. The great Quincy Jones described this one as a "Groupie Song"; so for several years I thought groupie and slapper were one and the same. I humbly apologise to all the non-slapper groupies. It was a genuine mistake. In terms of the song itself? A single, non-racially profiled, female goes a little bunny boiler crazy, when she holds him against his will after a show. She attempts to break up his relationship, and generally creates the definitive term for needing a straightjacket



Now when I said that this track created a movement, I really wasn't joking. 'Smooth Criminal' also played a heavy part in the movie 'Moonwalker', which followed a year later. Grossing over $67 million worldwide, it's safe to say that despite the critics response, the film was a stratospheric success. An iconic moment in music history, Jackson's love of old black and white gangster movies came to colourful life a short time, with the twist being that the usual fight scene in a bar became a major dance scene that has become one of the biggest for any artist, in music history



'Leave Me Alone' closes the standard set with an unabashed message to the media that were, by then, vilifying and condemning him on a daily basisrarely with a justified reason, but always with a pricetag attached



This album is an amazing body of work. So creative, and visionary, that last year, on it's 25th anniversary, the occasion was marked not only by a re-release with several (murderous, and NOT in a good way) remixes, but also a documentary by Spike Lee, interviewing some of the world's biggest names, to discuss the influence of the album on them and their talents in their chosen field. It proved without a shadow of a doubt that Michael Jackson's legacy reaches far and wide; beyond the realms of our collective imagination. His achievements will likely never be replicated by one person. So far, the few records broken, have been by various people. No one person has, nor probably ever will, match the unimaginable feats that this one man managed in 44 years. I highly doubt that anyone will change HIStory.

Michael Jackson, #WeSaluteYou til the end of time.

Until the next
ES ;)

#SoundOfTheWeek: XSCAPE - MICHAEL JACKSON


Since the untimely passing of Michael Jackson, music buyers have become firmly rooted in one of two camps. Either you believe that his decades of unreleased material should remain locked up and enshrined in his memory, knowing how particular he was about what the public got to hear, without his stamp of approval (making their release a desecration of his creative integrity). Or, you just want to hear the magic; even if that means the art is compromised by allowing others to finish the vision that MJ had started. You feel he did the basics and others can finish what he started, in fact you fail to see what the big fuss is even about!

Personally, I'm barely a step away from the former. When you have someone so intrinsically linked to everything that they create, you cannot have any old producerno matter how talented, come in, and finish it with Michael's ear – no-one else is that gifted. Will I listen to it? Absolutely, it is the Greatest Entertainer of ALL Time, after all! Would I buy it, however? Not a chance – I will not support Sony's ongoing attempts to loot a deadman's vault, and steal his children's legacy to line their own pockets, it's shameful, and unconscionable.

Now that we've got the ethical issues out the way, let's talk tracks shall we?

Once you take the fact that as excellent a producer is, he will never produce the project to Michael's stellar level of skill out of the equation, you can judge the work on a more even footing. The standard version of the album consists of 8 'reworked' tracks, with the deluxe containing each in their original state, plus one bonus remix featuring Justin Timberlake. More about that mess later...

Lead single 'Love Never Felt So Good' kicks off the compilation set. A feel good, modern day Disco track, the opening strings are very 'typically Michael' in their slow, artful start. Taking you back to the days of 'Off The Wall', it’s an excellent open that sets the tone for the rest of the project in a big way. As the title suggests, the song is a thank you to a cherished partner, in recognition of the love that she makes him feel, and the happiness that comes along with it. The live original - one of the bonus tracks - is as poignant as it is natural, with just Michael, the piano, some handclaps and fingersnaps. The greatest moment however, comes at the end, when you hear Michael’s voice, giving his ok on the studio take. The first time you hear it brings startled surprise, chills, nostalgia, and a touch of wistful sadness, as you remember that the great man behind the talent is no longer with us. 




'Chicago' sounds like something that could have made the 'Invincible' album infinitely better. Michael's lower register dominates the moment in the best of ways in this semi-apology to the husband of his girl, as he recounts how she duped them both through the story of how they met. This is a healthy Michael, doing what he did bestsinging his heart out with compelling emotion

'Loving You' is a stellar, standout track. Although it is distinctly 90s RnB / Soul, the modern day tinge means that it's competing with absolutely nothing on the radio right now. As suggested by the title, this one is a love letter with his typically beautiful harmonies, taking the whole five minutes and thirty-five seconds to an entirely new level.

'A Place With No Name' takes its bones from America's 'A Horse With No Name'. But the original songwriter's involvement notwithstanding, the similarities end there. This is a takeover club track, just begging to rule a dancefloor. Michael's lyrics and delivery catch you up in the dreamworld that he describes in infinite detail. Even the production by Jackson himself, songwriter Dewey Bunnel, and Dr. Freeze, sounds surreal. A mystery woman shows up in the middle of nowhere, and walks him through a mist into an unnamed Utopia where human, and environmental life coexist happily to a level of imaginary perfection, and attempts to use her wiles to keep him there. She almost succeeds, until he pulls out a picture of his family and girlfriend, which succeeds in reminding him that the dreamworld he stands in, does not compare to what he has waiting at home.

'Slave to the Rhythm' begins dramatically with the slow, clinking sound of manacles dragging on the ground, backed by equally intense strings setting a vivid scene for the next chapter. The victim of the story dances to every beat of it. Sounding like something you expect to watch crews battle to. A wife and mother works herself to the bone to keep both her tyrant husband and her merciless boss happy.

'Do You Know Where Your Children Are' seems like a ridiculous addition to me. Not because I believe any of the accusations, nor because the song is bad (far from it); but since this is supposedly a compilation in his honour, it seems completely mercenary and disrespectful to throw in a track that will invite personal controversy. Keep it about the music, I say. On that note…With production that wouldn't have been out of place on Chaka Khan's 'I Feel For You' album from 1984, Jackson plays out a variety of scenarios in which children pay the ultimate price for an adults lack of responsibility and supervision. The message is a viable one, it would just carry more weight coming from someone that half the world didn’t believe the wrong things about.

'Blue Gangsta' doesn’t quite wash with me message-wise. First of all, love Michael as I do, you cannot justifiably claim to be a gangsta and mention crying as early as the intro of the song. It's just against the rules of Gangstafied Living! Am I right, or am I right? Anywhoo, a rather mean and unchaste female who, at one time, had promised to marry him, has been exposed as a liar, and a cheat, and he's understandably upset. About as 'hard' as he gets, is 'watch me light the fuse'. Not much 'gangsta talk' beyond that. Solange Knowles in a hotel liftGangsta. MJ – the most Gansta of all-round performers throughout history. Apart from that? Not so much…

'Xscape' is the Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins big finish that sees the late, great one go out with a bang. The injustices of a world that treated him so callously are called to mind, as his haunting words echo being hounded to seek real life escapism

'why is it I can't do whatever want to /
when it's my personal life, and I don't live for you...'

Now that's Gangsta!

The bonus remix of 'Love Never Felt So Good' featuring Justin Timberlake was far more of a sombre addition than I'm sure was intended. We didn't get the usual cocky ex-boyband member with the boyish, and sometimes flirty charm. Instead, a nervous sounding boy fan provided a nervous sounding verse, that should have been a cinch for him at the worst of times. Considering the tall order however, I suppose it's hard to condemn his nerves, but at the same time, don't try so hard not to make a mistake, that you overcompensate by under-delivering to the fullest potential as we all know that you are capable of doing.




And there you have it - all 9 parts of Sony’s latest money-making venture. Is it a good compilation? Yes, very much so. However, you cannot get away from the fact that this was not how the King of Pop would have wanted this music to be heard. These songs belonged to his children, and it was up to them, how the material should have been released – if at all - not some conglomerate wanting to clear the entertainer's hotel bill.

'Xscape' is available now from all major music retailers.

You know what time it is - share you thoughts below, let's talk!

Until the next...
ES ;)