Due to new production delays, the schedule of Sony Music for the release of Michael Jackson's album is being rearranged. The final tapes of the new album won't be turned in by August as expected.
The November 9th commercial release date may be postponed soon. Sony Music is still hoping for a release this year but very little time is left now to meet the deadline.
05/08/1999 Michael with Will Smith
Today, dotmusic.co.uk published the following statement:
"Will Smith and Michael Jackson are teaming up for a track that is due out at the end of the year. Rodney Jerkins, who has produced records for the like of Whitney Houston, is the producer on the as as yet untitled track. A source said: "Will Smith has already laid down a rap. Now they're just waiting for Michael to lay down some vocals."
10/08/1999 Boyz II Men with the King of Pop
Planet Jackson brings you an exclusive interview with Boyz II Men by American reporter Carol U. Ozemhoya.
"Michael Jackson and Boyz II Men will collaborate on music for each of our new albums, due out as the world breaks in a new century. We may also be making appearances together, including a New Year's Eve performance and a joint tour. I can't say that as fact yet. We're still working things out. It's just an idea.
The show we did with Michael in Seoul was electrifying. Michael asked us to do the show in Korea awhile back. We all started talking and got a creative vibe going. It didn't take us long to decide we wanted to do a song together for each album his and ours and also a song for the new millennium. We're still working on our separate albums. We haven't decided yet what style the collaborations with Michael will follow. We're still vibing. We'll probably do at least one ballad with him. We hope to begin work on the songs in September. We want to do them here in Philly [Philadelphia].
The Boyz II Men album won't be ready for release until the first quarter of the new millennium. Expect to hear some different sides of the group."
Nathan Morris, band member.
"Michael has long been an admirer of the group, and in fact nicknamed them the Kings of Vocals . Michael and the boys have been close friends for years, and the albums provided an opportunity for them all to work together. These guys are already in the history books, but they wanted to produce one of the biggest songs of the new century. What they are about to do will be nothing short of incredible."
Qadree El-Amin, band manager.
10/08/1999 Millennium Concerts
Rumors pretending that Michael's concert in Sydney on December 31st is cancelled or moved to Melbourne are absolutely not true.
Millennium concerts in Sydney and Hawaii are definetely on.
11/08/1999 New Album - Release Date Postponed
Sony Music has rescheduled the release date of the new Michael Jackson album.
The new record is now expected for a release by early 2000.
11/08/1999 August 29th Press Conference
Michael Jackson will hold a press conference in New York City on August 29th to announce his Millennium projects.
12/08/1999 New Manager
Michael Jackson has hired a new manager to assist him. Freddie DeMann will now be dealing with the King of Pop's career.
DeMann had already been Michael's manager in the early eighties, before Frank Dileo took over the position.
13/08/1999 Quote from Quincy Jones
This is an excerpt from an interview that BPI Entertainment News reporter Steve Morse recently did with Quincy Jones.
"In the studio, Michael was a hard worker, a really hard worker. He would stand there until he got it right. He likes to perform with the lights out and just a single light on the stand. And he likes to do some of his dances during songs.
On "The Lady In My Life", I needed Michael to express an emotion that goes way, way back. I said Smelly, I need you to beg on this. I want a serious beg on this one, which is convincing the lady that this is the way that she should go. Michael knew exactly what I was talking about. He got all embarrassed and started to blush. But he did it and then he ran out of there."
16/08/1999 Quote from T-Boz, TLC
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, TLC band member T-Boz named Michael's "Billie Jean" as one of her five favorite songs. Here is what she said:
"Let me tell you about 'Billie Jean': that was awesome. I actually used to wear a white shirt with a bow tie and my leather pants every day after school. When he took his hat off and slid across the floor in that pose... that's the pose right there."
17/08/1999 Quote from Rebbie Jackson
Rebbie Jackson spoke to journalist Steve Ivory about Michael's "Motown 25" performance. She recalls:
"The day after 'Motown 25' aired was like a holiday at the family home, with friends and family calling and dropping by all day. We played the video of Michael's segment so much that day that the tape tore up. We were just so happy. And proud."
18/08/1999 Press Conference - August 29th - Update
Mama Concerts' Marcel Avram will hold a press conference in New York City on August 29th as expected. He will then announce the complete information about the Millennium concerts.
However, due to his recording schedule and commitment to working on his new album his current #1 priority, Michael Jackson may not attend the event after all.
A final confirmation on this is expected by the middle of next week.
19/08/1999 Quote from Texas
Sharleen Spiteri, from Scottish band Texas, mentioned her early influence in music in an interview with Focus magazine.
"The first great musical memory I have, she recalls, is watching the Jackson 5 on TV. I was a kid but I could feel that their music was strong and different."
21/08/1999 New Producer Works with Michael
A new producer is teaming up with the King of Pop.
Hip-hop producer DJ Scratch is bringing his hardcore flavor to one possible track for the new album. He is currently working with Michael Jackson.
DJ Scratch's latest work includes production on EMPD's Out Of Business album and on Busta Rhymes' hit singles "Do The Bus A Bus" and "Party Is Goin' On Over Here".
21/08/1999 New Producer Works with Michael
A new producer is teaming up with the King of Pop.
Hip-hop producer DJ Scratch is bringing his hardcore flavor to one possible track for the new album. He is currently working with Michael Jackson.
DJ Scratch's latest work includes production on EMPD's Out Of Business album and on Busta Rhymes' hit singles "Do The Bus A Bus" and "Party Is Goin' On Over Here".
27/08/1999 Quote from Aaliyah
American R&B singer Aaliyah was recently quoted in Rolling Stone magazine about her favorite album: Thriller.
"I mean, the songs on that album are just ridiculous. Every single song is amazing. It's my favorite album. My parents were really influential in who I was listening to when I was growing up, and that album was playing all the time."
