you're no different than those who see MJ as a child molester. You offer no compelling proof yet you expect people to side with you just like those who think MJ was a child molester.
I find your comments offensive, hurtful, ignorant and cowardly. Let me explain something to you because you, and others, clearly don't understand. When the controversy surrounding these songs first came from the Jackson family, I was appalled but not surprised at their comments. I thought here we go again, more drama from the Jackson family. Why can't we just enjoy the new music? I hadn't any reason to doubt the story behind the Cascio tracks. We knew that Michael had stayed there at that time and that he had recorded music that had already been released there (WBSS 2008). Also, the Cascio family had been so loyal and so close to Michael for so long, I saw no reason to be concerned. On the day that Breaking News streamed I received a text from my friend who is a big MJ fan, saying that she was so disappointed because the song wasn't Michael. My reaction was that she must have heard that awful Destiny remix that had been put out by Howard Mann. But no, she assured me it was Breaking News. I was still not concerned as I figured that maybe it was just the case that Michael's voice had been autotuned or maybe it was a rough demo etc. Later on that day I finally got the chance to listen. I knew from the 30 second preview that the "aow" at the start had been pasted in, but as Michael was unable to finish the tracks I saw nothing suspicious in that. I was also excited as this song had a similar opening to Tabloid Junkie, which is one of my favourite songs. I should be clear, that at this point in time I was confident in my ability as a fan to recognise Michael's voice. I had been listening to Michael extensively on a daily basis for 17 years - more than half my life. I had seen Michael 19 times, I had had the chance to meet him once. I may not know much in life, but I like to think of myself as an expert when it comes to MJ. I didn't read any comments on the forums because I didn't want any spoilers so I had no idea of the controversy that was erupting in the fan community. I started listening to the song and I was hyped. Then the vocals started. I had to stop the song before the first verse had finished. Clearly something was wrong here. I started the song again. I listened all the way through. I had two problems. I recognised the voice. But it wasn't Michael's voice I recognised. It was a voice that I had known since 2006, when a song called Mamacita had me fooled for a grand total of 2 lines. I had followed Jason, listened to his music. I liked him. Sure, he was a big arrogant to say the least, but I could never understand why fans had such a problem with him. But this was something different.
Looking at the live reactions to the song on forums, I wasn't alone. For example, I sat and read through all the reactions to BN on the King of Pop forum. Like me, other fans were criticising the family in the hours and minutes leading up to the premiere. Then as the hour hit, opinions changed. The very same fans were asking who on earth was singing and Jason Cupeta (Malachi) was identified within 19 minutes. Over the next few days I got to hear Monster and KYHU via various leaks. I thought those songs would sound like Michael and something would come along to "explain everything". Instead, the songs sounded worse. Not the quality, but the vocals. All we got officially was a statement that didn't really explain anything, or back itself up whatsoever, and a cringeworthy appearance on Oprah by Eddie and Teddy who tried to convince us it was Michael by showing a picture of an empty studio and telling us "no one can do a scream like that" (well obviously because the screams are pasted on). As much as I would like to believe them, it was not enough for me.
To suggest that those of us who are concerned about these songs are no better than those who believe MJ is a child molester is not only a very low thing to say but it says a lot about your argument, or lack thereof. You have no proof to backup your belief that the songs are Michael so you resort to insults. In fact, let's have a look at what you do have. There are only two known witnesses to these recording sessions; Eddie Cascio and James Porte (who has never spoken publicly). They are the very same individuals who obviously made a lot of money from these songs by selling them to Sony and also collecting royalties. So we have Eddie Cascio's word. We have a claim by the Estate that vocal analysis was done but no details are given and nothing is shown to back that up. We have some people who heard the songs being played at a listening session and said it was Michael, but this point is kind of mute as there were others in the session who said it wasn't. Not really any different to the fan divide then. Some fans have suggested that some of those who raised concerns such as members of 3T were jealous because their songs were removed from the album in favour of the Cascio tracks. Where is the evidence to support this? What are these songs? This point seems kind of mute when Taryll Jackson, one of the most vocal dissenters, appeared on the album anyway. So what do we have to say it is Michael? The word of the people who sold them.
What do we have to say it is Jason? Each song, and I am counting all 12 here, contains vocal aspects that are not familiar with the voice of Michael Jackson. However, they do seem to match Jason. If there were one small thing in one song maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal. But it isn't. We have:
An unusual and shaky, uncontrolled vibrato that can not be found in any Michael Jackson recording. It is a common trait in every song by JM.
A totally different type of pronounciation - "waiing" "hauniin" etc. Michael never pronounced his words like this. Jason does.
A lack of maturity in the voice.
A lack of grit in the voice.
An accent that doesn't match that of MJ. It matches JM.
A snort sound that the vocalist makes when going from one line to the other. This exact type of snort is not found on any MJ recording. This very same snort is found on JM's recordings.
No explanation has been given by any official entity to explain the reasons for these vocal discrepancies. The only exception to this was when Teddy Riley stated in an interview that the vibrato was caused by speeding up the vocals and using melodyne. However, the vibrato is present on all songs yet he only worked on 3 (BN, Monster, Burn 2Nite). The vibrato still appears on the slower tempo version of Monster.
Other explanations have been given such as "they are demos or guide vocals". Ok but we have many demos of Michael where he still sounds just like himself. The recording equipment has also been blamed. But the vocals on WBSS 08, recorded in the same studio and at the same time, thus presumably on the same equipment sound fine. People have suggested that Michael's voice changed because he was older. Yet his voice doesn't sound anything like that in HMH or TII. And why would his voice get younger with age?
A lack of any MJ trademarks on the lead vocals such as handclaps, finger snaps, footstamps. These are absent from every lead of every track.
Each song seems to be a rip off from previous Mj songs, right down to word for word copied lyrics in some instances (Water). Yes Michael repeated his own themes and ideas in his music, but never so extensively and never so amateurshly.
The extensive use of pasted adlibs and pasted words, despite the large number of takes used. Michael recorded all those takes but couldn't find time to do one single adlib?
A lack of any corroborating evidence that supports Michael's involvement. No notes. No outtakes. No recordings of Michael asking for another take etc.
A reluctance to discuss the issue publicly by Jason and his management except when asked by the media or fan club representatives. It is now over 12 months since Jason removed himself from the public eye as "Jason Malachi". His last public performance was 4 weeks before the premiere of Breaking News.
Jason's own former manager (Tony Kurtis) coming forward and identifying Jason on the tracks. He gained nothing from doing this.
Clear evidence (via Thad Nauden) that the Estate were concerned enough to make contact with Jason to question his involvement several weeks prior to the premiere of BN. Comments from the likes of Taryll and Jackie Jackson indicate that even once the final tracklisting had been selected, there were still great concerns behind the scenes, including concerns held by co-exector John McClain.
The very fact that these songs existence was not revealed until almost a year after MJ's death.
There is also a wealth of info regarding the copyright registrations for these songs, including several registrations that have never been discussed here. I will go into these in a later post due to the length and detail involved.
The reason that those of us have raised so many concerns about these songs is because we love Michael and we want his legacy to be treated with dignity and respect. We don't want this mess. I think we would all gladly be proven wrong. We want these songs to be proven to be Michael. We don't want Michael, his children or his fans to have been betrayed in this way. We have been asking for 15 months for proof. Comparing us, which judging by all the comments on numerous fan forums, is about half the fan community, at least those active online, to ignorant people who choose to believe Michael is a child molester is unbelievably offensive and inappropriate and shouldn't be acceptable on any forum. We all want the best for Michael so rather than attacking us and belittling us, I suggest you either ignore us if you don't agree with us or show something to counter our concerns. People like me can't just "file a lawsuit", at least not in this country, without great financial, emotional and time expense. Something which is not practical when we have our own life, family and work commitments. I have offered what I personally believe is compelling proof which you accused me of not having, along with the many comparisons, only a small number of which are allowed here. I now challenge you to offer equally compelling proof including audio comparisons. If you have nothing to add to this debate other than insults then why are you here? I am talking for all the doubters here, but I made this long post initially because your insult, and yes I take it as a great insult, was aimed at me. It is those kind of comments that have brought divide and destruction in the community so I suggest you stop.
Oooooh right....I guess it's not that easy....I couldn't possibly imagine why...
