Michael Jackson Producer: Controversial New Songs Underwent 'More Processing'

By Zach Dionne Posted Dec 13th 2010 08:10AM

Michael Jackson Producer: Controversial Posthumous Songs Underwent 'More Processing'

Just days before the first posthumous Michael Jackson album hits, controversy is still raging. A new UK Reuters interview with Teddy Riley, one of the "main producers" on 'Michael,' reveals that the vocal material culled for the album was far from finished.

"I had to do more processing to the voice, which is why people were asking about the authenticity," Riley says. "We had to do what we had to do to make ... his voice work with the actual music."

The album is set for release Dec. 14. Of the batch of recordings used for 'Michael,' Riley, who worked with Jackson before his death, says MJ would "never consider it being a final vocal."

"But because he's not with us he cannot give us new vocals. What we did was utilize the Melodyne (technology) to get him in key," Riley says. "With the Melodyne we actually move the stuff up, which is the reason why some of the vibrato sounds a little off or processed, over-processed. We truly apologize for that happening, but you are still hearing the true Michael Jackson."

Riley worked on three of the ten songs on 'Michael,' including 'Breaking News' and the 50 Cent-featuring 'Monster.'

Of the controversy and negative publicity, Riley targets the unhappy Jackson clan. "Some family members ... didn't totally get the last say so they kind of hate the project. So there you have it, a chain reaction, a domino effect that makes the credibility of 'Michael' go down."

Indeed, Jackson's brother Randy came out swinging on Twitter in mid-November, writing: "I became suspicious about the album, when I heard armed guards were involved since my brother's passing, may he rest in peace. John McClain [executor of MJ's estate along with John Branca] insisted that no family members were allowed at his studio where the project was being completed. My first thought was, what are they trying to hide?"

Riley insists no matter how the songs sound, they are Michael, and he will stand by the first album since the King of Pop's death. "I am here to protect that, because I know it's him, I know it's great material, I know that it needs to be out," Riley says. "I know that the legacy needs to continue because he's such a great person, and there's more to come."

The producer says he would "definitely" be a part of future Jackson albums if offered the opportunity. A reported $250 million deal between Sony and the executors of MJ's estate looks to put out 10 albums by 2017.

Tags: Michael Jackson

Comments

(19)

Monday 13 December

By travnash100

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What a shame that they can't just let the King of Pop go down in history and be remembered as one of the 20th century's greatest entertainers, albeit a very troubled man. All in the name of greed and money are they going to push to release material that MJ himself would have never approved of the going to market.

By KR

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The two songs I've heard are dated and boring. This 'producer' and his equally money-hungry family think they're doing the world a favor by releasing sub-standard material but they've actually forsaken their 'good friend's' reputation in the long run. His last album of new songs was pretty much a dud but at least he had control over it's fate.

By BTDT

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"I had to do more processing to the voice, which is why people were asking about the authenticity,"

Bull....oney. If his family says it isn't him, it isn't him.

By teebosss

teddy riley will stand by the project only because theres money in it for him,so of course hes going to protect his investment. he really doesnt care about mj`s legacy at all. I mean really,when was the last time you heard anything from teddy riley,other than the time he went broke. he needs money and will stoop to the lowest of lows to get it.

By dave

the man is dead and people are still suckling at the proverbial teet. enougth already; let the man rest in peace. It was bad enough when he was alive and his parents (esp'ly his father)were like leeches gorging themselves on someone else's life blood. If anything, the children should reap the benefits of this album.

By Richard Ott

10 Michael Jackson albums by 2017. Do you hear that,
Michael Jackson Estate nay-sayers? You can't stop it!
Michael Jackson's musical legacy lives on through his
death. You can take the pop star out of the legacy,
but you can never take the legacy out of the pop star.
Long live The King Of Pop now and forever, Michael Jackson!

By Shayna

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10 more albums of what?! He is DEAD, do people not understand that? He died over a year ago, let him rest in peace. Give him the dignity and respect that all human beings deserve, and let him rest. Instead of inflicking more pain and scrutiny on his family and his children and releasing "new" Michael Jackson albums. He never finished the vocals, so in all truth and reality the songs are not finished and should not be released. It shouldn't be considered Michael's voice seeing as all the changes the producer did to his vocals. And, seriously 10 more albums? There isn't anymore new material for new albums. This is stupid and sooo old.

Saturday 01 January

By moeshaac

Michael recorded and finished 100's of songs, never included on past albums. Why is Sony scraping the barrell of unfinished songs? How can Sony plan 10 more albums if they didn't have anymore songs? Something is fishy? Are they trying to destroy MJ's musical legacy and make his CD fail on purpose?

By Seth

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Even dead he's still just resting on the laurels of music put out 25+ years ago. Be gone with the whole mess.

By Simon

I refuse to give this hideous child abuser a normal name. So Jacko is his name!

He got off with his crimes as most normal people know. Only gulible Jacko fans persist with thinking he was innocent.

I hope he died in great pain for his crimes.

By B

IDIOT

By Sheesh

Whatever Simon...No Jackson fans are going to lose any sleep over your opinion.

Wednesday 15 December

By Tell It Like It Is

Simon, your name is Jerko, because no one "got off" with anything. What part of trial by jury, evidence which supports innocence, and "victims" STATING nothing done to them don't you understand? Talk about gullible, LOL! May you die in great pain for being so ignorant. KOP was, is, and will ALWAYS be loved. And terribly missed. By millions.

By Vinnie Barrett

If the Catholic Church forgives all thier so called priests and fathers for the sins of thousands of children, I do believe the Lord God forgives Michael, and then again, nobody has ever proved he did those things.
A lot of those boys parents urged the boys so they could go for Micheal's bank account.
Anyway, forgive and move on.
Hypocrites cry the loudest...shame !!

Idiot was directed to simon

Album sounds OK, obviously not as fine tuned if Michael were here :( Also obvious, as one of greatest Icons, money will never cease to be made. Sony signed contract with ESTATE, so portion of profits MUST go to Michael's children. Seth, NOTHING Michael was, is, or will ever be "mess". GREATEST ever. Don't like him/ music, your opinion. Historically, he is great. Legacy will live, so what you term "mess" NEVER ending. We know Sony is greedy, and will exploit Michael for their benefit. I only pray all who hurt KOP during his lifetime, will get what God has in store for them. Love you Michael, R.I.P. Strength Jackson family, love you.

By Zerdali13

10 MORE albums of this unfinished, over-produced drek product!? This statement literally made me feel so ill and so sad. Poor Michael, I'm sure he is not only turning in his grave he's having out right convulsions. :(

Friday 24 December

By MJluv4life

Im sure MJ wouldn't be happy with the finished songs, but you can't deny, it is refreshing to hear his beautiful voice in a way we've never heard before

By Moeshaac

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