14 DAY TRIAL // As the Jackson clan allegedly continues to argue over where the body of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, will be laid to rest, reports are pouring in as to what Michael had been doing musically over the last few years of his life. That the star was preparing intensely, more or less forced by concert organizers AEG Live and members of his management, for the 50-date marathon at London’s O2 Arena is already a known fact. Now, Billboard and Michael’s unofficial biographer Ian Halperin are saying that, at the same time, he was also working on new music – especially for his children and millions of fans around the world.
Billboard, for one, has it from very reliable sources that Michael had no less than two brand-new albums in the works, which means that the new tracks should be seeing the light of days in a matter of a couple of months, if not less. According to reports, one album was written and recorded in the vein of his successful ‘80s hits, while the other was an “instrumental classical composition.” Neither was thought as a means of escaping the financial trouble that had been plaguing Michael ever since his career had gone into decline, it is further being said, but rather motivated by the singer’s undying love for his many fans and his three children.
On both materials, Michael worked with Claude Kelly and Akon, Billboard informs. Akon vouches that the singer found motivation, and ultimately inspiration for them in the incredibly warm reception “This Is It” got from fans. “He said, ‘My fans are still there. They still love me. They’re alive.’ His kids are like his first priority, and they had never seen him perform live. He was trying to create the most incredible show for his kids.” Akon reveals for the aforementioned music-oriented publication.
Composer David Michael Frank, who worked with Michael on a 1989 TV tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. and had resumed collaboration with him shortly before his tragic and shocking death, also speaks of several tracks he had in the pipeline. “He had two demos of two pieces he’d written, but they weren’t complete. […] He mentioned more instrumental music of his he wanted to record, including one jazz piece. I hope one day his family will decide to record this music as a tribute and show the world the depth of his artistry.” Franks explains.
At the same time, biographer Ian Halperin says in “Unmasked: The Final Years Of Michael Jackson” (as cited by the Daily Mail) that Michael had no less than 200 unreleased songs completed, which, if true, would clearly amount to more than just two albums. “Jackson’s greatest legacy is his song catalogue. I revealed months ago that he had nearly 200 unreleased songs, which he has left to his children in his will. Profits from one of the new songs will go to starving children. Its producer, according to my source, is an unknown from New York who has a home recording studio. He managed to reach Jackson by email and sent him a demo. Two days later they were in a studio discussing ideas.” Halperin writes. According to him, some of these songs may already be out under fictitious names, because Michael wanted to see how they would fare with the public without his name attached to them (because of the allegations made against him in the past, which have drawn serious criticism in the media).
While none of these reports has yet been confirmed, it is being said that there must be at least some truth to them. A man as passionate about music as Michael was – and as grateful to his fans – could not have spent so many years of his life without working on something new, they say. Until some clarification into this is offered, fans, friends and the world in general still have to learn how to cope with the sudden passing of the King of Pop.