Rarities -2cd- -2009- ((top)) — Michael Jackson Remixes And

REPORT: MICHAEL JACKSON – REMIXES AND RARITIES (2009)

Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: Analysis of the 2009 2CD Compilation "Remixes and Rarities" Classification: Unofficial Release / Bootleg Analysis Michael Jackson Remixes And Rarities -2CD- -2009-

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Disc Two: The Dangerous Decade and Modern Oddities

Disc two is where the title fully earns its "Rarities" badge. This disc jumps from the Bad tour rehearsals into the New Jack Swing era of Dangerous and the introspective HIStory. REPORT: MICHAEL JACKSON – REMIXES AND RARITIES (2009)

Essential Rarities:

• Sunset Driver (Demo): Long a bootleg favorite, this was eventually officially released later, but in 2009, its presence on a budget CD was a shock. It is a funky, Off The Wall-era outtake that foreshadows Remember the Time.
• Someone Put Your Hand Out: Originally a promotional cassette given away by Pepsi in Europe, this is arguably the best ballad Michael wrote in the early 90s that wasn't on Dangerous. The whispered vocals and synth pads make it a holy grail for fans.
• Who Is It (IHS Mix): This is a controversial pick. The "IHS" (International Hit Squad) mix transforms the melancholic Dangerous cut into a thumping house track. Purists hate it; club kids love it.
• Dangerous (Early Demo/Snippet): Disc two often contains a rough mix of Dangerous without the heavy rap intro by L.T.B. (which was later replaced). It is raw and instructive for songwriting students.

6. Legal and Copyright Context

It is important to note that this 2009 release is not an official product of the Michael Jackson Estate or Sony Music Entertainment. Disc Two: The Dangerous Decade and Modern Oddities

• Copyright Status: The audio recordings are owned by the respective copyright holders (mostly Sony Music). This release was manufactured and distributed without license.
• Post-Mortem Market: Following Jackson's death in June 2009, there was a flood of such releases in Europe and Asia where copyright enforcement on "grey market" goods can be less stringent. This specific title capitalized on the resurgence of public interest immediately following the artist's death.

4. Critical Reception & Collector Value

• Collector Appeal: For years, the official reissue campaigns by Epic Records/Sony Music lagged behind fan demand for extended mixes. This compilation filled a critical void by gathering the "Extended Dance Mixes" of hits like "Thriller" or "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" in one package.
• Packaging: Bootlegs of this era typically feature high-quality artwork, often utilizing famous photography by artists like Dick Zimmerman or cover art derived from the Thriller or Bad sessions, but edited to look like a cohesive new album.
• Legitimacy: As a bootleg, this release does not contribute to official sales charts or the artist's estate royalties. However, it is considered a "high-value" item for collectors due to the convenience of having these scattered tracks compiled onto two discs.