Can Michael Jackson still sing?

The answer, apparently, is yes.

Most of my interest in Michael Jackson has centered on what he may or may not have done with young children – specifically, young boys, some of whom have claimed he sexually molested them.

But sometimes information comes to me that is just too interesting to keep to myself!

Seems the brain trust at Sony-BMG is pulling out all the stops to help its one time mega-star re-enter the pop music scene. The occasion is the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s biggest album ever – one of the music world’s most lucrative successes ever – THRILLER.

From newly recorded tracks with new mixes to a magazine cover campaign to ring tones for your phone! There’s a campaign for personal appearances and a re-launch of the official Michaeljackson.com website. Are you ready for this?

A newly minted digital logo has been created. As a large number 25 slides in from the left hand side the black/white/gray strip reveals a revolving set of flashing phrases: “The biggest album/ of all time/ is about to get even bigger! The 25th anniversary edition coming February 2008!! And if you look closely at in the background of the image (that is sure to be everywhere, simply everywhere soon) you can see a tiny, shadowy figure moon walking across the landscape. It’s quintessential Jackson.

But back to the main point looming behind the hype. Michael Jackson is singing again! Yep, that’s right – according to internal Sony documents I got my hands on the King of Pop did, in fact, get behind a microphone recently in preparation for new cuts on this old classic.

But, as with so much about Michael Jackson the specifics about how much will actually be new is fuzzy.

The internal memo seems very carefully written. Besides the old THRILLER album cuts here’s how they explain the six new bonus tracks:

1. Wanna Be Startin’Somethin’ 2008 – Michael Jackson performs with Akon. This is a NEW TRACK produced by Akon and Michael, Featuring Akon’s vocal and a BRAND NEW 2008 MJ vocal track.

(DD Note: I think the author must mean Jackson recorded it in 2007)

2. P.Y.T. – (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 – Michael with singer will.i.am.

This is not a remix of the original album track; in fact it is a different song, although the chorus is similar. It is written entirely by Michael. It was the original pre-album demo and it is now remixed by MJ and will and features added will.i.am vocals.

(DD Note: Not clear that the “new Jackson” is be heard on this cut)

3. The Girl Is Mine 2008 - Michael with will.i.am

This new version is based on an earlier demo than the MJ and Paul McCartney album classic. This is not a remix of the album track but A WHOLE NEW PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACK… reproduced and mixed anew by MJ and will.i.am and features a will.i.am rap.

(DD Note: Unclear if the previously unreleased track actually features the “new Jackson”

4. Billie Jean 2008 – Remix by Kanye West

A new remix of the mega hit from the original tracks.

(DD Note: Ok, so nothing new from MJ on this one I guess)

5. Beat It 2008 - with Fergie

This new versions is both a remix and a NEW TRACK. Michael’s vocals and most of the instruments are derived from the original sensational album trace. Fergie’s vocal, additional band tracks and the production by will.i.am and MJ are new.

(DD Note: Huh? This reads like they just used MJ’s tracks from the old album, right?

6. For All Time

This beautiful new classic was recorded by Michael in 1982 and never completed or released. He has now completed the song and added to the original production with NEW VOCALS and band tracks. Majestically mixed by Mick Guzawski this newly produced track by MJ is a worth addition and appropriate closer to THRILLER – the biggest selling album of all time – “For All Time”.

(DD Note: So these are all old tracks too I believe)

I hesitate to try to decipher all this Sony gobbledygook but again – there are at least some new Michael Jackson tracks promised and they are sure to be studied and commented upon, criticized or praised, the second the album hits the public domain.

But, that’s not all! Not by a long shot.

“On top of all the fantastic new tracks there are many things in the works that we are going to do to make 2008 truly the year of THRILLER,” according to the SONY-BMG memo traffic. Specifically mentioned: Grammy involvement (as in Michael Jackson will appear – and maybe sing?) – A planned TV special (featuring just Michael or the long discussed reunion with his brothers?) and potential live shows. Hmmmmmm. Wonder what they mean by that and who might be scheduled to perform at these live shows? Watch for involvement with YouTube, Facebook, iLike, iTunes, I’ve learned.

Also on the planning plate: A mid-February BET Honors tribute to Michael Jackson and a major new TV, Radio, Online and Outdoor advertising campaign to launch February 8th. Interesting that no where on this exhaustive SONY planning schedule is there anytime built in for his-King-of-Popness to fulfill that long discussed London appearance that’s been floated or that brotherly reunion tour bro Jermaine keeps dangling.
Phew, I’m exhausted just reporting to you about all this!

Oh, and the Sony documents I have also cryptically say that Sony feels the biggest winner of the album might have nothing much to do with Michael Jackson. It mentions the Akon track on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin 2008” and breathlessly declares, “We feel we have a hit on our hands.”

Not sure Michael Jackson will be too THRILLED with that.