An unreleased recording featuring Michael Jackson, D’Angelo and Mary J. Blige could potentially be released as part of plans to explore D’Angelo’s musical archives, more than a decade after the track was reportedly considered for Michael’s posthumous album Xscape.
The possibility emerged following an interview with Luther Archer, D’Angelo’s older brother, who recently confirmed that a posthumous album is in development and revealed that the family is also considering other projects featuring previously unreleased material.
Speaking to Kiss Richmond, Archer explained that six tracks had been identified for the forthcoming album, while a larger vault of unreleased recordings is being reviewed. He also discussed the possibility of future collections of B-sides and cover versions.
Among the recordings he mentioned was a collaboration involving Michael Jackson and Mary J. Blige.
Although no release date, official tracklist or confirmation of the song’s inclusion has been announced, the revelation has renewed interest in a recording that Michael Jackson fans have been discussing since 2014.
The mysterious song connected to Xscape
The recording in question is believed to be a cover of “Hot Fun in the Summertime”, originally released in 1969 by Sly and the Family Stone.
In April 2014, guitarist Jesse Johnson, formerly of The Time, revealed that he had worked on a recording featuring Michael Jackson and D’Angelo, with Mary J. Blige also contributing vocals. The project reportedly involved Questlove on drums, Pino Palladino on bass, Eric Leeds on horns and D’Angelo on keyboards and sitar.
Johnson described the recording as a production led by D’Angelo, with John McClain serving as executive producer.
The announcement generated considerable excitement because it suggested that an unexpected musical collaboration had been created for consideration during the development of Xscape, the posthumous Michael Jackson album released in May 2014.
However, the track did not appear on the final album, which contained eight reworked recordings from Michael’s archives.
At the time, Johnson indicated that the song had been completed, while Epic Records chairman L.A. Reid subsequently explained that the Sly and the Family Stone cover was one of his favourite tracks but had not been completed in time for the album’s release.
The recording therefore remained unreleased.
What did Michael Jackson record?
The origins of the song appear to go back further than the Xscape project itself.
Reports about Michael’s version of “Hot Fun in the Summertime” have linked it to recording sessions dating from the late 1990s and early 2000s, around the period of Invincible. The extent of Michael’s contribution, however, has been described as limited.
This is an important detail. Although the 2014 project reportedly involved additional vocals from D’Angelo and Mary J. Blige, the precise state of Michael’s original recording and the extent to which the track was completed remain unclear.
The song was not included on Xscape, despite the involvement of several respected musicians and the interest it generated before the album’s release.
Its possible appearance on a future D’Angelo project would therefore represent an opportunity for audiences to hear a recording that has remained in the archives for years.
Could it appear on D’Angelo’s posthumous album?
For now, this remains a possibility rather than a confirmed release.
Luther Archer’s comments indicate that D’Angelo’s family is exploring unreleased recordings and considering several potential projects. The Michael Jackson collaboration could fit into those plans, particularly given its connection to D’Angelo’s work as a musician and producer.
However, Archer has not publicly identified the recording by title, and there is no confirmation that “Hot Fun in the Summertime” will appear on the forthcoming album.
There is also no announced release date or official tracklist for the project.
If the recording is eventually released, it would bring together three major artists whose musical paths crossed on a project that never reached the public. It would also offer Michael Jackson fans a chance to hear another previously unreleased recording from his extensive musical archives.
For now, fans will have to wait for further announcements from D’Angelo’s family and the relevant rights holders, including the Michael Jackson Estate, to discover whether this long-discussed collaboration will finally be made available.
Sources
VICE – D’Angelo Estate Slated to Release One Final Album and Teases Michael Jackson Collaboration
AllHipHop – D’Angelo’s Posthumous Album Comes With Unreleased Michael Jackson Collaboration
Kiss Richmond – D’Angelo’s Brother Luther Archer Discusses His Legacy Album
MJVibe – L.A. Reid Does Twitter Q&A
Wikipedia – List of Unreleased Songs Recorded by Michael Jackson
