The Michael Jackson: Remixes and Rarities collection, released in 2009, serves as a comprehensive two-disc tribute to the King of Pop's versatility. It focuses heavily on extended dance mixes and rare radio edits from his peak solo years, particularly the Thriller and Bad eras. Tracklist Highlights
The 2-CD set is structured to move from classic extended club versions to more contemporary, experimental reimagining. Disc 1: The Extended Classics
Billie Jean (Original 12" Version): The definitive long-form version of his signature track.
Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit): A high-energy take on the Bad classic.
The Way You Make Me Feel (Dance Extended Mix): Featuring the full instrumental flourishes that define the song's groove.
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Extended 12" Mix): A nearly 7-minute workout of the Thriller opener. Disc 2: The Modern & Rare Mixes
Beat It 2008 (feat. Fergie): A contemporary update originally released for the Thriller 25 anniversary.
Scream Louder (Flyte Tyme Remix): A heavy-hitting industrial-pop take on the Janet Jackson duet. Michael Jackson Remixes And Rarities -2CD- -2009-
Stranger in Moscow (Tee's Radio Mix): A lighter, more beat-driven version of the haunting ballad.
They Don't Care About Us (Love To Infinity's Walk In The Park Mix): A dancefloor-focused house remix. Critical Reception
The collection received a warm reception from fans, currently holding an average rating of 4.63/5 on Discogs.
Positive Feedback: Listeners often praise the inclusion of "true reimaginings" like the Akon and will.i.am mixes, which many feel offer a fresh perspective without losing the essence of the original vocals.
Mixed Opinions: Some purists argue that the original productions are so iconic that remixes are "unnecessary". Critics from The Delaware Online noted that while some remixes (like Stargate’s "Skywriter") are brilliant, others struggle to improve upon perfection. Key Features
Rarity Focus: The set includes several edits that were previously only available on limited-run 7" or 12" vinyl singles, such as the 7" Single Edit of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You".
Production Pedigree: Features work from legendary remixers and producers including Roger Sanchez, Hani, and Junior Vasquez. ⚠️ Many tracks here were later made obsolete
For a deeper look into the history of Michael Jackson's official remixes and why he occasionally had reservations about them, check out this discussion:
The Michael Jackson – Remixes And Rarities (2009) 2CD set is a fascinating unofficial compilation that serves as a treasure trove for deep-cut collectors and fans of the King of Pop's dancefloor transformations. Released primarily in Russia, this double-disc set spans decades of MJ’s career, blending official 12" versions with rare radio edits and high-profile remixes from the early 2000s. Disc One: The Classics Reimagined
The first disc leans heavily into the "extended" and "dance" versions of Michael's biggest hits, providing the full-length grooves that defined his dominance on the charts.
Extended Mixes: Highlights include the iconic Billie Jean (Original 12" Version) and the Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit).
7" Edits: Includes harder-to-find versions like the I Just Can’t Stop Loving You (7" Single Edit) and Another Part of Me (Extended Dance Mix).
The New Era: It also captures Michael’s later work, such as the Scream (Naughty Radio Edit with Rap) and the You Are Not Alone (Jon B. Main Mix). Disc Two: The Rare & Modern Flavour
Disc Two is where the "Rarities" aspect truly shines, featuring modern collaborations and unique club interpretations that were circulating around 2009. Introduction Released in the wake of Michael Jackson’s
2008 Revamps: Features the official remixes from the Thriller 25 anniversary, including Beat It 2008 (feat. Fergie) and The Girl Is Mine 2008 (Club Mix feat. will.i.am).
Deep House & Underground: Tracks like Black or White (House with Guitar Radio Mix) and the Rock With You (Masters At Work Remix) offer a house-inflected perspective on his legendary soul-pop foundations.
Collectors' Gems: Includes rarer radio experiences like Earth Song (Hani’s Radio Experience) and Stranger in Moscow (Tee’s Radio Mix). Why It Stands Out
Unlike official retrospectives like The Remix Suite (2009), which focused on Motown-era re-imaginings by producers like Akon and The Neptunes, the Remixes And Rarities set is valued for grouping together various 12" vinyl-only versions and niche European edits in one physical package.
If you want to experience the King of Pop’s music live, the MJ Live tribute show at Harrah's Las Vegas recreates the magic of these hits with a live band and dancers. Alternatively, The Orleans Hotel & Casino hosts MJ The Evolution, celebrating his career from the Jackson 5 through his solo peaks. Expand map Kanye, Akon Help Jackson Revisit 'Thriller' - Billboard
| This Bootleg | Official Equivalent | |--------------|----------------------| | Afrojack remixes | Thriller 25 (2008) deluxe edition / Bad 25 (2012) | | Extended 12″ mixes | The Ultimate Collection (2004) box set | | Love To Infinity remix | HIStory Remixes promo CD (1997) | | Demos & instrumentals | Bad 25, This Is It (2009), Xscape (2014) |
⚠️ Many tracks here were later made obsolete by official releases (e.g., Bad 25, Scream (2017), Thriller 40).
Released in the wake of Michael Jackson’s passing in June 2009, Remixes And Rarities is a double-disc compilation that caters to the collector's market. Unlike official posthumous releases (such as Michael or Xscape), this set does not focus on polished, studio-quality "new" songs. Instead, it serves as a historical archive, capturing the evolution of Jackson’s sound through the lens of DJs, extended edits, and hard-to-find B-sides that were previously scattered across vinyl singles and CD singles throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
The second disc shifts tone, offering a mix of album cuts, B-sides, and demo-quality rarities.