bigjim25

From billboard.com:
As expected, Michael Jackson will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his iconic "Thriller" album with a new edition of the set, due Feb. 12 via Epic/Legacy Recordings. It will include remixes by Kanye West, Akon and will.i.am, plus rare and unreleased material from the time period.

West remixes "Billie Jean," while will.i.am has revamped "The Girl Is Mine" and "P.Y.T." The album also features a new version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with both Akon and will.i.am.

Among the unreleased tracks is "For All Time," which was recording during "Thriller" but left on the cutting room floor. Jackson has personally mixed and mastered the song. Also featured is Jackson's original "Billie Jean" demo and the rarities "Someone in the Dark" and "Carousel."

"Thriller" will include a bonus DVD with the "Thriller," "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" videos, plus Jackson's performance of the latter cut during the 1983 NBC special "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever."

Jackson has been working on and off on his first studio album since 2001, but the status of the project is unknown. There have also been whispers of a tour with his brothers in 2008.


Here is the track list for "Thriller -- 25th Anniversary Edition":
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" - 6:03
"Baby Be Mine" - 4:20
"The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney) - 3:42
"Thriller" - 5:58
"Beat It" - 4:18
"Billie Jean" - 4:54
"Human Nature" - 4:06
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" - 3:59
"The Lady in My Life" - 4:59
"Voice-Over Session from "Thriller" - 0:24
"The Girl Is Mine 2008" with will.i.am - 3:11
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008" with will.i.am - 4:17
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" with Akon - 4:11
"Beat It 2008" with Fergie - 4:10
"Billie Jean 2008" Kanye West Remix" - 4:34
"For All Time" - 4:08

These 3 were originally listed as being on the new version but I guess they changed their minds so if you want them you have to buy the SPECIAL EDITION from 2001.
"Carousel"
"Someone in the Dark"
"Billie Jean" (demo)

Looks to be 2 versions, one probably having limited edition artwork and packaging.

MJG87

Too bad the so called 25th includes dumb "2008 remixes" and another rehashed DVD. They should've released the original album and the bonus dvd should've been the Making of Thriller Doc.

Hollowgen

seriously, who the hell wants to listen to "that girl is mine" with that dipshit from the black eyed peas?

give us something relevant from the vaults, or like MJG87 says the making of thriller documentary.

jpdude

GMV for "Making of Thriller" documentary....what marketing "genius" didn't think of that? I'll still buy, but they sure missed the boat as to what to include for such a landmark release.

nothingfails

2008 versions of the old songs with Kanye and will.i.am downgrades the package big time

reubs82

I wish there would just be a re-release with the original album. I was interested until I saw that I'd have to contribute to Kanye West, Akon, and will.i.am. I don't even know who the hell those people are! (well, I do, but if I want to buy Thriller it'll be for the original work and not rehashed stuff).

atlantamoi

Upgrade? Nope. It's amazing that "This Girl Is Mine" was the first single off that album. (holds nose)

Michael Corvin

Yep. I was interested until I saw that nonsense. No sale!

nothingfails

if you didn't know already, there's a decent 2001 reissue/remaster of the album which contains Someone In The Dark, Carousel and Billie Jean (Demo) anyways. And you don't have any Kanye or Akon on that edition either

zombiezilla

1000% agreed.

cdollaz

I thought I read somewhere that, for every album sold, MJ would donate $1 of the sale to NAMBLA.

Drexl

That one also had some interviews with Quincy Jones.

They should have included Richard Cheese's version of The Girl is Mine with

nothingfails

if the Thriller edition sells well, let's hope we don't get some 40th anniversary editions of Beggar's Banquet and The White Album next year featuring brand new remixes of Street Fighting Man with John Mayer and Dear Prudence with Alicia Keys

JasonF

This is a great album and I'd love to own it, but not as long as a single penny from the sale is going into Michael Jackson's pockets. I'll buy it when he's dead.

Rogue588

As long as it's not Kanye or will.i.am.

JP5683

The 2001 version also has a deleted verse of Vincent Price's rap from Thriller.

It was released along with extended versions of Off the Wall and Bad, both with demos, unreleased tracks, and interviews. Great stuff.

UAIOE

I almost forgot what MJ looked like black.

I can remember watching the video for "Billie Jean" when I was little, I also remember being scared of the video for "Thriller".

Bobou2

If they put a 5:1 mix on this I'd would consider purchasing it....

Spiderbite

Exactly. That's the one I have and see no need in upgrading for these silly updates/remixes. This version was just called the "special edition." They did them for Bad, Off the Wall, & Dangerous. They were all given bonus stuff except for Dangerous.

Sonny Corinthos

Billie Jean 2008" with Kanye West? No thanks, I will pass on this one.

rexinnih

First thing I thought also. Guess not.

wm lopez

I would have had they removed the K.West and Akon songs.

hdtv00

Yep no dvd-audio lossless 5.1, no sell. Period

hotsexyboi

OF COURSE! I gotta have this! I have LOVED this album ever since I was a toddler..LMFAO!

Supermallet

The special edition is the one to get. I love the Vincent Price recording.