A collection of cassettes and DAT tapes containing unreleased Michael Jackson tracks has been discovered in an abandoned Van Nuys, California storage unit. The tracks, dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, were discovered by former California Highway Patrol officer Gregg Musgrove.
The unit had previously belonged to Bryan Loren, a music producer and songwriter who collaborated with Jackson and whose whereabouts are unknown. The recordings include snippets of conversations between Jackson and Loren, often with Jackson, who passed away in 2009, describing his creative process to the MIA music executive.
The songs are believed to have been recorded prior to the release of Jackson's Dangerous album. "I’ve scoured fan sites, and some of these tracks are rumored to exist while others have never been heard by anyone," Musgrove told Radar Online. “Listening to them gave me goosebumps."
Three of the unreleased tracks are as follows:
- Don’t Believe It, in which Jackson laments media coverage of him.
- Seven Digits, a reference to morgue identification numbers which Jackson explains in his own words on the recording.
- Truth on Youth, a rap duet between Jackson and LL Cool J.
Despite the significance of the find, the tapes have been placed in a secure facility under the care of Musgrove’s attorney. Earlier this year, they were presented to the Jackson estate, but the estate declined to purchase them. A representative for the estate clarified that the recordings found were copies, not master tapes, and that the originals were already preserved in the estate’s vault.
"The ownership and rights of these recordings remain with MJJP Records," the estate’s spokesperson stated. "These DAT copies cannot be commercially exploited or otherwise distributed."
Musgrove, however, believes the collection could fetch a seven-figure sum and is considering taking it to one of the major auction houses. Either way, it's unsure whether the tracks will ever be heard by the public.