In the modern era of streaming, where algorithms curate playlists and nearly everything is available at the click of a button, physical releases like the Remixes And Rarities 2CD (2009) have actually grown in value and mystique. Due to complex licensing agreements, sample clearances, and estate management, many of the specific remixes and rare tracks featured on this 2009 release are completely absent from platforms like Spotify or Apple Music.
The compilation splits its focus cleanly across two discs. The first disc leans heavily into the definitive 12-inch extended mixes that DJ loops relied on throughout the Thriller and Bad eras. The second disc extends further into deeper club remixes, promotional edits, and alternative vocal takes. Disc 1: The Definitive 12-Inch Mixes
The second disc features a variety of remixes, such as "Scream Louder (Flyte Tyme Remix)," "They Don't Care About Us (Love To Infinity's Walk In The Park Mix)," and "Rock With You (Masters At Work Remix)," along with 2008 versions of "Beat It" and "The Girl Is Mine". Related 2009 Releases Michael Jackson Remixes And Rarities -2CD- -2009-
This article takes a comprehensive look at this compilation, examining its track listing, its physical packaging, and its place in the history of Michael Jackson’s vast and complex discography.
Following Michael Jackson's tragic death on June 25, 2009, a massive wave of tributes and posthumous releases flooded the market. Among these was a 2-CD set titled "Remixes And Rarities," which appeared that same year. According to several collector databases, this compilation was unique in that it was . In the modern era of streaming, where algorithms
For many purists, the inclusion of early demo versions is the highlight of the 2009 compilation. Hearing an early, stripped-back version of a track allows listeners to hear Jackson in his element. Without the layers of glossy studio production, his beatboxing, scratch vocals, and raw emotional delivery take center stage. It reveals his process as a songwriter who arranged complex vocal harmonies entirely by ear. Contextualizing the 2009 Release Window
The Remixes And Rarities -2CD- set arrived to satisfy this hunger. While casual fans gravitated toward standard greatest hits compilations like Number Ones or The Essential Michael Jackson , die-hard audiophiles sought out this specific release. It gathered hard-to-find vinyl b-sides, regional remixes, and promotional tracks that had previously been out of print for decades. Disc 1: Redefining the Dance Floor The first disc leans heavily into the definitive
For casual fans who only know Thriller or Bad , Disc 2 introduces hidden gems that failed to make the final cut of the main albums but still boast immaculate production values.
For fans who want to move past the mainstream hits and experience the rhythmic complexities, global experiments, and extended sonic journeys of the King of Pop, this 2009 double-disc set remains an essential cornerstone of any serious physical music collection.
: Highlights include the iconic Billie Jean (Original 12" Version) and the Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit) .
"Remixes And Rarities" arrived as an answer to that collector’s hunger. Rather than repackaging the same album cuts, this compilation focused on the extended dimensions of Jackson's artistry. It showcased how his music influenced, and was influenced by, the evolution of dance culture from the late 1970s through the 2000s. Disc 1: The Evolution of the Dance Floor