Blood On The Dance Floor is the first remix album in Michael Jackson's career. Usually these albums are a waste of time as the remixes of songs don't normally measure up to their originals. Remixes serve a purpose for the artists as they get additional airplay in dance clubs and on dance stations and that is fine. If you are out at a club, you're there to dance and the extended versions and thumping beats that are added to songs work. The problem is, the songs get tedious when you're just listening to them. A perfect example on this album is "You Are Not Alone" which is a beautiful ballad, but in this version has a club beat. What saves this album from the rest are the five original songs. After a spotty effort with the new songs on History, the new material included here is top rate. The title track is amazing with its vivid lyrics and "Morphine" is a searing rocker that speaks of the ravagings of drug addiction. The five songs would have been better served being on an EP, but they are worth buying the whole album for.

...Michael is heard here spitting out lyrics like, "I ain't ya maa-maa!" and "Another swine, baby, all down the line, baby, I hate ya kind, baby" and stuff about backstabs, buzzes, drugs, razor blades, dog teeth, heart attacks and other things that can either goosebump or pierce the flesh. There's that gastapo marching beat, there's something which sounds like someones been trying to pull out the bass strings from a piano, and all the guitars (Slash and Michael) sound as if they were remixed thru a heart defibrillator...and Dr. Frankenstein is juicing up the power. The rhythm and the mood gets tenser, fiercer and incessantly more frantic--only so MJJ can refrain, "Trust in me, put all your trust in me--you're doin' Morrrrr-Pheeeene!" This madness is tickled with sound bites from the moovy "The Elephant Man". You gotta love that alone.

But then, there's the Demerol interlude. And Micheal says "Relax, this won't hurt you." and "Oh god, he's taking Demerol" with that cry in his voice just like he had when he sang "She's Outta my Life".

And then the tune rips back to that gastapo beat, the defibrillator guitars and the fleshpiercing vocals. And you just don't know just exactly what's happening or where you are and how you got there, what day it is, and why you feel like you feel. Just like you were kickin'....know what I mean?

I tell you, it is a fabulous cut.

Oh yeah, the tracks "Superfly Sister", "Ghosts" and "2 bad" (Fefugee Remix) are good, too.

As a DJ, I can certainly appreciate this CD. It begins with five new songs, which are actually tracks that didn't make it onto the "HIStory" album, for whatever reasons. The title track is hot with a basic formula and an old school 80's beat. It works by saving itself from mediocracy at literally the last minute. "Morphine" is a classic by any standand. A banger bursting with raw energy and emotion. Michael's anger is felt as he rips verses, over an intense industrial beat, speaking in incoherent sentence-fragments, with the help of the Andrae Crouch Singers on background. What sets this song apart from any other is the break. At about 2:48, the mood changes drastically. The beat is replaced by a peaceful orchestral arrangement (conducted by Jorge Del Barrio) in which Michael actually sings. A song within a song. Beautiful. Then all of a sudden, the listener is smacked back into reality as the first beat returns and in an emotional peak, Michael goes into a tantrum, virtually speaking in tongues. The song really is a drug of uncanny genius. "Superfly Sister" has got to be one of the hottest tracks he's ever made. It's an anti-sex message to girls, but the music suggests otherwise. It's just so funky and smooth. I can see chicks getting wild to this in the clubs. The irony is slick, and at nearly seven minutes long, he has plenty of time to finesse the track, with stylish perks and sleek ad-libs. "Ghosts", co-produced by Teddy Riley, is unique in that it's not especially out of the ordinary, yet with it's incredibly catchy hook and haunting sing-along vibe, it's an unforgettable gem. "Is It Scary", co-produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, is likely the best vocal performance I've ever heard. Based on the same theme as "Ghosts", it addresses the media and anyone who has ever made a mockery or cruel judgement of his name. As he screams out the melodious chorus at the very top of his lungs, even the most vicious hater has to be impressed. It's not only the best song on the album, but maybe the best song he's ever released. It's pure magic. The rest of the album is dance remixes of hits from the "HIStory" album. All are pulled off successfully as club joints, remixed by some of the biggest names on the club scene, including Todd Terry. All in all, I give "Blood On The Dance Floor: HIStory In the Mix" five out of five stars, with extra points for perfect song-sequencing and an interesting album cover. It's not the best Michael Jackson album, and it's not supposed to be. But it does it's job, very well.

Okay,

The new material Jackson offers on this disc is incredible. BOTDF is a great jam about a woman named Susie who Jackson meets, and then backstabs him.

Morphine is simply on of Jacksons greatest acvhievements. He not only plays the guitar and drums on the track, but also did the arranging and orchestrations for it as well. This is Michael at his angriest. One of those songs to listen to after a hard day. The middle eight is particularly creepy talking about drug addiction on multiple levels. Lyrics range from outright violent to surreal (Comfortably Numb).

Superfly sister is the albums groove R&B track. Overall great production and music from Jackson.

Ghosts is another masterpiece. Rather than the ghosts being of the supernatural type Michael instead associates them, with his personal evils (i.e. Media, Tabloids). Fantastic music and lyrics througout.

Is It scary starts with the same lyrics as Ghosts but quickly moves in an entirely different direction. Jackson attacks peoples views of him based on what a monster the tabloids have made him out to be, but, if you seek the truth about him you'll find his true amazing self. Very James Bond type rythem to the music.

The remixes are.... well remixes. I've never enjoyed them. The don't show Jackson's true talent just someone ability to make a dance record out of it, so don't bother with them.

The rest of the album is magic, much like Jackson himself.

Over the years Michael Jackson has made a reputation of being one of the best artists in the music world. Everyone knows he is a perfectionist and strives for the best and ultimate goal. But I can't say that about this album. Yes, the new tracks are good, excellent in some respects. The opener "Blood On The Dance Floor" has a medium paced to fast beat that is catchy btu are not strong as the openers in his other albums. Songs like "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough", Wanna Be Starting Something", "Bad", "Jam" and "Scream" were great openers and really got the listener involved. This track somewhat lacks that quality. Secondly there is "Morphine", which is very innovative. It sleekly blends two different styles of music into one irresistable song. "Superfly Sister" is another poor attempt. The song lacks beat and solely relies on rythm. The lyrics lacks the power that Michael is renowned for. "Ghosts" on the other hand is one of the albums best. The start is splendid and as soon the song gets to its chorus you will be hypnotised by the music in the background and Michael's Lyrics. It is an excellent combination of lyrics, beat and rythm. "Is It Scary" is also a mediocre attempt at a song. It practically lacks all the qualities Michael has established and shown the world he has. Now lets get to the remixes. Michael has made the same mistake he did with HISTORY. He mixed the old with the new. People don't want that. Most Michael fans already have his old CD's. If you want to bring a CD of hits bring it out separately. Anyway lets hope Michael Jackson's highly anticipated comeback album is full of great hits and beats. May it recapture the glory Michael deserves and has had. THE WORLD WILL SEE NEW SINGERS AND PEOPLE BUT TAKE MY WORD NO ONE EVER WILL GO AAOOW! LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON!