Michael Jackson The Ultimate Collection Disc 4 Full Album Better Better May 2026
Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection - Disc 4 Full Album Review
Have you listened to Disc 4? Which hidden gem do you think is better than his number-one singles? Let the debate begin in the comments below.
"Monkey Business"
The track is a standout. A funky, aggressive groove that was left off the final album, it features a gritty vocal performance that rivals his hardest-hitting work like "Smooth Criminal." Similarly, "Someone Put Your Hand Out" —a track that originally appeared as a cassette single promo—is a mid-tempo burner with a soulful edge that feels more organic than much of the heavily synthesized production on the official Dangerous tracklist. Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection - Disc 4
Disc 4
Released in 2004 by Legacy Recordings and Epic, this 4-disc box set was designed to be the final word on Michael’s solo career. While Discs 1-3 rehash the radio edits and album versions of his greatest hits (which you already own), is the secret weapon. It answers the question every superfan asks: What makes this collection "better" than the rest? Tracks 1-3 (The Anger Phase): "Shout," "The Way
The Ultimate Collection was one of the last major projects released while Michael was still alive, making it a definitive statement on his legacy. Disc 4, in particular, proves that even in his later years, his creative output was prolific and his voice remained an unparalleled instrument of emotion. Why it is "Better":
Availability and Copyright Status
- Tracks 1-3 (The Anger Phase): "Shout," "The Way You Love Me," "Someone Put Your Hand Out." This section establishes Michael as an adult artist refusing to be a child star.
- Tracks 4-6 (The Thriller Vault): "In the Back of My Car" and "Beautiful Girl." Here, you hear the remnants of the Victory and Thriller sessions. The bass lines are looser. The production is airy. It sounds better than the sterile, compressed sound of the final Thriller mixes because you can hear the room echo.
- Tracks 7-10 (The Bad Era Demos): This is where the "better" argument solidifies. The demo of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" features a Spanish verse that was later deleted. More importantly, "Cheater" (a funky Bad outtake) is arguably a better groove than half of the songs that actually made the Bad album.
- Tracks 11-15 (The Dangerous & HIStory Sessions): The disc closes with the spoken-word "Monologue" and demos of "They Don't Care About Us." Hearing the acapella version of "Earth Song" on Disc 4, without the orchestra swelling, reveals that Jackson’s voice alone was enough to break your heart.