![Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon [2025 Restoration] @queenliverarities](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9SpRdnn-OvA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
We're back with the full installment of the 2025 Restoration project for Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' album ð It's unlike me to fast-track something like this, but in response to the dissatisfying reviews for the brand-new Mo-fi/MFSL release from just over a week ago, I felt an extreme sense of urgency to right those wrongs for folks who invested their hard-earned money into the SACD and LP.
To anyone who may be here for the first time, welcome! The intention of this project is to find the album's best digital source(s), undo any & all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended it to sound!
Using the very same sources as the new SACD for the base, it's been gratifying to discover just how great they really are to work with ð In terms of dynamics, certain tracks are a big step up to what we had previously. And upon reverting the mastering to how the original CD and LPs were presented, the result is pure bliss ð
Working closely on each track individually was a necessity here, as the EQ balance and normalization on each channel varied in a multitude of ways. Additionally, the overall speed for each track was adjusted slightly, edging them closer to the original CD. Some (mostly) minor volume fluctuations during some tracks were present, so these instances were also addressed. Safe to assume most of these differences were simply due to the fresh analogue sources...
One of the major drawbacks I discovered with these new sources, the spacing between the tracks (which is usually 100% faithful with Mofi/MFSL releases) was way off on this one. They were all positioned much closer together, and wee bits of tape at the beginning and end of each track were trimmed shorter as a result. With some careful and seamless merging via the original CD, this has been corrected. Each track now flows along exactly as they're supposed to ð Additionally, I still deemed the original CD as the superior source for the full intro of 'Will You Be There' ð
I'm extremely grateful towards Mofi for releases like these. While their mastering choices can be divisive at times, they're non-destructive and the sources themselves are usually top notch ð For those who feel as though they didn't get their money's worth with the new release, I sincerely hope this 2025 Restoration is more along the lines of what you were clamoring for ð
Check out the other MJ albums apart of the Restoration project ðâŽ
Thriller - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLu-EQLp8hCCAtvka1rODGuu
Invincible - youtu.be/CeFle3bHlAQ
Off The Wall - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLtUdnaFqs_rTyaZU25RlM_M
We're back with the full installment of the 2025 Restoration project for Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' album ð It's unlike me to fast-track something like this, but in response to the dissatisfying reviews for the brand-new Mo-fi/MFSL release from just over a week ago, I felt an extreme sense of urgency to right those wrongs for folks who invested their hard-earned money into the SACD and LP.
To anyone who may be here for the first time, welcome! The intention of this project is to find the album's best digital source(s), undo any & all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended it to sound!
Using the very same sources as the new SACD for the base, it's been gratifying to discover just how great they really are to work with ð In terms of dynamics, certain tracks are a big step up to what we had previously. And upon reverting the mastering to how the original CD and LPs were presented, the result is pure bliss ð
Working closely on each track individually was a necessity here, as the EQ balance and normalization on each channel varied in a multitude of ways. Additionally, the overall speed for each track was adjusted slightly, edging them closer to the original CD. Some (mostly) minor volume fluctuations during some tracks were present, so these instances were also addressed. Safe to assume most of these differences were simply due to the fresh analogue sources...
One of the major drawbacks I discovered with these new sources, the spacing between the tracks (which is usually 100% faithful with Mofi/MFSL releases) was way off on this one. They were all positioned much closer together, and wee bits of tape at the beginning and end of each track were trimmed shorter as a result. With some careful and seamless merging via the original CD, this has been corrected. Each track now flows along exactly as they're supposed to ð Additionally, I still deemed the original CD as the superior source for the full intro of 'Will You Be There' ð
I'm extremely grateful towards Mofi for releases like these. While their mastering choices can be divisive at times, they're non-destructive and the sources themselves are usually top notch ð For those who feel as though they didn't get their money's worth with the new release, I sincerely hope this 2025 Restoration is more along the lines of what you were clamoring for ð
Check out the other MJ albums apart of the Restoration project ðâŽ
Thriller - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLu-EQLp8hCCAtvka1rODGuu
Invincible - youtu.be/CeFle3bHlAQ
Off The Wall - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLtUdnaFqs_rTyaZU25RlM_M
![Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon [2025 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9SpRdnn-OvA/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon [2025 Restoration]
Were back with the full installment of the 2025 Restoration project for Michael Jacksons Dangerous album ð Its unlike me to fast-track something like this, but in response to the dissatisfying reviews for the brand-new Mo-fi/MFSL release from just over a week ago, I felt an extreme sense of urgency to right those wrongs for folks who invested their hard-earned money into the SACD and LP.
To anyone who may be here for the first time, welcome! The intention of this project is to find the albums best digital source(s), undo any & all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended it to sound!
Using the very same sources as the new SACD for the base, its been gratifying to discover just how great they really are to work with ð In terms of dynamics, certain tracks are a big step up to what we had previously. And upon reverting the mastering to how the original CD and LPs were presented, the result is pure bliss ð
Working closely on each track individually was a necessity here, as the EQ balance and normalization on each channel varied in a multitude of ways. Additionally, the overall speed for each track was adjusted slightly, edging them closer to the original CD. Some (mostly) minor volume fluctuations during some tracks were present, so these instances were also addressed. Safe to assume most of these differences were simply due to the fresh analogue sources...
One of the major drawbacks I discovered with these new sources, the spacing between the tracks (which is usually 100% faithful with Mofi/MFSL releases) was way off on this one. They were all positioned much closer together, and wee bits of tape at the beginning and end of each track were trimmed shorter as a result. With some careful and seamless merging via the original CD, this has been corrected. Each track now flows along exactly as theyre supposed to ð Additionally, I still deemed the original CD as the superior source for the full intro of Will You Be There ð
Im extremely grateful towards Mofi for releases like these. While their mastering choices can be divisive at times, theyre non-destructive and the sources themselves are usually top notch ð For those who feel as though they didnt get their moneys worth with the new release, I sincerely hope this 2025 Restoration is more along the lines of what you were clamoring for ð
Check out the other MJ albums apart of the Restoration project ðâŽ
Thriller - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLu-EQLp8hCCAtvka1rODGuu
Invincible - https://youtu.be/CeFle3bHlAQ
Off The Wall - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLtUdnaFqs_rTyaZU25RlM_M")
![Michael Jackson - Morphine [2025 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9seOwmWLM5Y/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Jackson - Morphine [2025 Restoration]
Our final installment of the 2025 MJ Restoration project is here, just in time ð Michaels 2nd to last studio album he ever completed, although some could argue its more of an EP with 5 new tracks, + 8 remixes. Whatever the case, no project involving the King Of Pops discography is complete without this one!
To anyone who may be here for the first time, welcome! The intention of this project is to find the albums best digital source(s), undo any & all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended it to sound!
The base source for the restoration was (of course) the original CD release from 1997. The CD itself sounds fine on its own! It did have its drawbacks though. By the late 90s, brick-walling the dynamics to achieve a louder sound was an industry standard. In addition, a certain style of EQ was becoming more fashionable again. Known in some circles as smiley-faced EQ, and what I observe to be more of a low-end and high-mids boost. Everyone has their own opinions on this, but to me, I feel it tends to suck the life out of the music.
The original vinyl release of Blood On The Dance Floor had a more natural approach to the mastering, without the same hinderances the CD was subjected to. The result is much more in line with what weve come to know with MJs other 90s releases ð Ive modelled the 2025 Restoration to sound as close to this as possible. The dynamics were able to be revived for the most part, but have still fallen short in some areas compared to the LP (predominantly the remixes). Bringing the EQ over really makes all the difference though ð
One other glaring difference with the vinyl release compared to all others is a couple alterations in the track-listing. The remixes for This Time Around and You Are Not Alone actually feature different versions! This Time Around has the full mix which runs 6 minutes longer than the common radio mix, and You Are Not Alone is a shorter edit, paced a lot more similarly to the album version. The 2025 Restoration track-listing has been altered to reflect these differences, and the discarded remixes can still be found as extra tracks ð
Ive decided not to make all the remixes public on YouTube, as they may not be everyones cup of tea, but they can still be found in the full album playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLsq9YAxSiy7BWj-i7RXZ0dY
Check out the other MJ albums apart of the Restoration project ðâŽ
Thriller - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLu-EQLp8hCCAtvka1rODGuu
Invincible - https://youtu.be/CeFle3bHlAQ
Dangerous - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLsXHde0dY2Qp6nh4xQ5WOGX")
![Queen - 39 [2024 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A0kgveA_B7M/mqdefault.jpg "Queen - 39 [2024 Restoration]
A Night At The Opera is now 49 years old ðąðĶĒ Ive been immensely excited to share this installment with you! Its one of the rare occasions where 3 different editions are on offer, simply because were spoiled for choice when it comes to the amount of great-sounding releases the albums had over the years.
Despite the amount of awesome releases, every single digital version has left plenty to be desired in the high end. A problem most vintage pressings never had. I feel like a broken record saying this, but if your ears have never been graced with one of the LPs replicated for the restoration, this may very well offer a new experience for you ð Youll find the album was recorded quite a bit better than digital copies make it out to be...
I urge you to check out the comparisons video below which covers each edition in depth, but the one featured in these uploads is the DCC (vinyl) edition!
https://youtu.be/zfgkTPPIayQ
DOWNLOAD FOLDER:
linktr.ee/qlrvault
Full album YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLs4lG5hkTFuZ8AHo-7xTwRX
The 2024/25 Restoration Collection:
Sheer Heart Attack - https://youtu.be/YWuGgZHHvII
Innuendo - https://youtu.be/iF537EjjzcM
The Works - https://youtu.be/iiq9A1XseL4
Queen II - https://youtu.be/K1mFRRLRy_c
Hot Space - https://youtu.be/7AuAEfxuuV8
A Kind Of Magic - https://youtu.be/0wnsVmHaWnE
The Game - https://youtu.be/5hCZ4xylu_4
Queen - https://youtu.be/JHy1XXVdkWM
Jazz - https://youtu.be/KZca62jaJBU
News Of The World - https://youtu.be/psxYh1Ne5J4
âķ A Night At The Opera
A Day At The Races - https://youtu.be/OyNTCm0VPPM
The Miracle - https://youtu.be/SVPwF7H2eyg
Flash Gordon - https://youtu.be/fonQaYLQbNc
Made In Heaven - https://youtu.be/XnpWAvblUc4")
![Michael Jackson - The Lady In My Life [2024 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A5Lz4w4BwxE/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Jackson - The Lady In My Life [2024 Restoration]
Thanks to your votes in the community tab, the 2024 Restoration project is no longer exclusive to Queen! Happy 42nd anniversary to none other than the biggest selling album in the history of the world, THRILLER ðĶð§ââïļ
To any MJ fans who may be here for the first time, WELCOME! The intention of this project is to find the albums best digital source(s), undo all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended to sound! In this case, the USA 1st LP release was our measuring stick, which to this day is still considered by many to be the best-sounding version of Thriller.
No comparisons video this time around sadly! Sharing this installment was a very last minute decision, but the differences shouldnt be too difficult to detect vs existing digital versions of the album. Im sure we all have our preferred ways of listening to this one already ð If anyones unfamiliar on what the project entails, Id recommend checking out one of the comparisons Ive done for Queen to give you a more in-depth look on the process...
Now, a huge hinderance on most digital releases is severely-squashed dynamics. I set out to find the most reversible source to work with, and theres really only a small handful of options I could find without these issues. The original 1983 CD wouldve been a good option, but that release wasnt sourced directly from the masters. To maximize the cleanliness of the sound, I deemed the recent MFSL SACD from 2022 to be our best option here. The fade-ins/outs for each track were already perfect, and any other volume fluctuations between this release and the original were fairly minimal, therefore pretty easy to adjust.
The main component requiring attention was obviously the EQ. It varied between songs, so I couldnt just do an overall adjustment to the whole album in this case. Either way, tending to each track individually to match them up with the LP wasnt a huge hassle in the end. The MFSL source was a real treat to work with, as they made a conscious effort to keep most elements as pure as possible. After the EQ was taken are of, were already done!
To conclude, none of the Michael Jackson albums released in his lifetime are in as desperate need of a digital restoration as Queen (for example). Each of his albums seems to have at least one decent digital version out there! I think Bernie Grundman did a great job remastering this album in 2001 (he mastered the original LP also)! But its the aforementioned brick-walled dynamics holding it back, something which was likely beyond his control. This 2024 Restoration rights those wrongs, and gives Bernies work the justice it deserves! Really excited to be able to bring that same glorious USA vinyl sound over to digital for everyone else to enjoy ð
The Queen 2024/25 Restoration Collection:
Sheer Heart Attack - https://youtu.be/YWuGgZHHvII
Innuendo - https://youtu.be/iF537EjjzcM
The Works - https://youtu.be/iiq9A1XseL4
Queen II - https://youtu.be/K1mFRRLRy_c
Hot Space - https://youtu.be/7AuAEfxuuV8
A Kind Of Magic - https://youtu.be/0wnsVmHaWnE
The Game - https://youtu.be/5hCZ4xylu_4
Queen - https://youtu.be/JHy1XXVdkWM
Jazz - https://youtu.be/KZca62jaJBU
News Of The World - https://youtu.be/psxYh1Ne5J4
A Night At The Opera - https://youtu.be/zfgkTPPIayQ
A Day At The Races - https://youtu.be/OyNTCm0VPPM
The Miracle - https://youtu.be/SVPwF7H2eyg
Flash Gordon - https://youtu.be/fonQaYLQbNc
Made In Heaven - https://youtu.be/XnpWAvblUc4")
![Michael Jackson - You Are My Life [2025 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ABxcXp4AwbM/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Jackson - You Are My Life [2025 Restoration]
The 2025 Restoration project lives on!!! This is only our 2nd installment to feature a Michael Jackson album, following on from Thriller last year: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLu-EQLp8hCCAtvka1rODGuu
To anyone who may be here for the first time, welcome! The intention of this project is to find the albums best digital source(s), undo any & all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended it to sound!
With the Invincible album, its without question that the original CD release had its drawbacks (soundwise). Issues which directly reflect the time period the album was conceived. And more importantly, issues which tend to hamper our overall experience with this album.
The digital mastering techniques implemented during the late 90s into the early 00s were often very harmful to the music. Excessive brick-walling, unnecessary noise reduction and odd EQ choices intended to suit car stereos and such. Unfortunately, this album was a victim of most, if not all of these traits.
However, the vinyl releases (ignoring the 2018 picture disc) werent restricted to such standards, resulting in a much more pleasurable listening experience overall! Using techniques outlined in the COMPARISON VIDEO (https://youtu.be/CeFle3bHlAQ), Ive set out to bring those positive traits over to the existing digital version for an even cleaner sound ð
The RESULT? Everything sounds much more MJ-like ð Weve uncovered details that went practically unheard on the original! Overflowing with soul and life, it no longer feels separate from everything else hes released ð If youre one of those whove been unimpressed with Invincible based on the existing versions, you NEED to hear it in this state!!! And if youre already a fan of Invincible, you still NEED to hear it in this state!!! ðĨ
To me, THIS form of the album feels more like a continuation of the vision they had for Dangerous, with the benefit of the more modern and mature influences 10 years on. If you listen to the original 1991 CD pressing of Dangerous (which has a similar sonic balance) and then the 2025 Restoration of Invincible, Im sure youll see what I mean...
Full album YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLtznCouj9EJhyoAWXp37WYI
The Queen 2024/25 Restoration Collection:
Sheer Heart Attack - https://youtu.be/YWuGgZHHvII
Innuendo - https://youtu.be/iF537EjjzcM
The Works - https://youtu.be/iiq9A1XseL4
Queen II - https://youtu.be/K1mFRRLRy_c
Hot Space - https://youtu.be/7AuAEfxuuV8
A Kind Of Magic - https://youtu.be/0wnsVmHaWnE
The Game - https://youtu.be/5hCZ4xylu_4
Queen - https://youtu.be/JHy1XXVdkWM
Jazz - https://youtu.be/KZca62jaJBU
News Of The World - https://youtu.be/psxYh1Ne5J4
A Night At The Opera - https://youtu.be/zfgkTPPIayQ
A Day At The Races - https://youtu.be/OyNTCm0VPPM
The Miracle - https://youtu.be/SVPwF7H2eyg
Flash Gordon - https://youtu.be/fonQaYLQbNc
Made In Heaven - https://youtu.be/XnpWAvblUc4")
![Michael Jackson - Butterflies [2025 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ARilmvTmchI/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Jackson - Butterflies [2025 Restoration]
The 2025 Restoration project lives on!!! This is only our 2nd installment to feature a Michael Jackson album, following on from Thriller last year: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLu-EQLp8hCCAtvka1rODGuu
To anyone who may be here for the first time, welcome! The intention of this project is to find the albums best digital source(s), undo any & all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended it to sound!
With the Invincible album, its without question that the original CD release had its drawbacks (soundwise). Issues which directly reflect the time period the album was conceived. And more importantly, issues which tend to hamper our overall experience with this album.
The digital mastering techniques implemented during the late 90s into the early 00s were often very harmful to the music. Excessive brick-walling, unnecessary noise reduction and odd EQ choices intended to suit car stereos and such. Unfortunately, this album was a victim of most, if not all of these traits.
However, the vinyl releases (ignoring the 2018 picture disc) werent restricted to such standards, resulting in a much more pleasurable listening experience overall! Using techniques outlined in the COMPARISON VIDEO (https://youtu.be/CeFle3bHlAQ), Ive set out to bring those positive traits over to the existing digital version for an even cleaner sound ð
The RESULT? Everything sounds much more MJ-like ð Weve uncovered details that went practically unheard on the original! Overflowing with soul and life, it no longer feels separate from everything else hes released ð If youre one of those whove been unimpressed with Invincible based on the existing versions, you NEED to hear it in this state!!! And if youre already a fan of Invincible, you still NEED to hear it in this state!!! ðĨ
To me, THIS form of the album feels more like a continuation of the vision they had for Dangerous, with the benefit of the more modern and mature influences 10 years on. If you listen to the original 1991 CD pressing of Dangerous (which has a similar sonic balance) and then the 2025 Restoration of Invincible, Im sure youll see what I mean...
Full album YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLtznCouj9EJhyoAWXp37WYI
The Queen 2024/25 Restoration Collection:
Sheer Heart Attack - https://youtu.be/YWuGgZHHvII
Innuendo - https://youtu.be/iF537EjjzcM
The Works - https://youtu.be/iiq9A1XseL4
Queen II - https://youtu.be/K1mFRRLRy_c
Hot Space - https://youtu.be/7AuAEfxuuV8
A Kind Of Magic - https://youtu.be/0wnsVmHaWnE
The Game - https://youtu.be/5hCZ4xylu_4
Queen - https://youtu.be/JHy1XXVdkWM
Jazz - https://youtu.be/KZca62jaJBU
News Of The World - https://youtu.be/psxYh1Ne5J4
A Night At The Opera - https://youtu.be/zfgkTPPIayQ
A Day At The Races - https://youtu.be/OyNTCm0VPPM
The Miracle - https://youtu.be/SVPwF7H2eyg
Flash Gordon - https://youtu.be/fonQaYLQbNc
Made In Heaven - https://youtu.be/XnpWAvblUc4")
![Queen - Seven Seas Of Rhye... [2024 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AkS9ECHmULM/mqdefault.jpg "Queen - Seven Seas Of Rhye... [2024 Restoration]
We made it to the anniversary!!! ðĨģ Welcome back to the 2024 Restoration project, and Happy 51st to Queens first album ð
Theres a lot to cover regarding this installment, so head over to the comparisons vid if youd like to know everything that went into this one:
https://youtu.be/JHy1XXVdkWM
But for right now, if you caught our Restorations for Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack, your expectations for this one are likely sky high! I better let you know ahead of time that, given the limitations of the mixes and such, the improvements for this album are no where near as drastic Im afraid ðĪ·ââïļ This in addition to the fact that the existing releases were already not too shabby. The original UK vinyl release wasnt plagued with compression like the entirety of Queen II and parts of SHA, so this will be a much more honest reflection of how that original release sounded (which is the point of the project anyway)! BUT, regardless, thanks to the fresher transfers, certain parts of tracks without a doubt sound slightly cleaner on the 2024 Restoration ð
DOWNLOAD FOLDER:
linktr.ee/qlrvault
Full album YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLsUz05BgBFiW2s9Np3nsAF7
The 2024/25 Restoration Collection:
Sheer Heart Attack - https://youtu.be/YWuGgZHHvII
Innuendo - https://youtu.be/iF537EjjzcM
The Works - https://youtu.be/iiq9A1XseL4
Queen II - https://youtu.be/K1mFRRLRy_c
Hot Space - https://youtu.be/7AuAEfxuuV8
A Kind Of Magic - https://youtu.be/0wnsVmHaWnE
The Game - https://youtu.be/5hCZ4xylu_4
âķ Queen
Jazz - https://youtu.be/KZca62jaJBU
News Of The World - https://youtu.be/psxYh1Ne5J4
A Night At The Opera - https://youtu.be/zfgkTPPIayQ
A Day At The Races - https://youtu.be/OyNTCm0VPPM
The Miracle - https://youtu.be/SVPwF7H2eyg
Flash Gordon - https://youtu.be/fonQaYLQbNc
Made In Heaven - https://youtu.be/XnpWAvblUc4")
![Queen - Headlong (Full Version) [2025 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BGKivqZjmmg/mqdefault.jpg "Queen - Headlong (Full Version) [2025 Restoration]
This complete version of the early Headlong mix is something Ive been working on in the background for over a year, and finally, weve landed on a satisfactory result ðĪĐ I was hoping to share this alongside the official music video, but its now being automatically blocked on YouTube so well have to settle for this instead.
For those who dont know the backstory, an earlier mix of Headlong exists (different from the common version on CDs/streaming). I can only assume it was to accommodate the music video which was filmed months in advance. This mix also featured on the single edit and early Innuendo LP releases. The differences to the later mix arent all that drastic, but I definitely like the early one more. The drums are a little more distinguishable and the track sounds less murky.
Digitally, only the single edit was available to work with (via Greatest Hits II)... or so I thought! I found out very recently (thanks to user @k1990s) that the 2004 Japan remaster of Innuendo actually features this mix too, except without the edits! I never made that distinction before, due to how differently the 2004 CD was EQed.
Now, the single edit is still by far the better base for this restoration, as its not hindered by brick-walling and/or compression, but the 2004 CD still came in clutch for restoring the edits in the middle and towards the end of the song. Of course, I didnt just paste these back in willy-nilly. I made sure the EQ was an identical match and repaired any discrepancies in volume beforehand.
Up until that recent revelation, Id been using the HiFi VHS of Greatest Flix II to patch in those edits, as its the only other lossless version of this mix out there. BUT, this source still came in handy for the extra guitar riff around the 1:00 mark, which doesnt currently appear anywhere else besides the music video â Blending this source in seamlessly was a bit more of a challenge, as analog and digital presents different sets of characteristics. Again, EQ and speeds had to match perfectly in order for this to work. The high end rolled off rather early on the VHS source, but thankfully, it was fully recoverable ð
The final result is something Im extremely happy with. Its the first time this complete early mix of Headlong ever appears on digital formats in high, lossless quality. Hope you enjoy...
ðĻ IN OTHER NEWS: Updates/upgrades on the entire 2024/25 Restoration Project have been in the works since February, and are live in the folder right now at the bottom of linktr.ee/qlrvault (clickable link can be found in the comments)!!
Whats been updated? Well, the Complete Works inspired high-end enhancements on all the 70s and early 80s albums are great and all, but my claim from the beginning was to bring the albums back as faithfully as possible to their original state - the way the band intended them to sound. In a way, Ive been contradicting myself by only offering the enhanced versions for those albums. New editions have now been rolled out, which finally live up to the moniker ð
Theres multiple benefits to having both the enhanced and original editions on offer. If you really like to crank your music, the restored high-end may not be the favorable option. Or simply, your particular system may suit a particular sound ðĪ·ââïļ
How to tell which edition is which? Basically, if you see any albums labelled 2025 as opposed to 2024, theyre brand-new updates. Ive also re-structured the folders slightly to reflect the changes. The pre-existing enhanced installments are now labelled on the folders to reflect that, which further helps differentiate them from the new non-enhanced (aka 100% based on the original vinyl) editions ð
High-end aside, my skills have advanced considerably since the beginning of the project. Ive been able to go back and implement many, many further refinements to almost all of the albums, driving the point across that these restorations are now TRULY 1:1 with the vinyls theyve been modelled after. Some albums were almost completely redone from the ground up! A lot of the differences are subtle to the point where you likely wont find them all, but I was determined to eliminate any and all doubt that Ive gotten the absolute most I could out of my evolved skill-set ðŠð
Revisiting all 15 albums has been a hell of a lot of work, not gonna lie! But I knew if I were to undertake this project once again, it had to be all or nothing. That way, Im not compelled to come back in for further tweaks down the line ð
Thats not to rule out the possibility of new things from being added in the future though. Its about time I sit back and start enjoying the music as a fan again. Its been roughly 3 years since thats been the case!
An even more detailed breakdown of each albums changes/upgrades can be found on our latest YouTube post ð Enjoy...")
![Michael Jackson - Shes Out Of My Life [2025 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BJO0aJ0osKg/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Jackson - Shes Out Of My Life [2025 Restoration]
Teased this one all the way back in June during the unveiling of the Invincible restoration! It did take a brief backseat as the urgency to restore Dangerous came about (following the MOFI release), but the wait should HOPEFULLY be worth it here ðĪ
To anyone who may be here for the first time, welcome! The intention of this project is to find the albums best digital source(s), undo any & all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended it to sound!
As far as sound-quality is concerned, this is probably my favourite MJ album of the bunch! Just a sonic masterclass ð Still leaves me in awe just how pristine everything sounds. It outshines all modern music in that regard if you ask me.
Off The Wall has had some really solid digital releases overall. The standouts being the initial 1983 CD, and the more recent MOFI SACD. The former was relatively faithful to the original vinyl releases, just with inferior EQ. If the latter included the original mixes for Rock With You and Get On The Floor, I mightve considered it my go-to version, but the remixes disrupt the flow too much for my taste.
Id previously completed a (unreleased) restoration for this album using solely the 1983 CD as the base. That CD was sourced from 1st gen production tapes (used for cutting the vinyls), but the important thing was the dynamics which were completely intact. However, the recent MOFI release changes everything! For the first time ever, these tracks came straight from the master-tapes, and STILL retain their dynamics ðĨ
I didnt quite anticipate the level of improvement from the MOFI-sourced tracks ðĪŊ Ever so slightly cleaner as expected, but the difference in stereo separation was especially impressive ð Unsurprisingly, Ive kept the 1983 CD as the source for Rock With You and Get On The Floor (which still works completely fine with the rest of the tracks)!
The end result of this 2025 Restoration? Its a digital clone of original USA vinyl in terms of mastering, but the pristine nature of the master-tape sources gives it a newly found edge ð I couldnt recommend giving this a listen enough! Im confident you wont be disappointed ððð
Check out the other MJ albums apart of the Restoration project ðâŽ
Thriller - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLu-EQLp8hCCAtvka1rODGuu
Invincible - https://youtu.be/CeFle3bHlAQ
Dangerous - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLsXHde0dY2Qp6nh4xQ5WOGX")
![Michael Jackson - Speechless [2025 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B_-WVS_1KtY/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Jackson - Speechless [2025 Restoration]
The 2025 Restoration project lives on!!! This is only our 2nd installment to feature a Michael Jackson album, following on from Thriller last year: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLu-EQLp8hCCAtvka1rODGuu
To anyone who may be here for the first time, welcome! The intention of this project is to find the albums best digital source(s), undo any & all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended it to sound!
With the Invincible album, its without question that the original CD release had its drawbacks (soundwise). Issues which directly reflect the time period the album was conceived. And more importantly, issues which tend to hamper our overall experience with this album.
The digital mastering techniques implemented during the late 90s into the early 00s were often very harmful to the music. Excessive brick-walling, unnecessary noise reduction and odd EQ choices intended to suit car stereos and such. Unfortunately, this album was a victim of most, if not all of these traits.
However, the vinyl releases (ignoring the 2018 picture disc) werent restricted to such standards, resulting in a much more pleasurable listening experience overall! Using techniques outlined in the COMPARISON VIDEO (https://youtu.be/CeFle3bHlAQ), Ive set out to bring those positive traits over to the existing digital version for an even cleaner sound ð
The RESULT? Everything sounds much more MJ-like ð Weve uncovered details that went practically unheard on the original! Overflowing with soul and life, it no longer feels separate from everything else hes released ð If youre one of those whove been unimpressed with Invincible based on the existing versions, you NEED to hear it in this state!!! And if youre already a fan of Invincible, you still NEED to hear it in this state!!! ðĨ
To me, THIS form of the album feels more like a continuation of the vision they had for Dangerous, with the benefit of the more modern and mature influences 10 years on. If you listen to the original 1991 CD pressing of Dangerous (which has a similar sonic balance) and then the 2025 Restoration of Invincible, Im sure youll see what I mean...
Full album YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOvYtqeUuiLtznCouj9EJhyoAWXp37WYI
The Queen 2024/25 Restoration Collection:
Sheer Heart Attack - https://youtu.be/YWuGgZHHvII
Innuendo - https://youtu.be/iF537EjjzcM
The Works - https://youtu.be/iiq9A1XseL4
Queen II - https://youtu.be/K1mFRRLRy_c
Hot Space - https://youtu.be/7AuAEfxuuV8
A Kind Of Magic - https://youtu.be/0wnsVmHaWnE
The Game - https://youtu.be/5hCZ4xylu_4
Queen - https://youtu.be/JHy1XXVdkWM
Jazz - https://youtu.be/KZca62jaJBU
News Of The World - https://youtu.be/psxYh1Ne5J4
A Night At The Opera - https://youtu.be/zfgkTPPIayQ
A Day At The Races - https://youtu.be/OyNTCm0VPPM
The Miracle - https://youtu.be/SVPwF7H2eyg
Flash Gordon - https://youtu.be/fonQaYLQbNc
Made In Heaven - https://youtu.be/XnpWAvblUc4")
![Michael Jackson - Baby Be Mine [2024 Restoration]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CJRQGG7f2go/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Jackson - Baby Be Mine [2024 Restoration]
Thanks to your votes in the community tab, the 2024 Restoration project is no longer exclusive to Queen! Happy 42nd anniversary to none other than the biggest selling album in the history of the world, THRILLER ðĶð§ââïļ
To any MJ fans who may be here for the first time, WELCOME! The intention of this project is to find the albums best digital source(s), undo all previous remastering work and restore the music to exactly how the artist originally intended to sound! In this case, the USA 1st LP release was our measuring stick, which to this day is still considered by many to be the best-sounding version of Thriller.
No comparisons video this time around sadly! Sharing this installment was a very last minute decision, but the differences shouldnt be too difficult to detect vs existing digital versions of the album. Im sure we all have our preferred ways of listening to this one already ð If anyones unfamiliar on what the project entails, Id recommend checking out one of the comparisons Ive done for Queen to give you a more in-depth look on the process...
Now, a huge hinderance on most digital releases is severely-squashed dynamics. I set out to find the most reversible source to work with, and theres really only a small handful of options I could find without these issues. The original 1983 CD wouldve been a good option, but that release wasnt sourced directly from the masters. To maximize the cleanliness of the sound, I deemed the recent MFSL SACD from 2022 to be our best option here. The fade-ins/outs for each track were already perfect, and any other volume fluctuations between this release and the original were fairly minimal, therefore pretty easy to adjust.
The main component requiring attention was obviously the EQ. It varied between songs, so I couldnt just do an overall adjustment to the whole album in this case. Either way, tending to each track individually to match them up with the LP wasnt a huge hassle in the end. The MFSL source was a real treat to work with, as they made a conscious effort to keep most elements as pure as possible. After the EQ was taken are of, were already done!
To conclude, none of the Michael Jackson albums released in his lifetime are in as desperate need of a digital restoration as Queen (for example). Each of his albums seems to have at least one decent digital version out there! I think Bernie Grundman did a great job remastering this album in 2001 (he mastered the original LP also)! But its the aforementioned brick-walled dynamics holding it back, something which was likely beyond his control. This 2024 Restoration rights those wrongs, and gives Bernies work the justice it deserves! Really excited to be able to bring that same glorious USA vinyl sound over to digital for everyone else to enjoy ð
The Queen 2024/25 Restoration Collection:
Sheer Heart Attack - https://youtu.be/YWuGgZHHvII
Innuendo - https://youtu.be/iF537EjjzcM
The Works - https://youtu.be/iiq9A1XseL4
Queen II - https://youtu.be/K1mFRRLRy_c
Hot Space - https://youtu.be/7AuAEfxuuV8
A Kind Of Magic - https://youtu.be/0wnsVmHaWnE
The Game - https://youtu.be/5hCZ4xylu_4
Queen - https://youtu.be/JHy1XXVdkWM
Jazz - https://youtu.be/KZca62jaJBU
News Of The World - https://youtu.be/psxYh1Ne5J4
A Night At The Opera - https://youtu.be/zfgkTPPIayQ
A Day At The Races - https://youtu.be/OyNTCm0VPPM
The Miracle - https://youtu.be/SVPwF7H2eyg
Flash Gordon - https://youtu.be/fonQaYLQbNc
Made In Heaven - https://youtu.be/XnpWAvblUc4")
