This greatest hits compilation album released in 2005 features hits spanning the whole of Michael Jackson's career from the very first Jackson 5 hit single to his last from a solo album.

Its a double album with the first half featuring hits by the Jackson 5, Jackson's, Michael at Mowtown and then solo hits from "Off The Wall" and "Thriller" and one from "Bad".

The second half of the album features hits from Michael's remaining solo albums as an adult artist from"Bad" through to "Invincible".

A limited Edition was released in September 2008, entitled The Essential Michael Jackson 3.0 which featured a 3rd cd with an extra 7 hits.