George Michael's 'Never Was' Album Surfaces in New Film

In 1992, George Michael, then in a dispute with Sony Records, embarked on an ambitious project named Trojan Souls. This album was intended as a showcase for his musical heroes, including Aretha Franklin and Janet Jackson. The creative process was deeply intertwined with his relationship with his Brazilian boyfriend, Anselmo Feleppa.

Tragically, Feleppa passed away from AIDS in March 1993, leading Michael to abandon the album. The project remained unfinished, though some tracks and behind-the-scenes footage later surfaced. Andros Georgiou, a close friend of Michael, has spent years attempting to manage the release of this material.

Georgiou is now releasing 90 minutes of unedited video footage titled Trojan Souls, offering fans an unfiltered look at Michael's creative peak. This release aims to showcase what Georgiou calls 'the greatest album never made.'

The origins of Trojan Souls were steeped in defiance against Sony, with Michael seeking creative independence. The project began with a cover of 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now' in Los Angeles and evolved into an album featuring potential contributions from artists like Sade Adu and Bryan Ferry. However, only the Elton John collaboration 'This Kind of Love' was fully completed.

Musicians who worked with Michael described his creative process as demanding but ultimately brilliant, highlighting his exceptional ear for music. Despite the project's stalled beginning, fragments of the Trojan Souls sessions have been heard, and 'This Kind of Love' was re-recorded by Michael shortly before his death.

The friendship between Michael and Georgiou also faced challenges, culminating in a falling out in 1998 following Michael's public outing after an arrest. Georgiou recounts their tentative reconnection in 2016, cut short by Michael's death. The Trojan Souls footage, therefore, documents not only an unfulfilled musical vision but also a significant, albeit complex, friendship.