Do the Michael Jackson Tapes really exist?

This is a little weird. Has anyone actually heard these tapes? Heard Michael Jackson's voice saying these things? I am reading the book and I don't believe Michael said any of these things. The conversations feel so stilted. He doesn't even speak like that. Michael is impossibly private why would he divulge these controversial things to this Rabbi/aspiring writer/dude? Especially coming from the aftermath of the Martin Bashir interview catastrophe. I think that this "Rabbi" is off the hook. Why are people so shameless when MJ is involved?