Description
Personnel includes: Michael Jackson (vocals, percussion); Paul McCartney (vocals); Vincent Price (spoken vocals); Steve Lukather (guitar, bass); Eddie Van Halen, Dean Parks, Paul Jackson (guitar); Larry Williams (flute, saxophone); Jerry Hey (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bill Reichenbach (trombone); David Paich (piano, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer, programming); Steve Porcaro (synthesizer, programming); David Foster, Rod Temperton (synthesizer); Tom Bahler (Synclavier); Louis Johnson (bass); Ndugu Chancler, Jeff Porcaro (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Brian Banks (programming); LaToya Jackson, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, Becky Lopez, Janet Jackson (background vocals).
Principally recorded at Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, California.
Few albums in pop music history have the legacy of Michael Jackson's THRILLER. Not only was the 1983 landmark one of the biggest-selling albums ever, its influence touched R&B, quiet storm, rock, hip-hop, and practically every other genre in the decades that followed. The 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION gives the world the chance to re-evaluate this classic.
For starters, the original tracks hold up marvelously. The luster hasn't worn from the pure pop gems "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," from the taut energy of "Beat It" and "Thriller," or the soft, intimate pulse of "Human Nature." Quincy Jones's crisp, multi-layered production seems even more masterly in hindsight. The set includes seven bonus tracks, including the previously unreleased ballad "For All Time" from the original sessions, while remixes from will i. am, Akon, Fergie, and Kanye West underscore THRILLER's influence on contemporary pop. The package also comes with a bonus DVD featuring digitally restored versions of the album's classic videos, and a 48-page color booklet complete with lyrics, rare photos and a personal greeting from Michael. The album and its colossal legacy come out no worse in the bargain.
Personnel: Michael Jackson (vocals, drums, hand claps, background vocals); Paul McCartney (vocals, background vocals); Vincent Price (rap vocals); Steve Lukather (guitar, electric bass); Dean Parks, Eddie Van Halen, Paul Jackson, Jr. , David E. Williams (guitar); Larry Andrew Williams (flute, saxophone); Tim Izo (saxophone); Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (trumpet, flugelhorn); Printz Board (trumpet); William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); David Paich (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizer, hand claps); will.i.am (keyboards, synthesizer, drums); Keith Harris , Steve Porcaro, Bill Wolfer (keyboards, synthesizer); Anthony Kilhoffer, Anthony Caruso, Jeff Bhasker (keyboards); Michael Boddicker (synthesizer, vocoder); Greg "Frosty" Smith, Anthony Marinelli, Rod Temperton, David Foster, Brian Banks (synthesizer); Tom Bahler (Synclavier); Louis Johnson (electric bass, hand claps); Jeff Porcaro, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (drums); James Ingram (hand claps, background vocals); Steven Ray (hand claps); Paulinho Da Costa, Chuck Prada (percussion); Giorgio Tuinfort, Aliaune "Akon" Thiam (programming); Becky Lopez, Howard Hewett, Julia Waters, Maxine Willard Waters, Oren Waters, Bunny Hull (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Bruce Swedien; Mick Guzauski.
Audio Remixers: Michael Jackson; Alex Dromgoole; Anthony Kilhoffer; Dylan Dresdow; Mark "Exit" Goodchild; will.i.am.
Recording information: Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA (04/14/1982-11/??/2007); Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, CA (04/14/1982-11/??/2007).
Photographer: Dick Zimmerman.
Unknown Contributor Role: Greg "Frosty" Smith.
Arrangers: Quincy Jones; James Ingram ; Rod Temperton.
The finest example of perfect disco pop, and a record that should be prescribed to musical snobs and manic depressives. The album is a true ambassador of what pop music can be. Jackson whoops and dances through a suite of unforgettable melodies that should be danced to with a smile on your face. Each track offers at least one musical hook, whether it is the beauty of 'Human Nature' (who can resist the 'dada dada da da da') or the 'whoo whoo' of 'Billie Jean'. It's all too good.
- Format: CD
- Genre: Pop
- Released: 02/12/2008