079: Bryan Loren Special

As regular listeners of The MJCast know, Jamon and Q are sensitive to the delicate nature of leaks. While often thrilling for fans, they can profoundly affect the trajectory of a song, an album, and a career. In the case of renowned record producer, singer-songwriter, and instrumentalist Bryan Loren, much of his work with Michael Jackson, to which he dedicated years of hard work, leaked out to the public. Because of these unfortunate events, as well as other factors, Loren never got credit or compensation for much of the material he created. Loren is now inviting Michael Jackson fans to consider respectfully offering him a token of thanks, a voluntary sum of money through his website, along with a note on how we’ve enjoyed his music over the years.

In this week’s exclusive interview, Jamon, who is hosting solo, welcomes Season 4’s first musical collaborator special guest, Bryan Loren. Loren has worked as a producer with a number of notable artists, including Whitney Houston, Barry White, Sly Stone, Sting, and, of course, Michael Jackson. A talented musician at a young age, Loren was a professional session artist by age 15 and had signed his first contract at only 17. He had two Billboard-charting R&B songs in 1984 as a solo artist, including ‘Lollipop Luv’ and ‘Do You Really Love Me’. Loren started working with Michael Jackson in the years leading up to the release of the Dangerous album in 1991. They collaborated on several songs together, including, to name just a few, ‘Work That Body’, ‘Serious Effect’, ‘She Got It’, ‘Man In Black’, ‘Superfly Sister’, ‘Mind Is The Magic’ and ‘Do the Bartman’. Their collaborative relationship and friendship would last for many years beyond those early sessions. Loren continues to make his own music as a solo artist, and plans to release his new album in the Summer of 2018.

This week’s episode is a a tough but important discussion about the deep and complex impact that leaks and other events have had on Loren’s life and career. Ultimately, The MJCast hopes that this interview will inspire listeners to think about the rights of artists, and about where lines must be drawn.

Links
• Bryan Loren’s website and letter to fans, which includes information about how to make financial contributions.
• Bryan Loren’s Facebook, Twitter and Apple Music pages.
• You can read Jamon’s ‘Thoughts on Leaks…’ op-ed here.
• The Philadelphia Experiment album
• The Jacksons’ self titled album and Goin’ Places
• Bryan Loren – Lollipop Luv (12″ Version)
• Michael Jackson – Superfly Sister
• Do The Bartman
• Gavin Christopher – One Step Closer
• Rufus & Chaka Khan – Destiny
• Bryan’s three favourite albums (Stevie Wonder’s Music Of My Mind, Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall and Steely Dan’s Aja).

Music Breaks & Ads
• Michael Jackson – Work That Body
• 
Michael Jackson – Serious Effect
• Do The Bartman
• Michael Jackson – She Got It

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

060: The Laura Comedy Hour

Laura Nicholson returns to guest host with Jason and Q, and this time she has the chance to share her fan story! This is followed by a range of news stories, reactions to and our reviews of the Lifetime TV film starring Navi, Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland, details around what you’ll need to send in for an upcoming Q&A episode, finds of the week and some sweet, sweet tunes.

News
• 
Association On The Line is hosting the MJ Music Day event in Paris, France.
• 
New Who Is It concept art has apparently leaked.
• 
Michael Jackson themed Egyptian movie Sheik Jackson is on the way.
• 
Prince Jackson attends the 2017 Billboard Music Awards and presents Drake with the Top Artist Award.
• 
Shana Mangatal has released never before seen footage from the original Ghosts shoot, with an interesting back story around it.
• 
Janet Jackson reportedly set to document divorce, motherhood and more on Netflix special.
• MJ’s nephew, Austin Brown, collaborates with fraudster Eddie Cascio.
• 
Iconic Michael Jackson film from photo sessions needs $500 000 to be developed.
• 
Michael Jackson fan loses home in London’s Grenfell Tower Fire tragedy.
• 
Thriller 3D to be released in the US this summer.
• 
Review of The Jacksons Glastonbury performance from their 50th Anniversary tour
• 
TJ and Frances Jackson launch The Family Rules, a platform with blogs, posts, Q&A videos on marriage, children and family.
• 
Paris Jackson appears in The xx’s new short film, I Dare You.

Main Discussion Topic
• 
Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Finds of the Week
• 
Jason – How to Make Michael Jackson’s Scream
• Q – Sean Kenneth O’Hara’s HelpHOPELive Kidney Transplant Fund campaign
• 
Laura – Touch of Brass Big Band – Thriller (Arranged by Neil Finn)
• Jamon – “Most Difficult Mix Ever” – Mixing Michael Jackson’s They Don’t Care About Us

Additional Links
• 
Laura Nicholson on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
• The Michael Jackson Estate issues a press release about Lifetime and Netflix MJ films
• 
Jankins of Moonwalk Talks podcast does a terrific in-depth review in his Episode 023
• YouTube review of Searching for Neverland from listener Aaron Clements

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (Accents Bring the Sun Remix)
• Michael Jackson – P.Y.T. (The Reflex Revision)
• Michael Jackson – Liberian Girl (Master Chic Mix)
• Jackson 5 – Alpha Bits Commercial
• Michael Jackson – Human Nature (Cover)

Connect with Us
• 
TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comKeep Michaeling!

053: You Don’t Feel it Coming?

Episode 053 of The MJCast sees Jamon teaming up with co-host Charles Thomson and debut guest host Greg Spinks in Q’s absence. The boys begin the show by discussing follow-up around Paris Jackson’s debut as a television actress on Star and a brief update on the Cascio case. Headline news items include 3T’s retraction of their lawsuit against Radar Online, Jason Malachi’s return to the music scene, Tito Jackson’s new single, Kingvention 2017 and The Jacksons Glastonbury announcement. Jamon, Charles and Greg then discuss Michael’s alleged interest in playing Professor X in the X-Men movies, Paris Jackson presenting at the GLAAD Awards, Charles’ new favourite song by The Weeknd, new footage of Michael Jackson and finally HLN’s Michael Jackson episode of How It Really Happened. The main discussion topic of this episode is Greg Spinks’ history as an MJ fan and the previously untold story of his creation, the greatest Michael Jackson forum that ever was (in Jamon’s estimation), Maximum Jackson. We hope you enjoy this episode of the internet’s premiere podcast on all things Michael Jackson and the Jackson family.

Follow Up
• 
Episode 053 of The MJCast is dedicated to the mother of Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson, Dee Dee Jackson. Please consider making a donation to the Dee Dee Jackson Foundation in her honour.
• 
Paris Jackson makes her TV acting debut on Star. See a brief interview with her here.
• 
Vera Serova challenges Eddie Cascio, James Porte & Angelikson’s request for reimbursement of their legal fees. Relevant court documents are the March, 2017 docs here.

News
• 
3T retract their lawsuit against Radar Online
• 
Jason Malachi is back on the music scene
• 
Tito Jackson has dropped his new single When The Magic Happens (feat. Jocelyn Brown)
• Kingvention 2017 tickets are now on sale
• The Jacksons expand their U.K. show dates to include Glastonbury festival
• 
Michel Jackson wanted to play Professor X in the X-Men films
• 
Paris Jackson to present at the GLAAD Awards
• 
The Weeknd releases he new Jacksons inspired video for I Feel It Coming (feat. Daft Punk)
• 
Shana Mangatal is releasing rare videos of Michael Jackson on her YouTube channel including videos of Michael with Ryan White, Michael on the Bad World Tour and on the set of In The Closet
• HLN air their Michael Jackson episode of How It Really Happened

Main Discussion Topic
• 
Greg Spinks’ history as a fan and the untold story behind Maximum Jackson

Finds of the Week
• 
Jamon Bull – The Many Typefaces of Michael Jackson
• Charles Thomson – The Jacksons – I’ll Be There (Live in Antwerp, 2012)
• Greg Spinks – Prince Jackson’s new MJ inspired tattoo

Additional Links
• 
Greg Spinks’ FacebookTwitter and Instagram accounts
• 
Charles Thomson’s Facebook, Twitter and website
• Maximum Jackson’s closure announcement and in-depth article
• Paris Jackson: Inside Her Calculated Rise to Fame article
• Miss Castaway and the Island Girls IMDb page
• The Jacksons Night of the Proms full performance live in Antwerp
• 
Footage of Michael Jackson visiting Stan Lee in 1999
• 
The Jacksons – Can You Feel It short film
• The Weeknd – D.D.
• The Prince episode of HLN’s How It Really Happened
• 
Ian Halperin’s Unmasked – The Final Years of Michael Jackson book
• 
Rush Hour 2 on iTunes
• Michael Jackson – You Rock My World video and hilarious review
• Red Dragon special feature with Brett Ratner, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Jackson
• Damien Shields’ website and Xscape Origins book
• 
Alvin and the Chipmunks Billie Jean video
• Nada Basheer’s book review of Michael Bush’s King of Style: Dressing Michel Jackson

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Michael Jackson – Human Nature (Louis La Roche Remix)
• 3T – Anything (Cool Out Urban Remix)
• Tame Impala – Stranger In Moscow
• Michael Jackson – Who Is It (Divyns Remix)

Connect with Us
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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comKeep Michaeling!

046: Dangerous 25 Roundtable (Part 2)

Welcome to the second and final instalment of our Dangerous 25 Roundtable shows. Sonically groundbreaking, spiritually profound, sexually provocative and socially conscious, Dangerous exploded onto the music market on November 26th, 1991, taking Michael to new global audiences and cementing his position not only as the King of Pop, but an artist willing to illuminate and challenge some of the world’s most important issues. In many ways, the album is relevant now more than ever. To celebrate twenty-five years of this masterpiece, The MJCast has brought together a roundtable panel of authors, academics and researchers – all mega fans.

Q, Elizabeth, Mike, James, Andy & Samar begin the show by discussing Michael’s appearances and performances during the Dangerous era followed by an analysis of Sony’s Dangerous 25 campaign. The panel members also discusses Michael’s style during the period and their favourite Dangerous era memories before closing the show out with a discussion around how the Dangerous album holds up in Michael’s discography today.

Participants
• 
Q, Co-Host of The MJCast.
• Elizabeth Amisu, author of The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife.
• Mike Smallcombe, author of Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson.
• James Alay
• Andy Healy, author of the MJ 101 series.
• Samar Habib, creator of The Michael Jackson Academia Project.

Topics
• Dangerous appearances and performances
• Dangerous style
• Memories from the era
• How does Dangerous hold up today?

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Michael Jackson – Jam (Nick* Redux)
• Michael Jackson – Give In To Me (Demo)
• Michael Jackson – Who Is It (IHS Mix)
• Michael Jackson – Remember The Time (Nick* 24K Magic Mashup)

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comMichael on!

Episode 040 – The Gold Pants Brigade

episode-040-the-gold-pants-brigade-show-art

On this episode, Jason Garcia of The MJCast en Español joins Jamon as a guest host in Q’s absence. Jamon and Jason kick Episode 040 off with some follow up discussion around Episode 039‘s show length and how Jason feels being one month into hosting The MJCast en Español. News items include Kingvention 2016 (including an audio roundup from Karin and Elizabeth of The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies), the 3T weekend in Amsterdam (with an audio roundup from Christophe Charlot, author Travelling with a King) and an update on Christophe’s MJBackstage magazine. Following this, the guys discuss Rogue Magazine publishing never-before-seen photos and videos of Michael Jackson, Ghana’s President discussing Michael Jackson in his address to the United Nations, a new book on the HIStory era by Brice Najar and finally Brad Sundberg‘s late 2016 plans for In the Studio with Michael Jackson. The main discussion topic for this episode is all around the Michael Jackson songs that Jason and Jamon feel are his most underrated. Special thanks to L. Josefin (@_linajosefin on Twitter) for this great idea.

Follow Up

News

  • Kingvention 2016 honours Dangerous 25 in style.
  • 3T weekend in Amsterdam recap
  • MJBackstage is to issue its final regularly released magazine this November.
  • The latest issue of Rogue Magazine is set to feature unpublished images of Michael Jackson.
  • Ghana’s President tells the United Nations to dance to the tune of Michael Jackson.
  • Let’s Make HIStory: An Insight Into the HIStory Album by Brice Najar is to be released in French and English versions.
  • Upcoming In the Studio with Michael Jackson events. London, Dublin, Berlin…and Mexico City!

Main Discussion Topic 

  • “What less famous MJ songs deserve recognition?” – L. Josefin (@_linajosefin on Twitter)
  • Jamon
    • You Can’t Win
    • Someone In The Dark
    • Lady In My Life
    • Hot Street
    • Song Groove (AKA Abortion Papers)
    • Someone Put Your Hand Out
    • Why You Wanna Trip On Me?
    • Money
    • Ghosts
    • Is It Scary
    • Morphine
    • Break Of Dawn
    • Do You Know Where Your Children Are?
    • Xscape
    • Jamon’s most underrated MJ song – We’ve Had Enough
  • Jason
    • On The Line
    • She’s Out Of My Life [Demo]
    • The Girl Is Mine [Mexico Deposition]
    • The Girl Is Mine 2008 (feat. Will.I.Am)
    • P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) [Demo]
    • Stranger In Moscow
    • Morphine
    • Childhood
    • Blood On The Dancefloor
    • Fall Again
    • In The Back
    • Beautiful Girl
    • One More Chance
    • Get On The Floor
    • I Can’t Help It
    • Who Is It
    • This Time Around
    • 2 Bad
    • 2000 Watts
    • Threatened
    • Speechless
    • Slave To The Rhythm
    • Sunset Driver
    • Jason’s most underrated MJ song – Whatever Happens
  • Q
    • For All Time
    • Fall Again
    • Threatened
    • Speechless
    • Childhood
    • Whatever Happens
    • You Can’t Win
    • Someone In The Dark
    • Seeing Voices
    • Elizabeth I Love You
    • Dangerous
    • Lady In My Life [Extended Version]
    • Brandy – It’s Not Worth It (special mention for MJ’s background vocals)
    • Q’s most underrated MJ song – You Were There

Finds of the Week

Additional Links

Music Breaks & Ads

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comKeep Michaeling!

Episode 022 – Moonwalk Talks Simulcast

Episode 022 - Moonwalk Talks Simulcast YouTube ArtOn this first ‘simulcast’ release for The MJCast and Moonwalk Talks, Jamon and Q are joined by hip hop producer, rapper, podcast host and all ’round MJ fan extraordinaire, Jankins! The boys kick things off this week with an in depth discussion on the recently announced Spike Lee documentary Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off the Wall followed by an exploration into the dozens of MJ leaks that have happened over the past week. Next, Chris Cadman’s new website, Michael Jackson Masterworks is discussed just in time for a quick ‘Skype in’ from The MJCast’s Legal Correspondent, Charles Thomson. Charles fills us in on the latest developments in the Serova Vs. Sony/Cascio/Porte/Estate lawsuit. Lastly, the recently released and controversial Greg Gorman photograph of Michael that’s on display in the Berlin Museum of Photography is analysed. We hope you enjoy this final episode before The MJCast’s first Christmas Special later in December.

News
The long awaited follow up documentary to Bad 25 by Spike Lee will premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival…and it’s called Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall.
A plethora of Michael Jackson material has been made available to the public through co-ordinated leaks over the past week, including…

  • Dangerous rehearsal footage from the Dangerous World Tour.
  • The Way You Make Me Feel rehearsal footage from the Dangerous World Tour…with Michael delivering lyrics in spoken word.
  • Behind the scenes footage of the 1993 Oprah Winfrey interview.
  • You Are Not Alone (A Cappella).
  • Best of Joy (A Cappella).
  • The HIStory World Tour live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • The HIStory World Tour live in Auckland, New Zealand).
  • The Bad World Tour live in Rome, Italy.
  • The Bad World Tour live in Tokyo, Japan.
  • The Victory Tour live in Toronto, Canada.
  • Ghosts film outtakes.
  • The 1993 version of the video for Is It Scary.
  • An alternate video version of the short film, Give in to Me.
  • An extended version of the Dangerous era Pepsi ad video featuring the song Who Is It.
  • An alternate cut of the short film, They Don’t Care About Us (Prison Version).
  • Man in the Mirror (A Cappella).
  • Seeing Voices (A Cappella).
  • Jam short film (alternate cut with previously unseen footage).

Author Chris Cadman has launched a new website entitled Michael Jackson Masterworks.
UK Journalist and The MJCast Legal Correspondent Charles Thomson unpacks the latest court documents regarding the Serova Vs. Sony/Branca/Cascio/Porte/MJJ Productions/Angelikson case. The relevant court documents can be accessed as a PDF here.
A new Michael Jackson photograph is on display at the Berlin Museum of Photography courtesy of photographer, Greg Gorman.

Discussion Topic
Our favourite MJ songs

Our favourite MJ albums…

Our favourite MJ short films…

Our favourite MJ look/style…

  • Q – Napoleonic, 18th/19th century military inspired clothing (with special mention going to the gold HIStory World Tour opening costume)
  • Jamon – As above (as exemplified by Michael’s 1990 appearance at The White House with George Bush Sr.)
  • Jankins – The sequinned costumes on The Victory Tour

Our favourite MJ concert tour…

Our favourite Mj appearance/performance…

Finds of the Week
Jamon – The Jackson 5’s Christmas Album
Q – At the 1988 Bad concert…well the car park of Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
Jankins – Baby Be Mine cover by Bella

Additional Links
Charles Thomson’s official websiteTwitter and Facebook pages
Jankins’ official website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud and YouTube pages
Moonwalk Talks website and iTunes page – subscribe today!
Michael Jackson’s Suzuki ad series
I Can’t Help It [The Reflex Edit]
Damien Shields’ website
Images from the Arno Bani photoshoot
Spike Lee’s Bad 25 documentary film
J Randy Taraborelli’s Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story
Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker on Blu-ray
Michael Jackson’s Number Ones on DVD
Michael Jackson’s HIStory on Film: Vol II on DVD
Michael Jackson’s You Rock My World video clip
Roberto Cavalli’s concept art sketches and blog post on designing for Michael
Jankins feat. Michael Jackson – Cheater music video
The MJCast and Moonwalk Talks MEGA FAN Verna Gold!
MJBeats, The Bad Tour Archive and The Michael Jackson Archives

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comKeep Michaeling!