100: Brad Buxer Special

To celebrate The MJCast’s 100th episode, Jamon and Q put the focus back on music and welcome a particularly special guest, Brad Buxer. Buxer was one of Michael Jackson’s key artistic collaborators, who worked with Jackson for 20 years, from the Dangerous album onwards, and who would become one of his closest producers, musicians, and songwriters. Along with Michael Prince, there was no one else who Michael Jackson trusted more to capture his most personal creative visions.

The guys dive into an incredible, in-depth discussion with Buxer about his early life and music career working with icons such as Stevie Wonder, how he first came to work with Jackson, what it was like creating the Dangerous, HIStory, Blood on the Dance Floor, and Invincible albums, his role as Musical Director for both the Dangerous and HIStory World Tours, the experience of playing music and writing songs with Jackson, insights into Jackson’s life as a father, details about working together in the final years of Jackson’s life, his thoughts on unreleased tracks, and much more.

In addition, The MJCast is honored to have received many congratulations from previous guests on the show, whose audio snippets are included in this episode.

It’s been an amazing run so far, and incredible to watch the show evolve and grow. The MJCast team couldn’t be prouder to be well into Season 5. Jamon, Q, and Elise want to thank each and every listener, supporter, guest, and friend who has been part of this experience. We look forward to our next 100 episodes!

Additional Links
• “Brad, what are you gonna do?” clip.
• Michael Jackson beatboxing clip collection.
• Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour Munich 1997 concert footage.
• Michael Jackson and Friends charity concert, Germany.
• “A Night at the Apollo” Democratic National Convention performance.
• “Blood on the Dance Floor” official video.
• Michael Jackson interview with Geraldo Rivera.
• “In the Back”, from The Ultimate Collection.

Music Breaks
• Michael Jackson – Heal the World (7″ Edit)
• Michael Jackson – Dangerous (Live From A Night at the Apollo, 2002)
• Michael Jackson – Days In Gloucestershire (Demo)

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• TheMJCast.com
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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, 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!

084: Judith Hill Special

Jamon and Charles host this week’s episode, and welcome a very special guest to the show; Grammy Award-winning soul and R&B star Judith Hill. Judith first captured the world’s attention in 2009, when she performed at Michael Jackson’s Staples Centre memorial service. Prior to Michael’s passing, she had been selected as the lead female soloist in Michael’s band for his ‘This Is It’ residency at the O2, and would have been his duet partner in every show. Those rehearsals are featured in the ‘This Is It’ film.

Judith has also toured with Stevie Wonder, Prince, Josh Groban, John Legend, and was a contestant on The Voice. She featured extensively in the Oscar-winning documentary ’20 Feet From Stardom’, and won a Grammy Award for her contributions to its soundtrack. In 2015, she released her fantastic debut solo album, ‘Back In Time’, produced by her friend and mentor, Prince. Judith has recently released her new funk-laden single The Pepper Club, which she’ll undoubtedly be performing her Summer Tour in Europe, which will run through this month. Judith has a new album and stage musical called Golden Child due later this year.

Jamon and Charles are thrilled to have this chance to discuss Judith’s memories about working with legends Michael Jackson and Prince, her experience as a recording artist, and her upcoming projects.

Additional Links
Judith Hill’s website, YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Summer Tour dates in Europe
• Judith’s debut album, ‘Back In Time’ on her website and on Apple Music.
Video for Back In Time (Behind-The-Scenes at Paisley Park)
• Michael Jackson’s This Is It

Ad & Music Breaks
Michael Jackson and Judith Hill – I Just Can’t Stop Loving You (Live in This Is It Rehearsals)
Judith Hill – I Will Always Be Missing You
Judith Hill – Cry, Cry, Cry
Judith Hill – The Pepper Club

Connect with Us
TheMJCast.com
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, 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.comStay BAD!

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

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

076: MJ101 Special: Thriller 35

In celebration of the recent 35th anniversary of Thriller and the accompanying MJ101 eBook, Jamon and Q have returning guests Andy Healy and Chris Lacy back on the show for an in-depth, track-by-track discussion of the album for the first special episode of Season Four.

Andy, creator of the free MJ101 eBook series, and Chris, a long-time fan, dancer and Albumism contributor, share their insights and stories alongside Jamon and Q as they take a deep dive into the world of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Thriller remains the world’s best-selling album and has inspired more than three decades worth of iconic dance moves and fashion. Through this discussion of each track, the guys get to the heart of how Thriller changed pop culture, and the world.

Links
• 
MJ101: Thriller
• The official MJ101 website and Twitter page
• Andy Healy’s articles on Albumism
• Chris Lacy’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages
• Chris Lacy’s articles on Albumism
• Michael Jackson’s Thriller on Apple iTunes
• Michael Jackson’s Thriller 25 (Deluxe Edition) on Apple iTunes
• Michael Jackson’s 1982 26th Annual Grammy Awards acceptance speeches
• Michael Jackson discussing his moving cultural experience after visiting Dakar, Senegal in Jet Magazine
• 
Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Something (12″ Version)
• The Mexico Deposition
• Paul McCartney’s Pipes of Peace (Deluxe Edition) album on Apple iTunes
• Paul McCartney – Say Say Say (feat. Michael Jackson)
• Michael Jackson – Thriller (SWG Extended Mix)
• Michael Jackson – Thriller (Louis La Roche Remix)
• Michael Jackson – Thriller Megamix (SWG)
• Michael Jackson – Starlight (Demo)
• Rick James – Give It To Me Baby
• Michael Jackson – Thriller
• Vincent Price’s full voice over session for Thriller
• The MJCast – Episode 064: Vincent Paterson Special vis Apple Podcasts and the web
• The MJCast – Episode 068: Thriller Night Special with Ola Ray via Apple Podcasts and the web
• Michael Jackson – Beat It
• Brittany Spanos’ Rolling Stone article; How Michael and Janet Jackson created the New Black Rock Star
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (12″ Version)
• David Marchese’s The Vulture article; Quincy Jones, In Conversation
• Jon and Vangelis – State of Independence
• Donna Summer – State of Independence
• Footage of Michael Jackson singing background vocals on Donna Summer’s ‘State of Independence’ along with Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and others.
• 
Hall and Oates interview discussing Michael Jackson being inspired by their work
• Steve Porcaro interview discussing the story behind Human Nature
• SWV – Right Here
• Quincy Jones discusses the story behind The Lady In My Life

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Michael Jackson – The Girl Is Mine (Demo)
• Original U.S. Thriller TV ad
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (SWG Extended Mix)
• Michael Jackson – Lady In My Life (Extended Version)

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
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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. Michael on!

071: MJ101 Special: Bad 30

Creator of the free MJ101 eBook series Andy Healy has released his new book, Bad 30, and what a great opportunity for us to explore both the book and the album for our second last episode of Season Three of The MJCast.

Joining returning guest Andy is a new voice for listeners, Chris Lacy. Chris is a lifelong Michael Jackson supporter in more ways than one. His fiery passion for music and dance came from studying Jackson’s artistry while he was growing up on Navy bases. Chris eventually became a dance instructor while learning from Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Allison Holker of So You Think You Can Dance? fame. His appreciation for Michael Jackson expanded beyond the music when he started battling vitiligo at the age of twelve, a skin condition Jackson also endured. Fortunately, his strong Christian faith has not only helped him with his own struggles but has also inspired him to mentor youth who wrestle with various self-esteem issues. Chris is also a Contributing Writer for Albumism with heartfelt tributes for Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991) under his belt, among others.

Andy, Chris, Jamon and Q explore and discuss the tracks on Michael’s critically and commercially acclaimed late 80’s masterpiece Bad. As Andy was lucky enough to see Michael live through witnessing The Bad World Tour in person, we also get to hear his account of this incredible concert, making us all slightly envious!

Links
• MJ101: Bad 30
• The official MJ 101 website and Twitter page
• The Michael Jackson Archives Facebook group
• Chris Lacy’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages
• Chris Lacy’s Dangerous 25 and Bad 30 articles on Albumism
• Chris Lacy’s Jam tribute video
• Annie Leibovitz’ Michael Jackson photoshoot
• Bad short film
• Bad live on the Bad World Tour
• Prince is interviewed about Michael Jackson’s Bad
• The Way You Make Me Feel short film
• The Way You Make Me Feel live on the Bad World Tour
• Moonwalker film
• Speed Demon short film
• Liberian Girl short film
• Just Good Friends footage from Bad 25
• Michael Jackson – Abortion Papers (Song Groove)
• Michael Jackson – I’m So Blue
• Another Part of Me short film
• Another Part of Me live on the Bad World Tour
• Chris Tucker dancing to Another Part of Me in Rush Hour
• Captain EO film
• Man in the Mirror short film
• Man in the Mirror live on the Bad World Tour
• Prince’s Sign O’ the Times album
• Michael Jackson’s 1988 Grammy Awards performance
• I Just Can’t Stop Loving You live on the Bad World Tour
• Dirty Diana live on the Bad World Tour
• The Weeknd – D.D.
• Smooth Criminal short film
• Smooth Criminal live on the Bad World Tour
• Moonwalker video game playthrough
• The MJCast – Episode 064: Vincent Paterson Special
• Leave Me Alone short film
• The Bad World Tour Live in Brisbane (1987)

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Original 1987 television commercial for the Bad album
• Michael Jackson – Bad (Dance Extended Mix)
• Federico Malaman – Speed Demon
• Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror (Instrumental Live Piano Version)
• Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Annie Mix)
• Original 1988 television commercial for the Bad World Tour live in Denver
• Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana (Live in Rome, 1988)

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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.comMichael on!