Michael Jackson - The Essential (2005) [Hi-Res]

The title might sound like hyperbole, but this two-disc collection is, in fact, a pretty fair summation of Michael Jackson's career up to 2005. Of course, it's impossible for two discs to hold every hit single Michael Jackson has ever had, but „The Essential Michael Jackson“ starts with the Jackson Five's debut single, 'I Want You Back,' and ends 38 tracks later with the 2001 comeback attempt 'You Rock My World.' In between is a chronological overview of some of the most significant pop music in the last three decades of the 20th century, climaxing with about two-thirds of „Thriller“ and half of „Off The Wall“, the album that in retrospect sounds even fresher and more exciting than its blockbuster follow-up. Disc Two starts in 1987 with eight tracks from the underrated BAD, and its second half does the listener the handy service of compressing the second act of Michael Jackson's life story (a time when the tabloid headlines were overshadowing his increasingly formulaic music) into nine entirely respectable, if not earth-shattering, singles.

Michael Jackson, vocals, soprano, percussion, background vocals
Linda Harmon, vocals, soprano
Christa Larson, vocals
Ashley Ferrell, vocals
Andraé Crouch, vocals
Mystery Girl, vocals
Vincent Price, rap vocals, spoken vocals
L.T.B., rap vocals
Slash, guitar
Larry Carlton, guitar
Steve Stevens, guitar
Trevor Rabin, guitar
David 'Hawk' Wolinski, piano, electric piano
Brad Buxer, keyboards, synthesizer
George Duke, synthesizer
Glen Ballard, synthesizer
Rhett Lawrence, synthesizer
Bobby Watson, bass
Gary King, bass
Louis Johnson, bass
Nathan Watts, bass
Claudio Slon, drums, congas, percussion
Rick Marotta, drums, percussion
Ed Green, drums
Jeff Porcaro, drums
Bryan Loren, percussion
Becky Lopez, background vocals
Zedric Williams, background vocals
Julia Waters, background vocals
Maxine Willard Waters, background vocals
Andraé Crouch Choir, background vocals
Oren Waters, background vocals
Bunny Hull, background vocals
Paul McCartney, background vocals
Siedah Garrett, vocals …and many others.

Recorded at Record One, Los Angeles, CA (1969-1999; Sony Studios, (1969-1999; Sony Studios (1969-1999 )New York, NY.
Engineered by Dexter Simmons; Don Murray; Jeff Tarsia; Jean Marie Horvat; Peter Granet; Rodney Jerkins; Stuart Brawley; Brad Gilderman
Produced by Michael Jackson; Hal Davis; Mel Larson; Jerry Marcellino; Kenny Gamble; Leon Huff; Quincy Jones; Bill Bottrell; Teddy Riley; R. Kelly; Rodney Jerkins; Bruce Swedien; The Corporation; Hal Davis; Mel Larson; Jerry Marcellino; Kenny Gamble; Leon Huff; Quincy Jones; Bill Bottrell

Digitally remastered