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Producer RedOne Eyes Michael Jackson Release
Grammy-nominated producer RedOne, who helped Lady Gaga top charts around the world, believes that music he worked on with Michael Jackson before the singer's death could yet be released.
The 37-year-old producer, born in Morocco and steeped in European pop and rock after spending several years in Sweden, recorded with the "king of pop" in Las Vegas in 2008 and 2009 and in Los Angeles in 2009, before Jackson's death aged 50.
While the results are far from the finished product, RedOne, whose real name is Nadir Khayat, believes he has enough material to work on for a record, although any release would have to involve agreement with Jackson's record label and estate.
"I have big plans," he told Reuters at a recording studio in London, where he has been working with other artists.
"There is material that could come out [from the Jackson sessions]," he added.
"In case I'm going to release something, I would do it for charity, for something that he would have been proud of, because you always felt like everybody wanted to take advantage of him though his life," said RedOne, considered one of the world's top producers after his partnership with Lady Gaga.
Recalling his collaboration with Jackson, he said: "The music we were doing was good, really good...very energetic, uplifting. It's sad that we never finished the material.
"Michael always has been focused on having hits, not having songs, so he always records a lot of songs and takes the best of them and that's his formula which I love. We were doing good quality music and it's never been finished."
RedOne has been nominated for four Grammys -- the music industry's top honors -- ahead of the January 31 ceremony, where stars will perform a tribute to Jackson.
HITS IN AN INSTANT
RedOne said he was initially reluctant to work with Lady Gaga, who did not have a record contract when they first met.
But they immediately clicked, Lady Gaga was signed by a major label soon after and the rest, said RedOne, "is history."
"It happens so quick, we know each other, we're good musically," he said of his collaboration with the flamboyant 23-year-old New Yorker.
"We're not overthinking. We just do what we feel right...Before you know it the song is pretty much done.
"I'm not saying that is the way it should be, but in this case that's what happened -- we wrote 'Just Dance' in one hour. Done. 'Poker Face'? One hour. It just happened. Magic."
Their success has opened countless doors to RedOne, who said he was determined to concentrate on quality not quantity.
He has just been recording with Alexandra Burke and Kylie Minogue, among others.
"To me I was expecting a diva, you know, somebody who's going to be like [that] because she's been doing it for so long," he said of Minogue, who is expected to release a new album later this year.
"It was fun, easy to work with her. We did three songs in two days...[and] we said we're going to do more songs in LA."
RedOne attributed his success to his upbringing in Morocco, where he had access to a broad range of musical styles particularly because he was one of nine children.
He also said he enjoyed the success and recognition that producing brought, particularly because it came without the trappings of fame. And his biggest wish? To work with U2.
http://www.billboard.com/news/produ...eyes-michael-jackson-release-1004060858.story
Michael Jackson: This is It Blu-ray Review By Enid Burns
The Film
It's clear from the moment Michael Jackson walks into the frame of Michael Jackson's This is It, the man moved - and lived - for the stage. The second the music starts, MJ's trademark dance moves and theatrics just start to happen, almost without thought. The documentary chronicles rehearsals and planning for the upcoming concert tour, "This is It." While the film highlight MJ's enthusiasm for the stage, it gives the cast of dancers, singers, and musicians - many of whom were unknowns from around the world - an opportunity to show their work that never saw the stage with the music legend.
In almost two hours, you'll see the combination of several days of rehearsals, ordered by song. The playlist pulls all the way back to the Jackson 5 days, and up to "This is It," a song release for the upcoming tour. The documentary showed MJ's tireless drive for perfection from himself and those working with him. It also showed a few tender moments that revealed how fragile he is; refraining from hitting some of the harder notes during rehearsal to removing the monitor from his ear because the direction he was getting was disturbing his ability to perform.
Released roughly four months after Michael Jackson's sudden death, Michael Jackson's This is It was seen as either a fantastic memorial for his life and his fans, or an opportunistic attempt to cash in on tradegy. Watching the film you realize it was the ultimate tribute. The producer and MJ's family were lucky to have such quality footage of practice performances and behind the scenes action leading up to the concert tour.
For another take, check out Christopher Peterson's review of This Is It.
The Picture
Never intended for public consumption, rehearsals were filmed to be collected for Michael Jackson's private library. Yet despite this fact, the quality of the 1.78.1 picture is surprisingly good. While dancers, background singers, and musicians get their time in front of the camera, most of the action follows MJ and his movement. Rehearsals were filmed as if this were the real concert, and it's only the infrequent long shots, revealing the sparse audience, which give away the illusion.
Editing is seamless, with a blend of several days and several outfits of rehearsals mixed together. The final product is edited so well you almost wouldn't notice the transitions if it weren't for MJ's change from a silver blazer with red pants to gold sequined pants, to a baggy outfit and flight jacket. It's a shame there was never a dress rehearsal as the outfits that were prepared for the show promised to be spectacular.
The Sound
From a concert or pure music perspective, the sound was full and rich in its 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio reproduction. It switches between live sound that gives the perspective of a rehearsal where not all the lyrics are achieved - mostly because MJ appeared to be concentrating on movement - and what must be pre-recorded tracks filled in to give more of a concert fullness in sound.
Where sound is lacking is in those behind-the-scenes moments where MJ interacts with director Kenny Ortega, musicians, and other crew. Many of his comments and statements have to be subtitled because they're simply not audible to the audience. The discussions in these segments are casual, authentic, and for someone to have said, "Michael can you speak more clearly for the camera," would simply never have worked.
The Extras
The Blu-ray has exclusive extras that are not included on the DVD release. These include Sony's movieIQ, featuring the This is It playlist. Vignettes for the transition scenes for both "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller" plus a "Making of 'Smooth Criminal'" featurette are also included. Additional special features include a making-of documentary "Staging the Return: The Adventure Begins," "The Gloved One" featurette on the costumes prepared for the show, and "Memories of Michael." Focused on the performers around MJ, another feature "Auditions: Searching for the World's Best Dancers" goes into pre-rehearsal preparations.
What's disappointing is the Blu-ray comes in a standard jewel case with keepsake cover. There could easily be a booklet, but there is none. Even the two-CD-Set "Michael Jackson's This is It" has a souvenir edition where the CDs come in a bound booklet that makes the CD release more special. Sometimes the extras aren't digital, but mean just as much.
Final Thoughts
The name of Michael Jackson's comeback and foretold last tour, "This is It" is more poignant in this documentary. Intended as his final tour and retirement from live performance, he never saw the stage of his sold out shows at London's 02 arena. Nor did he get to add dates worldwide as the "This is It" tour made its way to his fans around the globe. Instead Michael Jackson's This is It made it to theaters and became one of the highest-grossing concert documentaries in its limited run in theaters. And its stunning picture and sound make it better suited to Blu-ray than to any other format.
Product Details
Grammy-nominated producer RedOne, who helped Lady Gaga top charts around the world, believes that music he worked on with Michael Jackson before the singer's death could yet be released.
The 37-year-old producer, born in Morocco and steeped in European pop and rock after spending several years in Sweden, recorded with the "king of pop" in Las Vegas in 2008 and 2009 and in Los Angeles in 2009, before Jackson's death aged 50.
While the results are far from the finished product, RedOne, whose real name is Nadir Khayat, believes he has enough material to work on for a record, although any release would have to involve agreement with Jackson's record label and estate.
"I have big plans," he told Reuters at a recording studio in London, where he has been working with other artists.
"There is material that could come out [from the Jackson sessions]," he added.
"In case I'm going to release something, I would do it for charity, for something that he would have been proud of, because you always felt like everybody wanted to take advantage of him though his life," said RedOne, considered one of the world's top producers after his partnership with Lady Gaga.
Recalling his collaboration with Jackson, he said: "The music we were doing was good, really good...very energetic, uplifting. It's sad that we never finished the material.
"Michael always has been focused on having hits, not having songs, so he always records a lot of songs and takes the best of them and that's his formula which I love. We were doing good quality music and it's never been finished."
RedOne has been nominated for four Grammys -- the music industry's top honors -- ahead of the January 31 ceremony, where stars will perform a tribute to Jackson.
HITS IN AN INSTANT
RedOne said he was initially reluctant to work with Lady Gaga, who did not have a record contract when they first met.
But they immediately clicked, Lady Gaga was signed by a major label soon after and the rest, said RedOne, "is history."
"It happens so quick, we know each other, we're good musically," he said of his collaboration with the flamboyant 23-year-old New Yorker.
"We're not overthinking. We just do what we feel right...Before you know it the song is pretty much done.
"I'm not saying that is the way it should be, but in this case that's what happened -- we wrote 'Just Dance' in one hour. Done. 'Poker Face'? One hour. It just happened. Magic."
Their success has opened countless doors to RedOne, who said he was determined to concentrate on quality not quantity.
He has just been recording with Alexandra Burke and Kylie Minogue, among others.
"To me I was expecting a diva, you know, somebody who's going to be like [that] because she's been doing it for so long," he said of Minogue, who is expected to release a new album later this year.
"It was fun, easy to work with her. We did three songs in two days...[and] we said we're going to do more songs in LA."
RedOne attributed his success to his upbringing in Morocco, where he had access to a broad range of musical styles particularly because he was one of nine children.
He also said he enjoyed the success and recognition that producing brought, particularly because it came without the trappings of fame. And his biggest wish? To work with U2.
http://www.billboard.com/news/produ...eyes-michael-jackson-release-1004060858.story
Michael Jackson: This is It Blu-ray Review By Enid Burns
The Film
It's clear from the moment Michael Jackson walks into the frame of Michael Jackson's This is It, the man moved - and lived - for the stage. The second the music starts, MJ's trademark dance moves and theatrics just start to happen, almost without thought. The documentary chronicles rehearsals and planning for the upcoming concert tour, "This is It." While the film highlight MJ's enthusiasm for the stage, it gives the cast of dancers, singers, and musicians - many of whom were unknowns from around the world - an opportunity to show their work that never saw the stage with the music legend.
In almost two hours, you'll see the combination of several days of rehearsals, ordered by song. The playlist pulls all the way back to the Jackson 5 days, and up to "This is It," a song release for the upcoming tour. The documentary showed MJ's tireless drive for perfection from himself and those working with him. It also showed a few tender moments that revealed how fragile he is; refraining from hitting some of the harder notes during rehearsal to removing the monitor from his ear because the direction he was getting was disturbing his ability to perform.
Released roughly four months after Michael Jackson's sudden death, Michael Jackson's This is It was seen as either a fantastic memorial for his life and his fans, or an opportunistic attempt to cash in on tradegy. Watching the film you realize it was the ultimate tribute. The producer and MJ's family were lucky to have such quality footage of practice performances and behind the scenes action leading up to the concert tour.
For another take, check out Christopher Peterson's review of This Is It.
The Picture
Never intended for public consumption, rehearsals were filmed to be collected for Michael Jackson's private library. Yet despite this fact, the quality of the 1.78.1 picture is surprisingly good. While dancers, background singers, and musicians get their time in front of the camera, most of the action follows MJ and his movement. Rehearsals were filmed as if this were the real concert, and it's only the infrequent long shots, revealing the sparse audience, which give away the illusion.
Editing is seamless, with a blend of several days and several outfits of rehearsals mixed together. The final product is edited so well you almost wouldn't notice the transitions if it weren't for MJ's change from a silver blazer with red pants to gold sequined pants, to a baggy outfit and flight jacket. It's a shame there was never a dress rehearsal as the outfits that were prepared for the show promised to be spectacular.
The Sound
From a concert or pure music perspective, the sound was full and rich in its 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio reproduction. It switches between live sound that gives the perspective of a rehearsal where not all the lyrics are achieved - mostly because MJ appeared to be concentrating on movement - and what must be pre-recorded tracks filled in to give more of a concert fullness in sound.
Where sound is lacking is in those behind-the-scenes moments where MJ interacts with director Kenny Ortega, musicians, and other crew. Many of his comments and statements have to be subtitled because they're simply not audible to the audience. The discussions in these segments are casual, authentic, and for someone to have said, "Michael can you speak more clearly for the camera," would simply never have worked.
The Extras
The Blu-ray has exclusive extras that are not included on the DVD release. These include Sony's movieIQ, featuring the This is It playlist. Vignettes for the transition scenes for both "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller" plus a "Making of 'Smooth Criminal'" featurette are also included. Additional special features include a making-of documentary "Staging the Return: The Adventure Begins," "The Gloved One" featurette on the costumes prepared for the show, and "Memories of Michael." Focused on the performers around MJ, another feature "Auditions: Searching for the World's Best Dancers" goes into pre-rehearsal preparations.
What's disappointing is the Blu-ray comes in a standard jewel case with keepsake cover. There could easily be a booklet, but there is none. Even the two-CD-Set "Michael Jackson's This is It" has a souvenir edition where the CDs come in a bound booklet that makes the CD release more special. Sometimes the extras aren't digital, but mean just as much.
Final Thoughts
The name of Michael Jackson's comeback and foretold last tour, "This is It" is more poignant in this documentary. Intended as his final tour and retirement from live performance, he never saw the stage of his sold out shows at London's 02 arena. Nor did he get to add dates worldwide as the "This is It" tour made its way to his fans around the globe. Instead Michael Jackson's This is It made it to theaters and became one of the highest-grossing concert documentaries in its limited run in theaters. And its stunning picture and sound make it better suited to Blu-ray than to any other format.
Product Details
- Actors: Michael Jackson, Alex Al, Nick Bass, Judith Hill, Orianthi, Kenny Ortega
- Director: Kenny Ortega
- Audio Languages: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
- Subtitles: English, French, English SDH
- Aspect Ratio: 1.78.1
- Number of Discs: 1
- Rating: PG
- Studio: Columbia Pictures
- Release Date: October 28, 2009
- Run Time: 111 Minutes
- List Price: $39.95
- Extras:
- Two making-of documentaries
- Three featurettes: "The Gloved One" costumes; "Memories of Michael;" and "Auditions: Searching for the World's Best Dancers"
- Thriller and Smooth Criminal vignettes, presented in 5.1 audio
- Making Smooth Criminal featurette
- MovieIQ featuring the "This is It" interactive playlist
Today in
Michael Jackson History
Michael Jackson History
1995 - Janet Jackson was honored with awards for achievement in Dance Music at the International Dance Awards from London's Picadilly Theatre.
2004 - Michael Jackson's customized 2001 Bentley sedan was removed from a car auction. Jackson's management team notified auction officials that Jackson wanted the sale postponed. The Bentley Arnage Red Label Turbo was featured in Jackson's video for the song "What More Can I Give." The interior roof was signed by a host of celebrities including Jackson.
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