STILL A THRILLER, 25 Years Later… By William Fredrick Cooper :
Written February 12, 2008

Yeah, yeah, I know... In 2008 he's eccentric, troubled and tortured. They say he's squandered millions, and through the skin-morphing and accusations of pedophilia, it seems he has all kinds of emotional issues. But see, what I've learned over the years about people is this: NONE OF US ARE PERFECT, AND IF GOD PASSED JUDGMENT ON US ALL, WE ALL BE DEAD. When this is mastered, it helps me look at the good in us all.

In Michael Jackson's instance, I discard the negative opinions, and simply view the Virgo genius in him. Yes, I purchased my 25th Anniversary album today, and felt the same way I did years ago, when a sophomore in High School. Possessing something for Baby Boomers (The Girl Is Mine), the mamba rhythm, electro-funk lovers (Wanna Be Starting Somethin') the R&B lovers (Baby Be Mine) and casual listeners (Human Nature, P.Y.T.), producer Quincy Jones and arrangers Jerry Hey and Rod Temperton crafted brilliance. And those weren't even the major joints on the album.

Think about Usher, Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown for a second. Also stop and think about Kanye West and P. Diddy. Then be real honest with yourself. Okay, if you need a refresher’s course, thank goodness for You Tube. It's not even close. The disparity between manufactured media made hype (Which defines talent these days in all walks of life. Okay, I'm a little too truthful: maybe Usher comes a little close, and Kanye does have some cultural impact...SOME.) and entertainers with natural gifts are laughable, as are the comparisons. Their videos are being shown on MTV at an alarming rate. Think about why for a second, and it validates my claims. Michael Jackson was, and continues to be both Alpha and Omega of today’s pop culture. Anyone care to disagree?

The stars aligned between April and November of 1982, and illuminated Westlake Recording Studios, in Los Angeles. Produced by Quincy Jones, it was the perfect blend of pop, funk, rock and R&B. Thirty-seven weeks at Number One in the U.S. Number one in the UK, South Africa, Holland, Japan, Austrailia... Seven Top Ten Singles. Two Number One tracks. Innovative music videos and a Motown 25 performance as a cherry on a sundae.

Simply put, Michael smoked THRILLER. Smoked it. Begging lovely in the lustful 'Lady In My Life', he many brothers saying ‘Don't You Go Nowhere .. Ooh girl, Lemme Keep you warm’. Hell, horror movie star Vincent Price Rapped on 'Thriller'. Beat It made even the most hardcore R&B lovers dig Eddie Van Halen and his blistering guitar solo.

‘Billie Jean’ was recorded in one take. All you need to hear is that insistent drumbeat provided by Leon 'Ndugu' Chancler, Louis Johnson's bass line, Jerry Hey's string arrangement and the trademark hiccups, yelps and voice and instantly your vision returns to Motown 25 and his mechanical walk, spins, and Jeffrey Daniels taught moonwalk...Did I say he did a triple spin and froze on his toes? It was the perfect masterpiece on a flawless album, and simply set the bar so high even he couldn't reach it, try as he might.

So much has changed since 1983, but classics remain timeless in their beauty. Astaire dancing with Ginger Rogers, Michael Jordan artistically going up for two, or reading a book by James Baldwin or wonderful work of Richard Wright. In Pop culture, there was something timeless in 1983. Let's take time out to appreciate it.

Thanks, Michael.