Recording of Note – Michael Jackson’s Thriller

Hifi - 2023.06.22
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Recording of Note

Thriller 40 – Michael Jackson’s Thriller reissue

Review by Nagra

Recorded under Epic Records at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles with a $750,000 budget, “Thriller”, originally released on November 30, 1982, quickly became a cultural phenomenon that revolutionized the music industry. The album seamlessly blended pop, rock, R&B, and funk, appealing to a wide range of listeners.

 

It was the sixth studio album by Michael Jackson, following the immense success of his previous solo efforts, including “Off the Wall.” “Thriller” went over all expectations, setting unprecedented records.

 

It spent an impressive non-consecutive 37 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, producing a remarkable seven Top 10 hits. Songs like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller” set Michael Jackson on track to his King of Pop title.

With 32 million of copies sold worldwide by the end of 1983 Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, and was ratified by Guinness World Records on February 7, 1984. The same year Thriller won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards at the 1984 Grammys, including Album of the Year, while “Beat It” won Record of the Year.

Thriller is still as of today the best-selling album of all time, with sales of 70 million copies worldwide.

 

Beyond its musical achievements, “Thriller” revolutionized the music industry in multiple ways. The album’s production quality, innovative music videos, and Michael Jackson’s performances set new standards for creativity. The 14-minute “Thriller” music video, directed by John Landis, showed Michael Jackson’s visionary approach, and became an iconic cultural phenomenon, forever changing the landscape of music videos.

 

The influence of “Thriller” extends far beyond its commercial success. Its impact on fashion, dance, and popular culture is immeasurable. Michael Jackson’s dedication to his craft, his passion for storytelling, and his pursuit of excellence made “Thriller” a defining moment in his career and a timeless masterpiece.

Here is the 14 minutes Thriller music video from 1982

The MoFi One-Step 40th Anniversary Edition of “Thriller” provides a unique opportunity to revisit the album that continues to captivate audiences across generations. Listening to tracks like “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Human Nature,” and “P.Y.T.” on vinyl takes us back to a time when music was moving people. The warmth and richness of the analog sound adds a layer of nostalgia, close to the magic of the original release.

P.S. It is this album that sparked, in part, revelations about MoFi’s One Step process and marketing claims. For those interested or unaware, an Internet search will reveal details about the controversy, including the recent class action settlement.

 

Thanks to our partner Qobuz, (re)discover this album on streaming, in high resolution here.

Thanks to them, you can get a free 3 months trial here.

 

Qobuz, a unique approach to online music

Qobuz is a high-resolution music streaming and download service. Pioneer of high quality sound since 2007, the French platform offers a unique and exclusive music experience. Qobuz gives music lovers and audiophiles access to an unparalleled wealth of content: a rich and eclectic catalog of more than 80 million tracks available in the best sound quality (Hi-Res and CD) and original editorial content written by a team of experts, passionate about music.

Qobuz is also the only company in the world to offer streaming and download music in high resolution.

Thank you for reading !

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