Another hit single from the ingenious duo of writer, Rod Temperton and producer, Quincy Jones, Off The Wall‘s Rock With You proved to be an illustrating moment for Michael in the early 80′s. Echoing the dance floors of  Studio 54 with its moving bass line, flowing string arrangements, and synthesised sound of disco, this single captures a sensual playfulness fused with a joyous spirit in Jackson’s voice. Released November 3, 1979, Rock With You became a defining tune for Michael landing him in the #1 spot on Billboard’s pop and R&B single charts and later becoming the 4th biggest single of the 80′s decade.  From a perspective of resilience,  the staying power of  this single beneath the backdrop of industry changes due to the declining taste for disco and a resurgence of rock makes its chart topping endurance and platinum certification very impressive.

While Rock With You is 31 years old, its ripple effect in song and video is still felt in many contemporary artists like Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Chuck Loeb and many, many others. Here’s a couple of  of examples to show  the single’s reach and influence: (more…)

You would have to be “Bad” with an opening line like “Your butt is mine” nothing else to talk about see here… but seriously the title track from the final album in the MJ/Quincy trilogy is bad as in bad meaning good not bad meaning bad(cue Run-DMC). Based in part on a story that Michael had read in Time magazine, “Bad” had a two week stay at #1 in the Fall of ’87. I particularly like the Jimmy Smith Organ solo and who didn’t practice the “You’re doing wrong!” section of the video in the basement by the full length mirror? Or was that just me?

Better than any muckraking I can do checkout the commentary from the creators themselves…

Released on July 28, 1979 as the lead single for Michael’s first solo record for Epic, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” ruled the airwaves in the late Summer of 1979. Even though the track was firmly entrenched in the Disco idiom it comprised much more than just the four on the floor kick drum pattern and open hi-hats. Frenetic string and horn work, a falsetto never heard before from Michael and the nastiest of nasty synth bass work from Greg Phillinganes this song was and is a party starter.

Happy anniversary Mariah Carey! While we all know she’s got one of the best voices in the game (okay, if you’re asking me, it’s the best voice in the game), but she’s influenced more than generations of American Idol Contestants (did we mention she’s one of the most successful songwriters of all time too? 18 #1 hits almost all penned by Ms. Carey, putting her just behind Elvis). Happy Birthday Anniversary MC, and thank you for incomparable contributions to music!

Mariah Carey feat. ODB “Fantasy (Remix)”
The song that launched the pop-hip hop collaboration….

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We wanted to take a little time out today and send some happy birthday wishes to one of the greatest musicians of our time, the one and only Quincy Delight Jones. Yes, here at GFM we’ve had our moments where we’ve called into to question some recent projects by Q but that in no way diminishes our love and admiration for someone who has done so much for music.

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From the movie soundtrack to “Come Back Charleston Blue”… truly a musician’s, musician Donny truly shows that music is the universal language here. One of the best uses of 1:49 of your life I guarantee.

Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, Quincy Jones, The Basie Band. Music.