200 MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS: #23. Continues later this week.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#23

THRILLER: MICHAEL JACKSON  

 

 [1982] 

Much has already been said about 'Thriller'. The best selling album ever. Of its 9 tracks, 7 were lifted as singles. All 7 reached the US Top 10 on the Pop chart. The album attracted a record-breaking Grammy sweep for Michael Jackson. Unprecedented achievements all. Jackson was catapulted into top level star status with 'Thriller'. He had hinted at his potential with 'Off The Wall' 3 years before. That album was his 1st studio album with legendary record producer Quincy Jones. Emboldened by its success, Jackson surpassed expectations with the follow-up. Sticking with the previous album's basic formula, Jackson brought back Jones, as well as songwriter Rod Temperton and some of the session musicians. Despite this, 'Thriller' was a standout masterwork. It featured guest appearances from Hollywood horror film star Vincent Price on the title track; Paul McCartney on the duet "The Girl Is Mine" and Van Halen axeman Eddie Van Halen on "Beat It". The album also features 1 of the best R&B songs of all-time: "Billie Jean". Of the 2 tracks that were not issued as singles: "The Lady In My Life" and "Baby Be Mine" are both worthy additions to the album. Repeating its multi-million global sales was inevitably a gargantuan task. Sadly, Jackson never matched the quality of this album with any of his subsequent releases.

Highlight tracks:

* Billie Jean

* Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

* Human Nature

* Beat It

* Thriller