Damien talks: Michael’s 80’s team

By TJ | July 22, 2008

Further to my post yesterday about the producers and writers Michael Jackson
is working with on his upcoming studio album, I thought I would fill you guys in
with some of the OTHER people Michael is said to be working with which may come
as a surprise to SOME of you.. ( the hardcore Jackson fans who live their
day-to-day lives on the MJ discussion boards would know most of this information
already)

It seems that MJ is going back to what worked best in the 80’s, and working
with the mega-team that helped sculpt his legacy into what we know as the King
Of Pop!

1. Quincy Jones -
For those of you who don’t know, Quincy Jones is the mastermind producer behind
Michael’s first 3 major solo records; Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad. In a
recent interview from January 2008, Carlos Santana let slide that MJ and Q are
back working together. His quote reads as follows; "Michael, called me not
too long ago and he asked me to work with him and Quincy Jones which both are
back working together again."
Furthermore, Akon (who is playing a big role in Mike’s new album) is also a
VERY close friend of Quincy Jones.

2. John Robinson -
The man who played the drums on Michael’s Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad albums.
His official website says he is currently working on Michael’s new album. This
could be linked with the Quincy Jones rumour. None the less, the dude has
skills. Not just any Joe Bloggs can score the gig drumming on MJ’s 3 most
historic albums!
Link: http://www.johnjrrobinson.com/

3. Frank DiLeo -
Powerhouse music manager and deal maker Frank DiLeo is the man who managed
Michael from 1984 to 1989, arguably his absolutely prime career wise. Frank is
rumoured to be back in the frame. Sources would indicate that Frank is in fact
back in control of managing Michael Jackson. That source is (previously
mentioned) Steve Pageot.
See here:

http://www.maximum-jackson.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=1833
It should also be noted that Franks website is littered with pictures of Michael
Jackson.

4. John Landis -
The man who was the creative force behind MJ’s masterpiece "short films" for his
songs ‘Thriller’ and ‘Black or White’ is ALSO said to be back working with
Michael. Landis himself let this one slide to a fan at the 2008 London Film and
Comic Convention. A fan asked Landis whether or not he would put past
differences aside and work with Michael again. Landis responded telling the fan
that he IS already working with Jackson, and that the project is a "surprise".

Make of this what you will..

I consider it slightly more than a coincidence that all of these pieces of
information have come out this year. Four people, all of whom have been a part
of the biggest musical and entertainment success the world has ever seem, all
appear to be reuniting on the verge of Michael Jackson making his long awaited
comeback. Can lightening strike twice?

I will leave you in the words of will.i.am - "Something needs to put a
jolt back in the music industry. And the only thing that can do that is the jolt
itself. The energy that sparked the imagination of the kids that are… me, you
know, the Justin Timberlake’s, we’re all products of this. So the only
person that can put that jolt back in.. that monstrosity of entertainment and
music is the one who created that."

That man is Michael Jackson.