Artist: Michael Jackson
Title: Invincible
Genre: Pop, Electronic, R&B
Label: Epic Records, MJJ Productions
Release Date: 2011
Quality: High-Fidelity FLAC Stereo 96kHz/24bit
Source: Qobuz
Duration: 01:16:44
Recorded: October 1997 — August 2001
Let’s get the clichd bad joke out of the way to begin with: at the time Michael Jackson released Invincible in the fall of 2001, he hardly seemed “invincible” — it was more wishful thinking than anything else, since he hadn’t really had a genuine hit in ten years, and even that paled in comparison to his total domination of the ’80s. That lack of commercial success, combined with a fading reputation as a trailblazer, a truly ugly public scandal, and swirling rumors about his diminishing finances, along with a huge wait between albums (by teaming his Dangerous follow-up with a hits collection, it wound up being overlooked, despite a gaudy publicity push), resulted in Jackson being deep down in the hole, needing to surge back out with a record that not only proved his talents, but his staying power. So, faced with a make-or-break record, what did Jackson do to save his career? What he did since Dangerous, take a turn toward the street and craft a hard-driving, hard-polished urban soul album, heavy on the dance numbers and sweetened by lugubrious ballads. It’s a proven formula for commercial success, but it not only didn’t push his music forward, it made his reach seem rather timid when compared to the wildly rich, all-encompassing musical vision of Thriller and Bad. Here, he’s reined in by a desire to prove himself, so he keeps his focus sharp and narrow, essentially creating a sparkly, post-hip-hop update of Off the Wall. It’s not as good as that sounds, because the infectious joy and layered craft of that masterpiece have been replaced with a dogged, near-maniacal desire to craft something hip enough for the clubs and melodic enough for mainstream radio, thereby confirming his self-proclaimed status as the King of Pop (a really terrible title, btw). Since he was exceptionally talented and smart enough to surround himself with first-rate collaborators, this does pay off on occasion, even when it feels a little too calculated or when it feels a little padded. Ultimately, the record runs too long, losing steam halfway through, as it turns to a series of rants about “Privacy” or a deadly stretch of uncomfortably treacly, sub-“Man in the Mirror” songs about “The Lost Children,” or when he says that he can’t change the world by himself on “Cry.” Fortunately, Jackson was clever enough to front-load this record, loading the first seven songs with really good, edgy dance numbers — even the opening “Unbreakable” isn’t sunk by the creepy resurrection of Biggie Smalls — and lovely ballads, highlighted by “Break of Dawn” and “Butterflies” with its Bacharach-styled horns. Even if these are too self-conscious and a little mechanical (which they are), they still have a spark and sound better than anything Jackson had done since Dangerous. That’s not enough to make Invincible the comeback Jackson needed — he really would have had to have an album that sounded free instead of constrained for that to work — but it does offer a reminder that he could really craft good pop. If only he had been fueled, not constrained, by his obsessions, this could have been really interesting. –Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1 Unbreakable (feat. The Notorious B.I.G.) 6:25
2 Heartbreaker (feat. Fats) 5:10
3 Invincible (feat. Fats) 4:45
4 Break Of Dawn 5:32
5 Heaven Can Wait 4:49
6 You Rock My World 5:39
7 Butterflies 4:40
8 Speechless 3:18
9 2000 Watts 4:24
10 You Are My Life 4:33
11 Privacy (feat. Slash) 5:05
12 Don’t Walk Away 4:25
13 Cry 5:01
14 The Lost Children 4:00
15 Whatever Happens (feat. Carlos Santana) 4:56
16 Threatened 4:19
Credits
Show or hide text
1 Unbreakable
Backing Vocals [Additional] — Brandy (2)
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Paul Foley, Stuart Brawley
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, Rodney Jerkins, Stuart Brawley
Producer, Instruments — Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins
Rap — Notorious B.I.G., The*
Recorded By — Stuart Brawley
Written-By — Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Michael Jackson, Nora Payne, Robert Smith (17), Rodney Jerkins
Written-By [Rap] — McIntosh*, Eugene*, Nichol* 6:25
2 Heartbreaker
Backing Vocals — LaShawn Daniels, Michael Jackson, Mischke, Nora Payne
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Alex Greggs, Fabian Marasciullo, Stuart Brawley
Lead Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, Rodney Jerkins, Stuart Brawley
Producer, Programmed By [Music] — Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins
Rap — Fats (2)
Recorded By — Bruce Swedien, Stuart Brawley
Recorded By [Rap] — Bob Brown (5)
Written-By — Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Michael Jackson, Mischke, Norman Gregg, Rodney Jerkins 5:10
3 Invincible
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Stuart Brawley
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, Rodney Jerkins, Stuart Brawley
Producer, Programmed By [Music] — Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins
Rap — Fats (2)
Recorded By — Bruce Swedien, Stuart Brawley
Recorded By [Rap] — Bob Brown (5)
Written-By — Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Michael Jackson, Norman Gregg, Rodney Jerkins 4:45
4 Break Of Dawn
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Harvey Mason, Jr.*, Stuart Brawley
Instruments — Dr. Freeze, Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Teddy Riley
Lead Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — George Mayers, Humberto Gatica, Teddy Riley
Programmed By [Drum] — Brad Buxer, Michael Jackson
Recorded By — Brad Gilderman, Dexter Simmons, George Mayers, Humberto Gatica, Mike Ging
Written-By, Producer, Backing Vocals — Dr. Freeze, Michael Jackson 5:32
5 Heaven Can Wait
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor — Jeremy Lubbock
Backing Vocals [Additional] — Dr. Freeze, “Que”*
Co-producer — Andreao “Fanatic” Heard*, Nate Smith (3)
Edited By [Digital Editing] — George Mayers, Teddy Riley
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals — Michael Jackson
Producer — Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley
Recorded By, Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, George Mayers, Teddy Riley
Written-By — Andreao Heard, E. Laues*, K. Quilller, Michael Jackson, Nate Smith (3), T. Riley*, Teron Beal 4:49
6 You Rock My World
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Harvey Mason, Jr.*, Stuart Brawley
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, Rodney Jerkins
Producer, Instruments — Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins
Recorded By — Brad Gilderman, Dexter Simmons, Jean-Marie Horvat, Rodney Jerkins, Stuart Brawley
Voice [Intro] — Chris Tucker (2), Michael Jackson
Written-By — Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Michael Jackson, Nora Payne, Rodney Jerkins 5:39
7 Butterflies
Backing Vocals — Marsha Ambrosius, Michael Jackson
Engineer [Assistant] — Vidal Davis
Horns — Norman Jeff Bradshaw*, Matt Cappy
Instruments — Andre Harris (2)
Lead Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien
Producer — Andre Harris (2), Michael Jackson
Recorded By — Andre Harris (2), Bruce Swedien
Written-By — Andre Harris (2), Marsha Ambrosius 4:40
8 Speechless
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor — Jeremy Lubbock, Michael Jackson
Choir [Andrae Crouch Singers] — Alfie Silas Durio, Alice Jean McRath, Andrae Crouch*, Angel Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Deborah Sharp-Taylor*, Geary Lanier Faggett*, Gloria Augustus, Harold Green (3), Howard McCrary, Johnnie Walker, Judy Gossett, Kevin Dorsey, Kristie Murden*, Laquentan Jordan, Linda McCrary, Marja Dozier, Maxi Anderson, Patrice Morris, Ron Taylor (2), Sam McCrary, Sandra Crouch, Sue Merriett, Tenika Johns, Tim Brown (7), Valerie Doby, Vonciele Faggett*, Yvonne Williams, Zandra Williams, Zaneta M. Johnson
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Brad Buxer, Stuart Brawley
Keyboards — Brad Buxer
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien
Recorded By — Brad Buxer, Bruce Swedien, Stuart Brawley
Viola — Novi Novoq*, Thomas Tally*
Violin — Gina Kronstadt, John Wittenberg, Kristin Fife*, Peter Kent (2), Robin Lorentz
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By, Lead Vocals — Michael Jackson 3:18
9 2000 Watts
Backing Vocals [Additional] — Teddy Riley
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, George Mayers, Teddy Riley
Producer — Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley
Programmed By [Keyboard Additional] — Brad Buxer, Michael Jackson
Recorded By, Edited By [Digital Editing] — George Mayers, Teddy Riley
Written-By — J. Henson, Michael Jackson, T. Riley*, Tyrese Gibson* 4:24
10 You Are My Life
Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Bass Guitar — Babyface
Arranged By [Strings] — Bill Meyers
Choir — Jason Edmonds, Lynne Fiddmont-Lindsey*, Nathan “N8″ Walton*, Tabia Ivery*
Engineer [Recorded And Mixed] — Paul Boutin
Engineer [Strings Assisted] — Steve Genewick
Engineer [Strings] — Tommy Vicari
Lead Vocals — Michael Jackson
Other [Production Coordinator] — Ivy Skoff
Producer, Backing Vocals — Babyface, Michael Jackson
Written-By — Babyface, Carole Bayer Sager, John McClain, Michael Jackson 4:33
11 Privacy
Arranged By [Strings] — David Campbell
Backing Vocals — LaShawn Daniels, Michael Jackson
Bass — Nathan East
Drums — Emanuel “Bucket” Baker*, Gerald Hayword*
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Harvey Mason, Jr.*, Paul Cruz
Guitar — Michael Thompson
Lead Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Jean-Marie Horvat, Rodney Jerkins
Producer — Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins
Recorded By — Brad Gilderman, Jean-Marie Horvat, Rodney Jerkins
Written-By — Bernard Bell*, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins 5:05
12 Don’t Walk Away
Co-producer, Backing Vocals [Additional] — Richard Stites
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, George Mayers, Teddy Riley
Producer — Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley
Recorded By, Edited By [Digital Editing] — George Mayers, Teddy Riley
Written-By — Michael Jackson, Reed Vertelney, Richard Carlton Stites*, T. Riley* 4:25
13 Cry
Drums — John “JR” Robinson*
Guitar — Michael Landau
Lead Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Michael Jackson, Mick Guzauski
Percussion — Paulinho Da Costa
Producer — Michael Jackson, R. Kelly
Programmed By [Keyboard], Drum Programming — Brad Buxer, Michael Jackson
Recorded By — Brad Gilderman, Humberto Gatica, Mike Ging
Written-By, Arranged By [Choir] — R. Kelly 5:01
14 The Lost Children
Choir [Youth Choir Members] — Aley Martinez, Andrew Snyder, Brandon Lucas, Brett Tattersol, Edie Lehmann Boddicker*, F. Sheridan, James Lively, Jonathon Hall, Jonathon Lucas, Justine Hall, Luana Jackman, Martha Cowan, Melissa Mackay, Micha Haupman, Monique Donally*, Ricky Lucchse*, Robert Bolyard, Rose Beatty, Sally Stevens, Scotty Haskell*
Conductor [Youth Choir] — Tom Bahler
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Brad Buxer, Stuart Brawley
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien
Narrator [Narrative] — Baby Rubba, Prince Jackson*
Programmed By [Keyboard] — Brad Buxer, Michael Jackson
Recorded By — Brad Buxer, Bruce Swedien, Stuart Brawley
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By — Michael Jackson 4:00
15 Whatever Happens
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor — Jeremy Lubbock
Backing Vocals [Additional] — Mario Vasquez (2), Mary Brown
Edited By [Digital Editing] — George Mayers, Teddy Riley
Guitar — Carlos Santana, Rick Williams
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals — Michael Jackson
Producer — Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley
Recorded By, Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, George Mayers, Teddy Riley
Whistle [Solo] — Carlos Santana, Stuart Brawley
Written-By — Geoffrey Williams, Gil Cang, J. Quay, Michael Jackson, T. Riley* 4:56
16 Threatened
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals — Michael Jackson
Mixed By — Bruce Swedien, Rodney Jerkins, Stuart Brawley
Narrator [Intro, Verse & Outro] — Rod Serling
Producer, Instruments — Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins
Recorded By, Edited By [Digital Editing] — Stuart Brawley
Written-By — Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins 4:19
Art Direction — Adam Owett, David Coleman (5), Nancy Donald
Design [Cover Design] — Steven Hankinson/Arnell Group
Edited By [Digital Editing] — Alex Greggs, Brad Buxer, Fabian Marasciullo, Harvey Mason, Jr.*, Paul Cruz, Rob Herrera, Stuart Brawley
Edited By, Engineer [Additional] — Michael Prince (2)
Engineer [Assistant] — Chris Carroll, Christine Tramontano, Craig Durrance, Dave Ashton, Franny Graham, Kevin Scott, Rob Herrera, Steve Genewick, Steve Robillard
Executive-Producer — Michael Jackson
Illustration — Uri Geller
Mastered By — Bernie Grundman
Photography By — Albert Watson
Recorded By, Mixed By — Brad Buxer, Brad Gilderman, Bruce Swedien, Dexter Simmons, George Mayers, Jean-Marie Horvat, Jon Gass, Mick Guzauski, Mike Ging, Paul Boutin, Rodney Jerkins, Stuart Brawley, Teddy Riley, Tommy Vicari
Track 1:
Recorded and mixed at The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Rap by The Notorious B.I.G. originally embodied on “I Can’t Stop The Reign” courtesy of Twism and Bad Boy/Arista.
Track 2:
Recorded at Marvin’s Room Studio, Los Angeles, mixed at The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Rap recorded at Darkchild Studios.
Track 3:
Recorded at Record Plant, Los Angeles, mixed at The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Rap recorded at Darkchild Studios.
Track 5:
Recorded at Future Recording Studios, Norfolk and The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Track 6:
Recorded at Sony Studios, New York and Record One, Los Angeles, mixed at Marvin’s Room, Los Angeles, mixed at The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Track 7:
Recorded at Touch of Jazz Studios, Philadelphia and Hit Factory, New York.
Track 9:
Recorded at Future Recording Studios, Nerfolk and The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Track 10:
Recorded and mixed at Brandon’s Way Recording
Strings recorded at Capitol Studios
Track 11:
Recorded at Sony Studios, New York, mixed at The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami
Track12:
Recorded at Future Recording Studios, Norfolk and The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Track 14:
Audio snippets from “The Twilight Zone” courtesy of CBS Broadcasting Inc.
Track 15:
Recorded at Future Recording Studios, Norfolk and The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Track 16:
Recorded at The Hit Factory/Criteria, Miami.
Audio snippets of Rod Serling courtesy of CBS Broadcasting Inc.
This song is especially dedicated to Rick Baker … The Guru of Special Effects.
Download Links :
http://www.nitroflare.com/view/5A1CFA1DC91DD05/MichaelJacks0nInvincible20019624.part1.rar
http://www.nitroflare.com/view/CCE3F5E8F5388AB/MichaelJacks0nInvincible20019624.part2.rar