Alex Jackson

A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.

After shocking the R&B world with 1986's Control – a gutsy, risk-taking triumph that was a radical departure from her first two albums – Michael and Jermaine Jackson's younger sister reached an even higher artistic plateau with the conceptual Rhythm Nation 1814. Once again, she enlists the help of Time graduates Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (one of the more soulful production/songwriting teams of 1980s and '90s R&B) with wildly successful results. In 1989, protest songs were common in rap but rare in R&B – Janet Jackson, following rap's lead, dares to address social and political topics on "The Knowledge," the disturbing "State of the World," and the poignant ballad "Living in a World" (which decries the reality of children being exposed to violence). Jackson's voice is wafer-thin, and she doesn't have much of a range – but she definitely has lots of soul and spirit and uses it to maximum advantage on those gems as well as nonpolitical pieces ranging from the Prince-influenced funk/pop of "Miss You Much" and "Alright" to the caressing, silky ballads "Someday Is Tonight," "Alone," and "Come Back to Me" to the pop/rock smoker "Black Cat." For those purchasing their first Janet Jackson release, Rhythm Nation would be an even wiser investment than Control – and that's saying a lot.

One of the finest studio musicians & lead guitarists in the history of jazz, Paul Jackson, Jr. is coming back to play! "Lay It Back" from Branch Records features the same smooth, urban approach to his signature guitar plucking style & charisma often shared throughout his previous 6 projects. His schedule is always full with participating on numerous deals, especially as music director for a host of televison programs & sitting in on hundreds of music sessions all over. Paul simply is keeping his passion for jazz alive with his 7th effort!

Even the funkiest funkateers take a breather now and then, and after so many releases slamming up the electric pace, it's fairly refreshing to find Alex Bugnon telling his Tales from the Bright Side with such admirable restraint. Make no mistake, there is bounce in between those flashy keyboard runs, but it tends to enhance the melodic invention, rather than decimate or obliterate it.

4 Destinies (2014). "4 Destinies" is the third album recorded by the Italian composer and progressive rock musician Alex Carpani. This album is based on four possible destinies that a man may find on his life path, so actually it's more or less a concept album. Apart from Carpani (lead vocals, keyboards) the album had been recorded with David Jackson (ex-Van der Graaf Generator, saxophones, flutes), Ettore Salati (ex-The Watch, Soul Engine, DAAL, The Red Zen, guitars), GB Giorgi (bass), Alessandro Di Caprio (drums) and Joe Sal (additional vocals). From time to time the music on the four tracks tends in the direction of the classic progressive rock of the seventies. Four destinies, four long tracks with many changes in rhythm and mood, very rich in ideas and musical colours well performed by an excellent team of musicians…

A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.