“There's no real objection to escapism, in the right places... We all want to escape occasionally. But science fiction is often very far from escapism, in fact you might say that science fiction is escape into reality... It's a fiction which does concern itself with real issues: the origin of man; our future. In fact I can't think of any form of literature which is more concerned with real issues, reality.”
― Arthur C. Clarke
Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall is a 2016 documentary film directed by Spike Lee, chronicling the rise of pop star Michael Jackson through the creation of his landmark solo album, Off the Wall. It is the second Michael Jackson-focused documentary Lee has made, after Bad 25 (2012). The film premiered on January 24, 2016 at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. wiki
A look at the life of the late pop star Michael Jackson from his early
days at Motown Records to the release of his hit 1979 album, Off the
Wall. imdb
Off the Wall is the fifth studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released on August 10, 1979 in the United States by Epic Records and internationally by CBS Records. It was his nineteenth album in total since Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1969), as well as his first album released through Epic Records, the label he would record on until his death roughly 30 years later. It was released following Jackson's critically well-received film performance in The Wiz. While working on that project, Jackson and Quincy Jones had become friends, and Jones agreed to work with Jackson on his next studio album.
Recording sessions took place between December 1978 and June 1979 at Allen Zentz Recording, Westlake Recording Studios, and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California. Jackson collaborated with a number of writers and performers, such as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Rod Temperton. Five singles were released from the album; three of the singles had music videos released. Jackson wrote three of the songs himself, including the number-one Grammy Award-winning single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".
The record was a departure from Jackson's previous work for Motown Records. Its lyrical themes on the record relate to escapism, liberation, loneliness, hedonism and romance. Several critics observed that Off the Wall was crafted from funk, disco, soft rock, Broadway and pop
ballads. Jackson received positive reviews for his vocal performance on
the record. The record gained critical acclaim and recognition, and won
the singer his first Grammy Award.
With Off the Wall, Jackson became the first solo artist to have four singles from the same album peak inside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
The album was an enormous commercial success; as of 2018, it is
certified eight times platinum in the United States and has reportedly
sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best selling albums of all time. On October 16, 2001, a special edition reissue of Off the Wall was released by Sony Records. It was re-released again on February 26, 2016.
Recent reviews by AllMusic and Blender have continued to praise Off the Wall for its appeal in the 21st century. Often considered one of the best disco albums of all time, the album was placed at number 68 on Rolling Stone list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" in 2003. The National Association of Recording Merchandisers listed it at number 80 on its list of the "Definitive 200 Albums of All Time". In 2008, Off the Wall was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. wiki
Black Uhuru is a Jamaican reggae group formed in 1972, initially as Uhuru (Swahili
for 'freedom'). The group has undergone several line-up changes over
the years, with Derrick "Duckie" Simpson as the mainstay. They had their
most successful period in the 1980s, with their album Anthem winning the first ever Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in1985.
The most successful of the second-generation reggae bands, Black Uhuru
maintained their high quality despite numerous personnel changes in
their 40-plus-year history. The first reggae band to win a Grammy award,
for their 1983 album Anthem, Black Uhuru was called "The most dynamic and progressive reggae act of the 1970s and early '80s."
With the addition of harmony singer Puma Jones,
an African-American woman who held a Master's degree from Columbia
University and was a former member of the female group Mama Africa in
1981, Black Uhuru entered their most commercially successful period. In addition to recording a memorable studio album, Red, and an exciting live album, Tear It Up, the group reached its peak with the release of Anthem
in 1983. Remixed and revised for release in the United States, the
remade version was re-released in Europe shortly afterwards. Although
the album received a Grammy, internal problems caused the band to
splinter the following year. Rose was replaced by soundalike Junior Reid. Jones and Reid remained with the band until 1989. Although Reid
left when visa problems prevented him from touring, Jones, who was
replaced by Olufunke, was forced to step down after being diagnosed with
cancer. She died on January 28, 1990, and was buried in her home state
of South Carolina. The original three members -- Simpson, Spencer, and Dennis -- reunited to record a trio album, Now, in 1990. They've continued to tour and perform in this configuration.
