Michael Jackson left behind an incredible amount of music, a lot of it not really known by the masses. Here are some favorite unreleased MJ tunes, obscure collaborations, and other goodies!
This early version of “Mama’s Pearl” features completely different lyrics and is absolutely hilarious!
Mama’s Pearl only Different
Teenage Symphony
Michael Jackson & LL Cool J “Serious Effect”
for the Dangerous album features a guest verse from LL Cool J. The song was almost released as part of the deluxe edition of Dangerous in 2001.
Kenny Loggins “Who’s Right, Who’s Wrong”
Michael only sings background vocals on this song, but it’s still a great tune!
LaToya Jackson “Night Time Lover”
Michael wrote, produced, and sings background vocals on this song that from LaToya’s 1980 self-titled debut album. The song was originally written for Donna Summer.
Michael Jackson “Carousel”
The full version of this song is kinda difficult to come by… legally. A snippet was included on the 2001 remaster of Thriller (the song was intended for the album, but ultimately replaced by “Human Nature”). However, the full version was eventually released only on a special edition of the French version of his 2008 King Of Pop compilation. The King Of Pop compilation received diffeent tracklists in each country it was released in, and fans in each country voted for the tracklist. Only the French were smart enough to ask for the full version of this gem.
Michael Jackson & Freddie Mercury “State Of Shock”
Michael Jackson worked with Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, off and on from 1981 to 1983. One of the songs they recorded together was an early version of “State Of Shock.” The song was eventually reworked in 1984 for The Jacksons’ Victory album and Mercury was replaced by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.
Dave Mason “Save Me”
In 1980, rocker Dave Mason teamed up with Michael for this duet from his Old Crest On A New Wave album. The Jackson 5 frequently covered Mason’s composition “Feelin’ Alright” in concert.
Michael Jackson “Love Never Felt So Good”
Michael Jackson wrote this song with Paul Anka and Kathy Wakefield and recorded this sparse vocal and piano demo. The song was eventually recorded and released by Johnny Mathis on his 1984 album, A Special Part Of Me.
Michael Jackson “Starlight”
I won’t give it away, but this unreleased song went through a few lyric and rythmn changes before it became one of Michael’s most well-known songs…
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Actress Vonetta McGee Dead After Heart Failure!
Vonetta McGee, who starred in “Blacula,” “Shaft in Africa” and “Thomasine and Bushrod,” died last Friday at a hospital in Berkeley after suffering cardiac arrest and spending two days on life support, The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. She was 65.
Family spokeswoman Kelley Nayo told The Times that although McGee had been diagnosed as a teenager with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, her death was unrelated to the disease.
As word of her death began to circulate Thursday, postings began showing up on a Facebook fan page, as well as on Twitter and the blogosphere.
In addition to starring with actors Richard Roundtree in “Shaft in Africa” (1973) and Max Julien in “Thomasine & Bushrod” (1974), McGee also appeared with Fred Williamson in “Hammer” and Clint Eastwood in “The Eiger Sanction,” an action thriller.
"I was pleased to see her get a role with Clint Eastwood," said Williamson, who knew McGee before they made "Hammer," told the Times. "Not many black actors had that opportunity to be in a movie where color doesn't matter,”
"Vonetta McGee was like a lot of actors and actresses at that time, like myself, Jim Brown, Richard Roundtree, Billy Dee Williams and Pam Grier, in that we had more talent than we were allowed to show because everything was perceived as a black project," Williamson said. "Once they categorize you, your marketability becomes limited."
Vonetta's film credits include the following:
• Johnny B. (1998)
• The Man Next Door (1996)(Tv Movie)
• Cagney & Lacey: The Return (1994)(TV Movie)
• Wonderworks: You Must Remember This (1992)(TV Movie)
• Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo (1992)(TV Movie)
• Stormy Weathers (1992)(TV Movie)
• Wonderworks: Brother Future (1991)(TV Movie)
• To Sleep with Anger (1990)
• Hell Town (1985)(TV Movie)
• Repo Man (1984)
• Scruples (1981)(TV Movie)
• Superdome (1978)(TV Movie)
• Woo fook (1977)
• Brothers (1977)
• The Eiger Sanction (1975)
• Thomasine & Bushrod (1974)
• Detroit 9000 (1973)
• Shaft in Africa (1973)
• The Norliss Tapes (1973)(TV Movie)
• Hammer (1972)
• Blacula (1972)
• Melinda (1972)
• Crucified Girls Of San Ramon (1972)
• The Kremlin Letter (1970)
• The Lost Man (1969)
• Faustina (1968)
• The Big Silence (1968)
Vonetta has been married to actor Carl Lumbly since 1987 and they have one child.
The couple married in 1986 and had a son, Brandon, two years later.
In addition to her husband and son, she is survived by her mother, Alma McGee; three brothers, Donald, Richard and Ronald McGee; and a sister, Alma McGee.
Thoughts of Vonetta………By Her Brother!
Her brother left this note on her imdb page:
My sister did pass away this past week, thank you all for the strong positive feelings, I didn't know these posts existed. As beautiful as she was on the outside she was even more beautiful on the inside, a force of nature.
I'll try to answer some of the questions posted
1. She was born in 1945, not 1940.
2. She did go to Italy and became famous over there first, I can remember us being chased down the streets by fans.
3. Her first actual appearance on film was a walk on role in "Guess who's coming to Dinner", uncredited, at the airport, in 2 spots. Sidnet Poitier connected her with people in italy.
4. She did not do any other italian westerns besides the "Big silence".
5. Both of our parents are Black, all of our Grandparents are black.
6. Yes her first name really is Lawrence, my mother's sense of humor I guess.
7. She stopped acting to raise their son.
Thank You All
Rick McGee
Family spokeswoman Kelley Nayo told The Times that although McGee had been diagnosed as a teenager with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, her death was unrelated to the disease.
As word of her death began to circulate Thursday, postings began showing up on a Facebook fan page, as well as on Twitter and the blogosphere.
In addition to starring with actors Richard Roundtree in “Shaft in Africa” (1973) and Max Julien in “Thomasine & Bushrod” (1974), McGee also appeared with Fred Williamson in “Hammer” and Clint Eastwood in “The Eiger Sanction,” an action thriller.
"I was pleased to see her get a role with Clint Eastwood," said Williamson, who knew McGee before they made "Hammer," told the Times. "Not many black actors had that opportunity to be in a movie where color doesn't matter,”
"Vonetta McGee was like a lot of actors and actresses at that time, like myself, Jim Brown, Richard Roundtree, Billy Dee Williams and Pam Grier, in that we had more talent than we were allowed to show because everything was perceived as a black project," Williamson said. "Once they categorize you, your marketability becomes limited."
Vonetta's film credits include the following:
• Johnny B. (1998)
• The Man Next Door (1996)(Tv Movie)
• Cagney & Lacey: The Return (1994)(TV Movie)
• Wonderworks: You Must Remember This (1992)(TV Movie)
• Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo (1992)(TV Movie)
• Stormy Weathers (1992)(TV Movie)
• Wonderworks: Brother Future (1991)(TV Movie)
• To Sleep with Anger (1990)
• Hell Town (1985)(TV Movie)
• Repo Man (1984)
• Scruples (1981)(TV Movie)
• Superdome (1978)(TV Movie)
• Woo fook (1977)
• Brothers (1977)
• The Eiger Sanction (1975)
• Thomasine & Bushrod (1974)
• Detroit 9000 (1973)
• Shaft in Africa (1973)
• The Norliss Tapes (1973)(TV Movie)
• Hammer (1972)
• Blacula (1972)
• Melinda (1972)
• Crucified Girls Of San Ramon (1972)
• The Kremlin Letter (1970)
• The Lost Man (1969)
• Faustina (1968)
• The Big Silence (1968)
Vonetta has been married to actor Carl Lumbly since 1987 and they have one child.
The couple married in 1986 and had a son, Brandon, two years later.
In addition to her husband and son, she is survived by her mother, Alma McGee; three brothers, Donald, Richard and Ronald McGee; and a sister, Alma McGee.
Thoughts of Vonetta………By Her Brother!
Her brother left this note on her imdb page:
My sister did pass away this past week, thank you all for the strong positive feelings, I didn't know these posts existed. As beautiful as she was on the outside she was even more beautiful on the inside, a force of nature.
I'll try to answer some of the questions posted
1. She was born in 1945, not 1940.
2. She did go to Italy and became famous over there first, I can remember us being chased down the streets by fans.
3. Her first actual appearance on film was a walk on role in "Guess who's coming to Dinner", uncredited, at the airport, in 2 spots. Sidnet Poitier connected her with people in italy.
4. She did not do any other italian westerns besides the "Big silence".
5. Both of our parents are Black, all of our Grandparents are black.
6. Yes her first name really is Lawrence, my mother's sense of humor I guess.
7. She stopped acting to raise their son.
Thank You All
Rick McGee
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Facebook (59) | Jazz Trombonist, Jimmy Wilkins
Facebook (59) | Jazz Trombonist, Jimmy Wilkins: "Members:
Jimmy Wilkins' impressive portfolio includes 36 years fronting a big band in Detroit, and countless sessions with Motown artists such as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and Junior Walker. On the jazz side Jimmy has worked with Clark Terry, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.Genre:
Big Band JazzHometown:
Currently living in Las VegasRecord Label:
None"
Jimmy Wilkins' impressive portfolio includes 36 years fronting a big band in Detroit, and countless sessions with Motown artists such as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and Junior Walker. On the jazz side Jimmy has worked with Clark Terry, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.Genre:
Big Band JazzHometown:
Currently living in Las VegasRecord Label:
None"
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