Michael Jackson – Dangerous

Here we have an amazing 2LP album by Michael Jackson and this Europian pressing sounds great. The sound is fresh, airy, punchy and crispy.

This is my favourite album cover since I discovered the album in 2010

Original european pressing. Overall a great sound with full range and lots of fun! bought a used copy, it had some crackle but a decent cleaning cured most of that. I noticed sides 3 and 4 sound better, more dynamic, punchy and detailed than sides 1 and 2, anybody else notice this?

My matrix for the side 1 is 01465802 20 5A1

Dangerous is the eighth studio album by American pop singer Michael Jackson, released in November 1991 by Epic. In January 1989, the Bad world tour had come to the end, which made Jackson spent the whole year of 1990 in the recording sessions that would result in his new job, Dangerous.

In the parentheses from 1987-the year in which Bad was published- and 1991 had occurred several notable events: the fall of the Berlin Wall, the beginning of a new decade (the nineties), the disgrace of various genres -mainly the peculiar synthpop from the second half of the eighties, and disco -in freefall since Thriller-, being relieved by such innovative styles like hip hop, rap, break dance or alternative rock. Global successes -deserved or not- as harvesting by MC Hammer in 1990 with its main theme 'Can't Touch This' had completely subverted the music scene to the limit.

In that sense, a huge challenge was presented to Jackson: to find their own accommodation and style, adapting to new times ahead, without betraying nor its character as defined in the previous years, which catapulted him to the top, or his legacy. Difficult task.

For that purpose, Jackson took several decisions: firstly, he separated from his producer in the three previous albums, Quincy Jones, which was but a extremely risky bet, and being replaced by a very young Teddy Riley, an expert on street rhythms, very fashionable in the early 1990s, and Bill Bottrell. Secondly, going for the predominance of rhythm, to the detriment of the song lyrics, being the new jack swing the epitome of change pursued. And finally, a controversial (and superb, I must it it, everyday I find out a new hidden message inside the picture) cover for the album that gave the final product a superior artistic invoice.

Jackson was likely to fail in the attempt, but surprisingly, he succeeded. He created a new style for the decade as timeless as Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad, due to he managed to keep his trademark as he only was able to do it, apart from incorporating the most striking and brilliant new chords to his repertoire.

In fact, the double album consists of fourteen new tracks, nine of which went on to become singles, selling at the time about thirty-two million copies worldwide. As in his previous album, Dangerous was promoted globally through a world tour, which lasted two years, until 1993, earning a Grammy Award for Bruce Swedien and Bill Bottrell.

To highlight the opening music video album, Black or white, which became relevant for the use of the most modern video techniques existing at the time (Morphing), and ascended to number one on the Billboard soon afterwards was viewed on many countries simultaneously; the setting based on ancient Egypt in the Time (the closest example of similarity with Quincy Jones’ style in the album), the unique duo playing basketball between two aces in their respective areas (Michael Jordan and Michael Jackson) in Jam, the artistic greatness of the film In the Closet, the virtuosity of the song of peace on earth Heal the World and gospel energy reflected in Will You Be There and Keep the Faith. The emotional tribute to the figure of Ryan White in Gone Too Soon. The unusual rock topic of Give in to Me. The impeccable cinematic grandeur and drama presented in Who is it. And, as a backdrop, the best album closing imaginable: Dangerous (his live performance in 1993 was one of the most incredible I’ve ever seen in my life. Incomprehensible its exclusion as a single.

Two factors helped to Dangerous to surround back the top spot on the charts, two years after its release: Jackson's performance at the Superbowl 1993 (one of the best in the history of this sporting event) and his interview with Oprah Winfrey, the first since 1979. The guitarist Slash, from Gun’s & Roses and the rapper Heavy D collaborated with him in the musical section, among others. Although, in my opinion, I would have replaced either Can not Let Her get away or Why You Wanna Trip on Me (the weakest of Dangerous, undoubtedly) for 'Monkey Business', later released in 2004 on the compilation' The Ultimate Collection '. In any case, definitely, his most creative and original album and of course, one of the best in the nineties.

Graphically, I will evaluate the tracks of Dangerous, on a scale with reference to the global average of the album (5 out of five stars), placing first the most exceptional, and in the last position, the less prominent, according to my musical criteria (in fact, it's such a difficult matter and extremely difficult to discriminate between songs which took part in a exceptional album like this that I might be wrong):
Dangerous, Who Is It, the Time, Black or White, Jam, Heal the World, Will you Be There, Give in to Me, In the Closet, Keep the Faith, Gone Too Soon/AVERAGE of ‘Dangerous’/She Drives Me Wild, Why You Wanna Trip on Me, Can’t Let Her Get Away.

In 1993, Michael Jackson could be satisfied with himself. He had plateaued and broken barriers, with worldwide recognition. And his image was, despite his eccentricities, already visible at that stage of his life, universally acclaimed. But from the month of August of that year, with his first legal implication for child abuse, nothing would be the same for him. Sadly for him. So, would it be able to recover from this blow with a new punch line? That was the question. And it will be reflected in my next review.