Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary - Estate Announcement Page 66

Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Remember a few years ago when Quincy Jones was planning to spearhead a re-release of Off The Wall that never happened? I really hope that he'll at least have some involvement with this upcoming documentary if he's healthy enough. It was really unfortunate that he couldn't appear in Bad 25, but it had already been established by the time Bad was originally released how well they worked together. Off The Wall wouldn't have even been possible if Q and MJ didn't meet on the set of The Wiz, so if he can't/won't be able to participate in a documentary about the album it would just feel so much emptier. I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed that he'll be fit enough to give an interview this time around.

Judging by Quincy's REAL opinion about MJ, he should not be allowed near any MJ product ever again imo (I don't mind archive footage or original music, but nothing newly produced by him).

And his opinion was the only reason to not include him in Bad25 (only archive footage), not because of his health. That was my impression anyway.
 
Last edited:
‘Off The Wall’ Anniversary Edition

Tuesday, March 3rd 2009

Sony BMG have confirmed to us that they will be releasing a 30th Anniversary edition of Michael’s classic ‘Off The Wall’ album.

The new expanded album has got an initial release date of August 2009 in the UK, but this is subject to change.

Similar to ‘Thriller 25′ last year, there are plans to include brand new remixes of some of the original tracks as well as unreleased material. In preparation for the release, michaeljackson.com has recently been re-designed with an ‘Off The Wall’ feel.

‘Off The Wall’ was original released in the UK on September 29th, 1979 and in America on August 10th, 1979. The album was Michael’s first solo album with Epic Records after leaving Motown in 1977. It was also his first collaboration with Quincy Jones after meeting him during filming for ‘The Wiz’. ‘Off the Wall’ also became the biggest selling album of all time by a black artist, until that record was smashed by Michael’s next album ‘Thriller’. It is estimated that it has sold over twenty million copies worldwide to date.

Source: mjworld.net
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Quincy is old and I don't think he still produces.

As for interviews. He was an important part of OTW, so a documentary on the album without him would not feel right. On the other hand, I did not like some of his recent comments and actions re. Michael. Also I have seen him in other recent interviews and I can't help but feel he is a little senile. If there are older interviews from Q about OTW that would probably be better. But then I do not know what's the legal situation between him and the Estate now - we do not hear much from his lawsuit. If they managed to solve the matter out of court that would be good.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

If Quincy is in the new documentary (not archive footage), I want subtitles.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Why post an old article?

To show that the Anniversary Edition was indeed planned, and that remixes were intended for it...
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

And a sick bag and darts to throw at the t.v. spikes two faced b.s is bad enough
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

For the first time i wouldn't be too excited about an upcoming project.
I'm more for DANGEROUS 25th or even HIStory 20th (though HIStory 25th would be more in line & would make more sense to me).

I just think, as a re release or anniversary OTW the album & the era has not the same potential as all other albums, from Thriller through Invincible.
Simply going by my own opinion on available outtakes & footage from that era.
Also there are only 3 songs written by MJ (DSTYGE, WDAN & GOTF).

OTW, as much respect & love it get's (although it highly earned it) to me it's the least michaelish of all his albums. Though of course it has some of the all time great tracks (DSTYGE, RWY, OTW...) it's just not as much a typical MJ album (the themes, the sound, the signature style, etc.) everything is not as developed as in the later ones...

Of course, please don't let me rain on the parade, it's all just MY opinion. And it would be the first time i'm not THAT excited. But maybe the groove will come around for me too.

My DREAM re release would be DANGEROUS. (Maybe) my favorite album of all time. I think you could make so much of that album. The Cover alone... OMG!
The (by the public) undiscovered songs, like WII...
The all together undiscovered songs, like Men In Black.
The short films, the tour. His looks, the clothing, the panther dance, Heal the world (his donations & the foundation), Keep The Faith... OMG OMG!
 
Last edited:
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

For the first time i wouldn't be too excited about an upcoming project.
I'm more for DANGEROUS 25th or even HIStory 20th (though HIStory 25th would be more in line & would make more sense to me).

I just think, as a re release or anniversary OTW the album & the era has not the same potential as all other albums, from Thriller through Invincible.
Simply going by my own opinion on available outtakes & footage from that era.
Also there are only 3 songs written by MJ (DSTYGE, WDAN & GOTF).

OTW, as much respect & love it get's (although it highly earned it) to me it's the least michaelish of all his albums. Though of course it has some of the all time great tracks (DSTYGE, RWY, OTW...) it's just not as much a typical MJ album (the themes, the sound, the signature style, etc.) everything is not as developed as in the later ones...

Of course, please don't let me rain on the parade, it's all just MY opinion. And it would be the first time i'm not THAT excited. But maybe the groove will come around for me too.

My DREAM re release would be DANGEROUS. (Maybe) my favorite album of all time. I think you could make so much of that album. The Cover alone... OMG!
The (by the public) undiscovered songs, like WII...
The all together undiscovered songs, like Men In Black.
The short films, the tour. His looks, the clothing, the panther dance, Heal the world (his donations & the foundation), Keep The Faith... OMG OMG!

We're talking about 2015, not 2016.. i'm sure Dangerous 25th will come.. there's more than enough material.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

2009. Michael Jackson's This Is It (album)
2010. Michael Jackson's Vision
2010. Michael
2011. Immortal (album)
2012. Bad 25
2014. Xscape

2014./2015. Off The Wall 35
2015. Thriller 3D
201?. HIStory Tour 3D
201?. Third posthumous album of previously unreleased tracks?

We have 3 announced projects by various sources (Off The Wall Documentary, Thriller 3D, HIStory Tour 3D). So if they are really planning Off The Wall re-release, that leaves us with only one unknown project by the end of 2017 contract with Sony. My guess is that that project will be another Xscape-type album with previously unreleased material and my guess is that it will be released in late 2016 or early 2017 so that they have enough time to promote it.

Few months ago when we were talking about remaining projects I said that those projects will be HIStory Tour 3D, Off The Wall re-release, album of previously unreleased material and Greatest Hits box set. I also said that there won't be Dangerous or HIStory re-releases. If the rumour about Off The Wall 35 is real, then my prediction was right. Although I didn't predict Thriller 3D which will happen in 2015. I'm hoping that the last project won't be Greatest Hits, but another album of previously unreleased material.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Tbh id be surprised if they did anything post bad. As theres an obsession with thinking mj did nothing after those releases
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Tbh id be surprised if they did anything post bad. As theres an obsession with thinking mj did nothing after those releases

It's not that. Estate knows how valuable and great those later works are. But those releases would not be commercially attractive for Epic. And let's face it - that's true. People are just that way, they are not interested in MJ post Bad and the media is the one who should be blamed. Even Bad 25 struggled on the charts. But Thriller 25 was a success. And I'm sure Off The Wall will be too. It's just free promo that all the media will be praising its release and the people will buy it. All post Bad re-releases (especially HIStory) would be trashed by the media. We'll have to wait for collector label before we see Dangerous and HIStory (and Invincible) re-releases in my opinion.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Great news. I loved the bad25 doc, and i loved the fact it wasn't just used as a project for fans but was a documentary that was sold to tv stations around the world and so got a really wide audience. Atrocious that it's up to mj's estate to commission these type of docs, whilst all we get from the media are docs on his death, plastic surgery etc.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Exactly. like i said theres an obsession with downplaying anything post bad. especially by the U.S media. whether the estate/sony will ignore that i doubt because theres only x amount of releases par the contract and the thought is that the money is to be made from the time when it was ok to like mj. so unfortunatly imo sony/estate will play to that belief. time will tell over the years if they move onto the later work. which they probably will but only when thriller etc has been milked to death.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Exactly. like i said theres an obsession with downplaying anything post bad. especially by the U.S media. whether the estate/sony will ignore that i doubt because theres only x amount of releases par the contract and the thought is that the money is to be made from the time when it was ok to like mj. so unfortunatly imo sony/estate will play to that belief. time will tell over the years if they move onto the later work. which they probably will but only when thriller etc has been milked to death.

Their job is to make money. They can create the best Dangerous re-release ever and promote it like hell and subpar re-release of Off The Wall with no promotion and Off The Wall will outsell Dangerous. Like I said, media is the one who should be blamed and gullible record buying people. Epic (and any other record company) will release what they think it's most profitable. Estate can't force them to release anything.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Exactly. like i said theres an obsession with downplaying anything post bad. especially by the U.S media. whether the estate/sony will ignore that i doubt because theres only x amount of releases par the contract and the thought is that the money is to be made from the time when it was ok to like mj. so unfortunatly imo sony/estate will play to that belief. time will tell over the years if they move onto the later work. which they probably will but only when thriller etc has been milked to death.

It's not Thriller though. It's Off The Wall and I don't think it has been milked to death. In fact, there was no 25th or 30th or 35th anniversary release of OTW, so IMO it's hight time they do something with it.

MJ fanbase is diverse and thus difficult. I have seen people complaining that the Estate only wants to deal with projects post Thriller where MJ's skin was lighter and thus he more appeals to white people bla-bla-bla. I do not agree with this complaint, but there always seems to be some kind of friction between the part of the fan base who prefer MJ post Thriller and those who prefer him before. Someone always complains about any era that is picked in a project, so they are damned anything they do.

To MJ is MJ from the J5 to This Is It and I enjoy all of his eras almost equally. They are all different but that just makes him more exciting and interesting. But all of his eras have something that I love as a fan. OTW is no exception.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I have seen people complaining that the Estate only wants to deal with projects post Thriller where MJ's skin was lighter and thus he more appeals to white people bla-bla-bla.

Yeah, I've seen that too. But from Charles Thompson and other crazy conspiracy theorists. Hahaha. Those people are insane.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

It's not Thriller though. It's Off The Wall and I don't think it has been milked to death. In fact, there was no 25th or 30th or 35th anniversary release of OTW, so
IMO it's hight time they do something with it.*

---------------------------

yes you are totally right. OTW is quite an unknown gem to some with it been the oldest adult solo release. there is so much that can be done.im just talking about the general mentality of everything post bad been downplayed.

yes of course its about making money onir. but it would be intresting to see what money is actually made from the different releases and whether that agenda of negativity towards post bad pushed by the media is actually true. especially when u consider the success of those post bad releases world wide. but of course its very U.S egocentric
 
Last edited:
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

If there is an OTW anniversary campaing I wish if they'd also draw some attention on the Triumph and Destiny albums. Those are real hidden gems. Probably not happening though. If there is OTW re-release the focus would probably be solely on that album (although Destiny/Triumph tours are related to that era).
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

If there is an OTW anniversary campaing I wish if they'd also draw some attention on the Triumph and Destiny albums. Those are real hidden gems. Probably not happening though. If there is OTW re-release the focus would probably be solely on that album (although Destiny/Triumph tours are related to that era).

Hmmm....made me think...I know it wouldn't happen, but maybe the ideal re-release would be:

MICHAEL JACKSON - DECADES

1970's - Destiny, Triumph CDs with demos, unreleased tracks. The Triumph Tour DVD. The Wiz DVD. Off The Wall CD (an updated 2001 reissue)

1980's - Thriller, Bad 2001 reissue updates, Victory Tour DVD, Bad Tour DVD, Making of Thriller DVD, Moonwalker with unreleased footage

1990's - Dangerous & HIStory with demos & unreleased tracks, Ghosts DVD inc. making of. Dangerous Short Films. HIStory DVD II. Dangerous Live.

2000's - Invincible with demos & unreleased tracks. MSG 30th Anniversary. This Is It with unreleased footage.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I'm still waiting for an official confirmation...
Did Spike re-tweet one of you guys lately?
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I'm happy that Off The Wall is getting attention, but one day I would love to see the non Quincy Jones produced albums get some attention.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I think with the current atmosphere in popular music where OTW's influence is so prelevant and also considering the fact that OTW anniversaries have so far been skipped, it actually makes a lot of sense to do an OTW anniversary.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

I think with the current atmosphere in popular music where OTW's influence is so prelevant and also considering the fact that OTW anniversaries have so far been skipped, it actually makes a lot of sense to do an OTW anniversary.

Indeed. It's the one that I feel is the only MJ album that is under-rated within the fan community.

I was listening to WDAN today and was so marvelled that he wrote & co-produced this and DSTYGE and Get On The Floor at 20 years old.

20 YEARS OLD!!! How is that funking possible???

I also love how it's the blue print for what became Thriller and then the evolution to Bad & then Dangerous. They truly are His Story.

Just for shits & giggles, this is OTW in quality order. By no means his perfect album, but for a twenty/twenty one year old nearing adulthood, it's a ****in' stunner.

"Workin' Day and Night"
"Off the Wall"
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
"She's Out of My Life"
"Rock with You"
"Get on the Floor"
"Burn This Disco Out"
"I Can't Help It"
"It's the Falling in Love"
"Girlfriend"
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Off The Wall was a very important part in Michael's career. It was his first step in moving away from his brothers and becoming his own man. Got To Be There was his first solo album, but to me Off The Wall was his real debut as a solo artist cause that's when he had creative control
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Off The Wall, absolutely does deserve to be commemorated with a deluxe release.. i just think the 40th anniversary is what they should hold off for! although i am hoping 2019 will be the year we see the unseen this is it footage.. hmm, anything is possible as there does need to be two projects in one year.. Thriller 3D & HIStory 20th would be best, but if Off The Wall replaces HIStory 20th.. i wouldn't be too gutted, as long as we see a Triumph/Destiny Tour release and get some of the unreleased cuts.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Sunset Driver should be released as a single. It fits in with the current trend that's going on now, and it's something that would be brand new to the general public
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Maybe it doesn't have to be an anniversary release? Maybe it's just a nod to one of the most influential albums to the sound of today's music? Hit songs now mostly have a nod to the Off The Wall sound.
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Indeed. It's the one that I feel is the only MJ album that is under-rated within the fan community.

Yes, I agree with that. Yes, Dangerous/HIStory/Invincible are underrated by the general public and we talk a lot about that, but I think OTW tends to be underrated by the hard core fan community which is equally sad.

BTW, if done well this could be made a success.

Get on the Floor and Workin' Day and Night were never released as singles, so how about releasing them now? Or at least GOTF. Club goers and DJs still go crazy about that song. It could be made a huge dance hit. And I don't think it needs to be remade, remixed or whatever - it's perfect as it is. It just needs a bit of promotion. Maybe a video (although videos since MJ's death have been underwhelming, but one can still hope for a good one LOL).
 
Re: Spike Lee announces Off The Wall Documentary

Maybe it doesn't have to be an anniversary release? Maybe it's just a nod to one of the most influential albums to the sound of today's music? Hit songs now mostly have a nod to the Off The Wall sound.

That reminds me. May 13th 2015 will be the one year anniversary of Xscape. I hope that the estate is planning something special for ''Xscape 1''
 
Back
Top