Brad Buxer, Teddy Riley, Rodney Jerkins, Michael Prince - they were the best people to work with after DangerousBrad Buxer was the best person to work with MJ after Dangerous. He doesn't get enough mainstream appreciation.
Buxer also did "Hollywood", "The Way You Love Me" and a dozen other demos for "Invincible". Ultimately, MJ took the decision to keep these two songs (probably because he didn't have time to finish the other songs). Brad Buxer did the music for it (MJ came up with the parts/lyrics) but he even agreed that thoses were terrible songsIt’s important to remember that “Speechless” and “The Lost Children,” two of the album’s most divisive songs, were Brad’s only major contributions to the final track listing. Are we really about to keep them at the expense of “Whatever Happens,” “Butterflies,” “You Rock My World,” “Unbreakable,” and “Break of Dawn” (among others)?
I love Brad and agree that he should’ve been given more placements on Invincible. But the collaborators weren’t the album’s problem—each and every one of them made great songs at some point with MJ. The song selection just didn’t measure up.
Feels like Brad was a big salty taking into account he didn’t do anything notable in his career outside of collaborating with MJIt had to do mainly with a lack of chemistry/family feel when they were making the 'Invincible' album.
Engineer Brad Sundberg has already explained what happened during the 'Invincible' album sessions:
"Gary, being 100% openly biased, I agree about 'Dangerous', 'HIStory' and 'Bad'. (I worked on all of them). I really tried to like 'Invincible', but here's my take on it.
The previous 5 or 6 projects had a family of people working on them: Quincy, Rod, Bruce, Billy, Teddy, Matt, Brad B, Eddie, me, etc. Sure, there were changes in team players, etc., but there was this core group for many years. There was laughter, food, jokes, fun. I spoke to a couple of the guys that worked on 'Invincible', and that "family feel" was gone. It was just Rodney [Jerkins], who (I am told) was not terribly easy to work with. It might sound crazy, but when people enjoy working, eating and being together, you can hear it in the music. 'Invincible' lacked a family." (Brad Sundberg)
Brad Sundberg made that revelation to Gary Crocker (owner of the now-defunct 'MaxJax: HIStory Continues' online fan forum).
Funny enough, those two songs are MJ's only major contributions to the album.It’s important to remember that “Speechless” and “The Lost Children,” two of the album’s most divisive songs, were Brad’s only major contributions to the final track listing.
Some of those can be kept, but they're not really impressive.Are we really about to keep them at the expense of “Whatever Happens,” “Butterflies,” “You Rock My World,” “Unbreakable,” and “Break of Dawn” (among others)?
Brad himself has said he didn't like The Lost Children.It’s important to remember that “Speechless” and “The Lost Children,” two of the album’s most divisive songs, were Brad’s only major contributions to the final track listing.
I mean, with what we know about the Invincible sessions, I don't really see how what he is saying is wrong.Feels like Brad was a big salty taking into account he didn’t do anything notable in his career outside of collaborating with MJ
It wasn't just Rodney, that's a bit of an oversimplification. They had quite a lot of fun apparently. It was just a different group, is all. And, not that it means anything exactly, but it was less racially diverse perhaps as well. Predominantly all black people.I mean, with what we know about the Invincible sessions, I don't really see how what he is saying is wrong.
Brad wasn't gonna be the new Quincy.
And you know this how?He didn't need to be. Brad was just the only person who MJ actually worked with, as opposed to just lying back and making him do all the work for him.
I'm sure when MJ actually bothered to turn up they had fun, yeah. I just think Brad is correct about it not being as connected of an experience. I also don't think it was much to do with Rodney, not sure why he felt the need to say that tbh.It wasn't just Rodney, that's a bit of an oversimplification. They had quite a lot of fun apparently. It was just a different group, is all. And, not that it means anything exactly, but it was less racially diverse perhaps as well. Predominantly all black people.
He also said he wasn't particularly fond of Heal The World, I'm pretty sure. So what? Not everyone's favourite genre of music is this kind of innocent, "heal the planet", "change the world"- type ballad. Brad has said that he much more likes to listen to "darker stuff" like e.g. In The Back.Brad himself has said he didn't like The Lost Children.
I like all those, and TWYLM is way better than both. Have you never listened to the Beach Boys?The way you love me is a poor cotton candy type of song in the style of girlfriend or carousel just not as good.
Dude.... Pet Sounds is my jam , man!!I like all those, and TWYLM is way better than both. Have you never listened to the Beach Boys?
He doesn't know Rodney, that's pretty much why. And personally preferred it the old fashioned wayI'm sure when MJ actually bothered to turn up they had fun, yeah. I just think Brad is correct about it not being as connected of an experience. I also don't think it was much to do with Rodney, not sure why he felt the need to say that tbh.
I actually preferred the Neff-U version. It sounds better with the organic piano. But it's at least a nice little ditty. It's just nice to hear latter day MJ singing happy stuff.Dude.... Pet Sounds is my jam , man!!
The way you love me is not on the same level as anything I've heard. MJ has so much more stronger tracks.
If you like it though then that's totally fine
I can see him personally missing the way it used to be, yeah.He doesn't know Rodney, that's pretty much why. And personally preferred it the old fashioned way
MJ himself would be the primary producer lol. Brad Buxer is just one of the people who MJ could work with without being overly dependent on.I don’t think passiveness is a good quality for a primary producer.
Well, MJ was very dependant of Brad Buxer. He brought his ideas to life by actually recording real demos, that later would turn into final songs. The term "collaborator" would be an understatement IMO, "co-producer/co-writer" would be more appropriate. Seeing those Sundberg videos (TDCaU choir sessions) shows that Buxer was really a conductor/producer, shows the parts to the crew. It doesn't take away anything from MJ's writing skills, though.Bruce Swedien mixed and recorded plenty of the tracks on Invincible.
MJ himself would be the primary producer lol. Brad Buxer is just one of the people who MJ could work with without being overly dependent on.