Michael Jackson - Invincible (Picture Disc Vinyl) [2LP]

Personnel includes: Michael Jackson (vocals, various instruments, programming); Notorious B.I.G., Fats (rap vocals); Baby Rubba, Prince Johnson, Chris Tucker (spoken vocals): Teddy Riley (various instruments, background vocals); Rodney Jerkins, Andre Harris, Dr. Freeze (various instruments); Carlos Santana, Rick Williams, Michael Thompson, Michael Landau (guitar); Norman Jeff Bradshaw, Matt Cappy (horns); Brad Buxer (keyboards, programming); John "JR" Robinson, Gerald Hayword, Emanuel "Bucket" Baker (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Brandy, Richard Stites, LaShawn Daniels, Mario Vasquez, Mary Brown, Scotty Haskell, Andrew Snyder, Melissa Mackay, Monique Donally, Rose Beatty, James Lively, Aley Martinez (background vocals). Producers include: Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Teddy Riley, R. Kelly, Dr. Freeze. Engineers include: Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley, Rodney Jerkins. "You Rock My World" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The question for a 42-year-old Michael Jackson heading towards the end of 2001 was whether or not the self-proclaimed King Of Pop could make his presence known on the charts after having spent much of the '90s laying low. If the chart-topping position achieved by INVINCIBLE is any indication, then the answer is a resounding yes. The album is primarily produced by Jersey wunderkind Rodney Jerkins, and Jacko wasted no time tapping other top-flight artists and knob-twirlers to help out, including Teddy Riley, Babyface and R.Kelly. Michael pulls out all the stops here, whether peppering the opener "Unbreakable" with his trademark falsetto and a posthumous rap from the Notorious B.I.G, or recruiting guitar great Carlos Santana to contribute some tasty playing to the Latin slow-burn of "Whatever Happens." Elsewhere, comedian Chris Tucker contributes some high speed patter to the groove-heavy, piano-driven hit single "You Rock My World," while gospel superstar Andrae Crouch and his choir provide harmonic firepower to the magically lush "Speech". Although MJ stops long enough to take a swipe at yellow journalists everywhere with "Privacy," he truly shines on "The Lost Children," a sweeping ode to his young fans everywhere.