Michael Jackson: The Stripped Mixes
Encyclopedia
The Stripped Mixes is a collection of American recording artist and former Jackson 5 member Michael Jackson
's classic songs. The songs featured on the album are mainly from Jackson's career as a member of the Jackson 5 from the 1960s to the 1980s; songs credited to Jackson as a solo artist are from his albums during his Motown-era. Other songs included on the album are "stripped" mixes of Jackson material, meaning the songs are of a quieter tone and most of the drums have been removed.
Following a surge in Jackson's popularity after his death in June 2009, it was confirmed on July 7, that The Stripped Mixes would be released. The album was made available as a digital download on July 7, 2009, and as a CD on July 28. A remixed song, entitled "I'll Be There (Minus Mix)", was released on iTunes
to promote the album on June 9, 2009, prior to Jackson's death. The Stripped Mixes was the second Jackson compilation album to be posthumously released, the first being The Collection
; which was released over two weeks prior. The Stripped Mixes received mixed reviews from music critics. The album was a moderate commercial success worldwide and had a better chart performance internationally than in the United States.
Insurance commercial featuring an acoustic version of the hit "I'll Be There", Motown released "I'll Be There (Minus Mix)" via iTunes on June 9, 2009, as a prelude to The Stripped Mixes. "I'll Be There (Minus Mix)" did not chart on any music charts. Shortly after Jackson's death in June 2009, his music experienced a surge in popularity, leading to re-issues of his music. Less than an hour after the memorial service for Jackson at the Staples Center
on July 7, 2009, Universal Music Group
announced The Stripped Mixes, a collection of Jackson's classic songs, would be released. The album features "stripped" mixes of Jackson's classic Motown
-era songs as well as songs recorded while he was a member of The Jackson 5
from the 1960s to the 1980s. The songs that are "stripped" on the album have backing instruments and some studio engineering removed to make the songs have a more acoustic sound. The Stripped Mixes was made available as a digital download on July 7, and as a compact disc on July 28, 2009.
in its debut week with sales of less than five thousand units. It charted at #43 on the R&B Albums Chart
in 2009, and moved up to #21 in 2010. Internationally, The Stripped Mixes was more successful commercially. The album charted within the top fifty in Belgium Flanders and Belgium Wallonia, peaking at #43 and #47 for five and seven weeks, respectively. The Stripped Mixes also charted at #75 in Mexico for one week before dropping out of the top 100.
for Allmusic gave The Stripped Mixes two out of a five-star rating, stating that he felt that "the logic of what is left behind doesn't quite make sense", pointing out that "I Want You Back" and "ABC" have no drums and "feel a little tipsy and top-heavy"; "Ben" and "With a Child's Heart" have echoes of strings in the background, making it hard to identify the songs as being "stripped". He added that since the genius lies in the arrangements, "having so much of the arrangement absent" means that the music "just sounds awkward and incomplete, as if it was waiting for the final round of mixing and overdubs." Erlewine's overall opinion on the album was "if the purpose of this disc is to draw attention to Michael's vocals, The Stripped Mixes does its job, but just because his voice is pushed front and center does not mean that this is the best place to appreciate his genius."
A writer for PR Newswire
praised the album, describing it as "showcasing" Jackson's vocal talent and viewed The Stripped Mixes as shining a "bright, fresh light" on Jackson's early career as both a solo artist and with his brothers in The Jackson 5. Natalie Salvo of TheDwarf.com.au commented that the album's song "Ain't No Sunshine
" made the album "personally" worth buying. She added that "the music does what it's supposed to do", which was "evoking the right mood but not being overly showy." Despite the praise, she did state that the album could be clinically looked at as a "element of bad taste" from a "greedy record company" and noted that it was "difficult" to "stop yourself being overcome with cynicism towards this album". Jeff Dorgay of Tone Publications described all of the album's tracks as being "quite strong" and added that "regardless of your interest in Michael Jackson" the The Stripped Mixes is a disc "you should have in your collection" because it offers a "rare look" at "classic" material by Jackson when he was just beginning his career.
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's classic songs. The songs featured on the album are mainly from Jackson's career as a member of the Jackson 5 from the 1960s to the 1980s; songs credited to Jackson as a solo artist are from his albums during his Motown-era. Other songs included on the album are "stripped" mixes of Jackson material, meaning the songs are of a quieter tone and most of the drums have been removed.
Following a surge in Jackson's popularity after his death in June 2009, it was confirmed on July 7, that The Stripped Mixes would be released. The album was made available as a digital download on July 7, 2009, and as a CD on July 28. A remixed song, entitled "I'll Be There (Minus Mix)", was released on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
to promote the album on June 9, 2009, prior to Jackson's death. The Stripped Mixes was the second Jackson compilation album to be posthumously released, the first being The Collection
The Collection (Michael Jackson album)
The Collection is a compilation box set by Michael Jackson released four days after his death, though its release was already scheduled before Jackson's passing. With the exception of HIStory, it contains all of Jackson's Epic studio albums. It has peaked at number one in several countries...
; which was released over two weeks prior. The Stripped Mixes received mixed reviews from music critics. The album was a moderate commercial success worldwide and had a better chart performance internationally than in the United States.
Concept
Due to the high popularity of a State FarmState farm
State farm can refer to:*Sovkhoz, a type of state-owned farm in the Soviet Union*Volkseigenes Gut, a type of state-owned farm in East Germany*Państwowe Gospodarstwo Rolne, a type of state-owned farm in People's Republic of Poland...
Insurance commercial featuring an acoustic version of the hit "I'll Be There", Motown released "I'll Be There (Minus Mix)" via iTunes on June 9, 2009, as a prelude to The Stripped Mixes. "I'll Be There (Minus Mix)" did not chart on any music charts. Shortly after Jackson's death in June 2009, his music experienced a surge in popularity, leading to re-issues of his music. Less than an hour after the memorial service for Jackson at the Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
on July 7, 2009, Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
announced The Stripped Mixes, a collection of Jackson's classic songs, would be released. The album features "stripped" mixes of Jackson's classic Motown
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
-era songs as well as songs recorded while he was a member of The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
from the 1960s to the 1980s. The songs that are "stripped" on the album have backing instruments and some studio engineering removed to make the songs have a more acoustic sound. The Stripped Mixes was made available as a digital download on July 7, and as a compact disc on July 28, 2009.
Commercial performance
The Stripped Mixes charted at a peak position of #95 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
in its debut week with sales of less than five thousand units. It charted at #43 on the R&B Albums Chart
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
in 2009, and moved up to #21 in 2010. Internationally, The Stripped Mixes was more successful commercially. The album charted within the top fifty in Belgium Flanders and Belgium Wallonia, peaking at #43 and #47 for five and seven weeks, respectively. The Stripped Mixes also charted at #75 in Mexico for one week before dropping out of the top 100.
Critical analysis
The Stripped Mixes generally received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. Writer Stephen Thomas ErlewineStephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
for Allmusic gave The Stripped Mixes two out of a five-star rating, stating that he felt that "the logic of what is left behind doesn't quite make sense", pointing out that "I Want You Back" and "ABC" have no drums and "feel a little tipsy and top-heavy"; "Ben" and "With a Child's Heart" have echoes of strings in the background, making it hard to identify the songs as being "stripped". He added that since the genius lies in the arrangements, "having so much of the arrangement absent" means that the music "just sounds awkward and incomplete, as if it was waiting for the final round of mixing and overdubs." Erlewine's overall opinion on the album was "if the purpose of this disc is to draw attention to Michael's vocals, The Stripped Mixes does its job, but just because his voice is pushed front and center does not mean that this is the best place to appreciate his genius."
A writer for PR Newswire
PR Newswire
PR Newswire started out in 1954 as a vendor hired by companies and agencies to send out text press releases to the media. Today, PR Newswire is hired by corporations, public relations firms and non-governmental organizations to deliver news and multimedia content...
praised the album, describing it as "showcasing" Jackson's vocal talent and viewed The Stripped Mixes as shining a "bright, fresh light" on Jackson's early career as both a solo artist and with his brothers in The Jackson 5. Natalie Salvo of TheDwarf.com.au commented that the album's song "Ain't No Sunshine
Ain't No Sunshine
"Ain't No Sunshine" is a song by Bill Withers from his 1971 album Just as I Am, produced by Booker T. Jones. The record featured musicians Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass guitar and Al Jackson, Jr. on drums, as well as Withers on lead vocals and guitar. The song was released as a single in September...
" made the album "personally" worth buying. She added that "the music does what it's supposed to do", which was "evoking the right mood but not being overly showy." Despite the praise, she did state that the album could be clinically looked at as a "element of bad taste" from a "greedy record company" and noted that it was "difficult" to "stop yourself being overcome with cynicism towards this album". Jeff Dorgay of Tone Publications described all of the album's tracks as being "quite strong" and added that "regardless of your interest in Michael Jackson" the The Stripped Mixes is a disc "you should have in your collection" because it offers a "rare look" at "classic" material by Jackson when he was just beginning his career.
Track listing
Charts
| Chart (2009/2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
43 |
| Belgium Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Wallonia) |
47 |
| Mexican Albums Chart AMPROFON Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas is a non-profit organization integrated by multinational and national record companies in Mexico. Established on April 3, 1963, it groups phonographic companies that represent more than 70 percent of the market in Mexico... |
75 |
| United States Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
95 |
| United States Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
21 |
Personnel
- João Daltro de Almeida - photo research
- David Blumberg - arranger
- Lawrence D. Brown - producer
- Rodger Carter - studio assistant
- Neil Citron - engineer, mixing
- The Corporation - arranger, producer
- Hal Davis - producer
- Jill Ettinger - product Manager
- Berry Gordy, Jr. - arranger, producer, executive producer
- George Gordy - producer
- Willie Hutch - vocal arrangement
- Eddy Manson - arranger
- Monique McGuffin - production coordination
- Alphonso Mizell - arranger, producer
- Fonce Mizell - arranger, producer
- Jeff Moskow - producer, A&R
- Ryan Null - photo coordination
- Gene Page - arranger
- Freddie Perren - arranger, producer
- Deke Richards - arranger, producer
- Ryan Rogers - design
- Tom Rowland - producer, engineer, mixing, A&R
- Glen Sanatar - studio assistant
- Doug Schwartz - mastering
- Andrew Skurow - tape research
- Bobby Taylor - producer
- David Van De Pitte - arranger
- Harry Weinger - A&R
- Bob West - arranger
-
- Source:
External links
- Michael Jackson: The Stripped Mixes at iTunesITunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....