THRILLER

Product Information

I'm curious where is the actual reference to "Mastered By – Bernie Grundman" anywhere on this record. Will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Given the coding, I was initially suspicious that the Hong Kong press might just be using the same stampers as the JP press, but this is, without question, a completely different master.

Anyway, Jackson felt 'Off the Wall' should have made a much bigger impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release: 'Thriller'.On Human Nature the stereo guitars of Steve Lukather of the group Toto are a beacon of the title and they are wasted, they had to be left as on the American original. This pressing has great dynamics, and while I hear a couple instances of sibilance, there's no way I'd play big bucks for an audiophile upgrade when this sounds so damn good. Distressed and somewhat annoyed by the lack of recognition of his work by critics (in fact, Rolling Stone magazine declined to give an exclusive interview about his album, claiming that a black artist was not salable to the public) to which Michael responded to that refusal with the following statement: "I've been told over and over that black people on the cover of magazines doesn't sell copies.

Last 4 pages of the 10-page booklet fold out into a double-sided poster of MJ (standing in purple tracksuit/reclining in white suit with tiger cub). I just picked up a near-mint copy of the first pressing (no co-producer credit for MJ on the back cover) for five bucks, and I can't imagine nobody ever played it, but it's ridiculously quiet and clean. Both should be Digital Studio productions, Brothers in Arms is a Masterpiece (also in terms of production quality for early Digital Recordings) and Mofi made it even better, a big WOW and a great pleasure to listen! It’s not only the best selling record of all time… it’s one of the best Sounding records of all time as well! Release is housed in a cardboard slip case, and includes fold out poster (that largely replicates the original art except for the addition of the Original Master Recording® banner and some credit updates), lyric sheet, MoFi Archival Master sleeve, and white cardboard insert.

I also have a 1982 US pressing and while this Japanese press doesn't blow it out of the water, it is noticeably better, even to my layman's ears. The first thing I noticed when dropping the needle is that this pressing is LOUD and HOT in the best possible way - extremely warm and audiophile, and really jumps out of the speakers.