HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I

Personnel includes: Michael Jackson (vocals, various instruments); L.T.B., Vincent Price (vocals); Jeff Mirinov, Michael Thompson, Rob Hoffman, Jen Leigh, David Williams, Marlo Henderson, Christopher Currell, Paul Jackson, Dean Parks (guitar); Bill Bottrell (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion); Steve Lukather (guitar, bass); Paul Peabody (violin); David Paich (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Rod Temperton, Chuck Wild (keyboards, synthesizer); Steve Porcaro (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards, Rhodes, synthesizer); Nathan East (bass); Ndugu Chancler, John Robinson (drums); Ollie E. Brown, Richard Heath (percussion); Christa Larson, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters (background vocals).
Producers include: Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson.
HISTORY BOOK 1 contains one disc of Jackson's greatest hits and one disc of all-new songs. It features a 52-page booklet with liner notes by Janet Jackson, Steven Spielberg, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as many never-before-seen photographs.
HISTORY BOOK 1 was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Album Of The Year. "You Are Not Alone" was nominated for Grammy Awards for Song Of The Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and the Michael Jackson-Janet Jackson duet "Scream" was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
Personnel: Michael Jackson (vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion, background vocals); Janet Jackson (vocals); L.T.B., Shaquille O'Neal, The Notorious B.I.G., Vincent Price (rap vocals); Bill Bottrell (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion); Christopher Currell (guitar, Synclavier, percussion); Rob Hoffman (guitar, programming); Dann Huff, David Williams , Dean Parks, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Gale , Jen Leigh, Michael Thompson , Jeff Mirinov, Larry Carlton, Michael Thompson , Nile Rodgers , Paul Jackson, Jr. , Slash, Steve Lukather, Tim Pierce, Trevor Rabin, Marlo Henderson (guitar); Paul Peabody (violin); Larry Williams , Kim Hutchcroft (flute, saxophone, horns); Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (trumpet, flugelhorn, horns); William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. (trombone, horns); Seawind Horns (horns); Jimmy Wright, James "Big Jim" Wright (piano, organ); Brad Buxer (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion, programming, sound effects); David Paich, John Barnes, David Foster (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Jonathan Mackey (piano); Greg Phillinganes (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizer, bass synthesizer); David "Hawk" Wolinski (Fender Rhodes piano); Jimmy Smith (Hammond b-3 organ); Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis (keyboards, synthesizer, bass synthesizer, drums, percussion, programming, drum programming); Chuck Wild, Simon Franglen (keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion, programming, sound effects); Rene (keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion); Michael Boddicker, Steve Porcaro (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); R. Kelly (keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Lafayette Carthon, Dallas Austin, Robert A. Arbittier, Glen Ballard, Greg Smith , Gary Adante, Jasun Martz, Rob Arbitter, Randy Waldman, Rod Temperton, Teddy Riley, Randy Kerber, Bill Wolfer, Brian Banks (keyboards, synthesizer); Greg Smith, Jason Martz (keyboards); Bryan Loren (bass synthesizer, drums, percussion, background vocals); Tom Bahler (Synclavier); Bobby Brooks (drums, percussion, programming); Bruce Swedien (drums, percussion, sound effects); Omar Hakin, Omar Hakim, Steve Ferrone, Buddy Williams (drums, percussion); John "J.R." Robinson , Jeff Porcaro, John Robinson , Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (drums); How Now Brown Cow, Ollie E. Brown, Paulinho Da Costa, Randy Jackson , Richard Heath (percussion); Andrew Scheps (programming, drum programming, sound effects); Douglas Getschall, Peter Mokran (programming, drum programming); Rick Sheppard, Chris Palmaro, Arnie Schulze, Gregg Mangiafico, Jason Miles , Jeff Bova (programming); Matt Forger (sound effects); Christa Larson, Becky Lopez, Zedric Williams, Maxine Waters, Alan Shearman, Jackie Gouché, Rodger Bumpass, John Bahler Singers, Gregory Martin, Phil Proctor, Anna Mathias, Hattie Winston, Linda McCrary-Campbell, Carolyn Dennis, Gloria Augustus, James Ingram , Jesse Corti, Michael McCary, Jim Gilstrap, Julia Waters, Linda McCrary, Maxine Willard Waters, Andraé Crouch, The Andraé Crouch Singers, Nathan Morris, Oren Waters, Paulette McWilliams, Sandra Crouch, Shawn Stockman, The Winans, Wanya Morris, Mortonette Jenkins, Augie Johnson, John Bahler, Carol Dennis, Boyz II Men, Bunny Hull (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Dave Way; Eddie DeLena; Brad Sundberg; Steve Hodge ; Teddy Riley; Bill Bottrell; Bruce Swedien.
Liner Note Authors: Steven Spielberg ; Jacqueline Kennedy; Elizabeth Taylor; Michael Jackson; Bruce Swedien.
Recording information: Allen Zentz Recording; Cherokee Studios, Chatsworth, CA; Cherokee Studios, Smoketree, Chatsworth; Chicago Recording Company, Chicago, IL; Flyte Tyme Studios, Minneapolis; Hit Factory, NY; Larrabee Sound Studios; Larrabee Studios, LA, CA; Larrabee Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Ocean Way, LA, CA; Ocean Way, Los Angeles, CA; Record One Studios, LA, CA; Record One Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Sony Mus; Sony Music Studios, NY; Soundcastle Studios; The Hit Factory Studios; Toad Hall, Pasadena, CA; Todd A.O. Scoring Stage; Warner Brothers Scoring Stage, Los Angeles, CA; Westlake Audio, LA, CA; Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographers: Nate Giorgio; Matthew Rolston; Jonathan Exley; Greg Gorman; Annie Leibovitz; Harrison Funk; Sam Emerson; Lester Cohen; Gorrfried Helnwein; David Nordahl; Steven Paul Whitsitt; Stephan Vaughn; Reagans Carter.
Arrangers: Brad Buxer; Dallas Austin; Jeremy Lubbock; Jimmy Jam; Johnny Mandel; Michael Jackson; R. Kelly; Terry Lewis; Bruce Swedien.
Michael Jackson's double-disc HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I is a monumental achievement of ego. Titled "HIStory Begins," the first disc is a collection of his post-Motown hits, featuring some of the greatest music in pop history, including "Billie Jean," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," "Beat It," and "Rock with You." It leaves some hits out -- including the number ones "Say Say Say" and "Dirty Diana" -- yet it's filled with enough prime material to be thoroughly intoxicating. The second disc, called "HIStory Continues," consists entirely of new material -- which also happens to be the first material he released since being accused of child molestation. "HIStory Continues" is easily the most personal album Jackson has recorded. References to the scandal permeate almost every song, creating a thick atmosphere of paranoia. Occasionally, Jackson produces some well-crafted pop that ranks with his best material: R. Kelly's "You Are Not Alone" is seductive, "Scream" improves on the slamming beats of his earlier single "Jam," and "Stranger in Moscow" is one of his most haunting ballads. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine