Michael Jackson / Off The Wall reissued with Spike Lee doc

AUDIO QUALITY:
I bought the remastered 2016 & 2001 editions of “Off The Wall” on CD.
Both have remastering credited to Bernie Grundman.
They sound different from each other, but not drastically so.
The 2016 is slightly less brighter than the 2001 CD. Not that the latter was overly bright. It actually sounded just right.
The 2001, to the ear, appears to have more ‘air’ across the mix – giving it a more ‘open’ or ‘live’ sounding experience – as opposed to the needle leaning towards ‘dead’ (or even ‘flat’!).
The bottom end feels slightly less punchy than the 2001 too.
Because of these differences, it might be perceived that the 2016 sounds less ‘WOW’ than the 2001 .
Though, this is probably due to the 2016 being “less” compressed than the 2001.
i.e. The 2016 sounds less ‘full’ fat or more semi-skimmed.
Remember, compression can alter the effect of the EQ – for better or worse. In the safe hands of Bernie Grundman this will be done carefully.

The 2016 is also not quite as loud – peaking comfortably at around -1dB.
The 2001 is a smidgen louder – peaking (though not constantly) at 0dB.
Purists may say the original (1979) vinyl &/or (1983) CD pressings sound better.
The early pressings had different mixes of “Rock With You” & “Get On The Floor”.
MJ was dissatisfied with them. These were subsequently replaced (on later pressings) with Bruce Swedien’s 1979 (overdubbed & much tighter) ‘re-mixes’ created for the radio/single release.

To my ears, it sounds (and looks) like the 2016 edition is almost identical to the recent HDTracks 24bit 96kHz release. At least, this maybe the original source; truncated down to 16bit 44.1kHz CD format. Sadly, the HDTracks edition is not a magical listening experience, despite reaching highs of 22kHz and sloping down to 44kHz.
The 2016 edition isn’t awful by any means. I’d say, stick with the 2001 Special Edition – as Bernie Grundman did a nice job on the remastering. Compression, yes. But, not ridiculous ‘brick wall’ style, a la Red Chili Peppers etc.
For what it’s worth… MJ, Bruce & Quincy all approved of BG’s 2001 remaster too.

One last addition…
There was 4-Track Stereo Reel-To-Reel, 3 ¾ ips, 4-Track Stereo (Epic Records ‎- 1R 7277) released in the U.S. I’d love to hear it, out of curiosity!

well….where’s the 5.1 dts version of the album?…
…so many percussion overdubs,so few channels O:-)

Any news on the audio quality yet?

I would be so on board with this if the DVD/Blu-Ray included an audio Hi-Rez version of the album.

The only good thing about this reissue is that we won’t have to suffer through crap EDM or Rap-infused remixes as bonus fodder.

Otherwise, a definite let down.

Is there anyone who knows what COULD have been included here if it was done properly? Anyone know if there are any B sides or remixes or extended versions done at the time? I’m not really interested in demos or unreleased tracks. IMHO they’re usually unreleased for a reason!

What a waste of a blu-ray, there’s at least 20GB going begging there. Having heard the 96/24 download, they could easily put that on there as a hi-res version of the album. It sounds brilliant to my ears, I know one poster above me disagrees but at least it would be something.

No demos? No bonus tracks? No extended cuts? No remastering of the ORIGINAL pressing? No Triumph Tour? A piece of Chalk? No thanks! The 2001 Special Edition or the original Vinyl is better than this. Madness and a lack of respect for Jacksons legacy. Nothing new there either. I’m out!

At least there was some actual bonus audio content for the She’s so Unusual release. This is just a rehash of the same thing that was already remastered not all that long ago. I’d rather see the Bad25 documentary get a physical release since Off the Wall was too long before I was really paying attention to music for it to actually resonate with me.

Surely one of their more treasured artists, an iconic album and this is the sorry lacklustre affair we are offered? “It’s a Sony”

When they announce the Super Deluxe Edition including a mix to build your own bricks!

Paul, forgive me if this isn’t the place but you ever considered a forum for this site? Would be awesome addition I think. Either way, keep up the good work!

What a total disappointment for such an iconic album ! Think I’ll save my money for the Sade re-issues, with interest I should have a grand by then lol

The chalk thing is insane. Why on earth would anyone think up such lunacy? This is aimed at adults, not 1D fans. Even they would find that childish. PF’s marbles seem almost adult in comparison.

If you reissue an album, you have to put extra SONGS on it, not some bs documentary. Give us remixes, demo’s and some live material (not too much, eh Phil Collins). If there aren’t enough period remixes, then make some (Dimitri From Paris does an outstanding job remixing 70’s and 80’s songs!!) or check with the older remix services like Razormaid, Disconet, Art of Mix, Ultimix, DMC, etc, they will have em, guaranteed!!
I won’t be buying this loser.

Paul ,
I didnt think Girlfriend was written for Jackson .
I can remember buying OTW about a year after London Town came out and Macca didnt say he wrote for him at that time .

This is sad if this is what Sony will offer for us who still buy CDs.
(and not to mention the forthcoming Phil Collins re-releases by Warner)

Oh great, a re-release of an album without any bonus audio. You’re better off buying the special edition from 1998 – which at the moment is just 5 quid on Amazon too. Sounds to me that Universal is dropping the ball on Michael Jackson yet again. When he died they promised – I think – NINE albums of unreleased demos etc., and all we’ve had since then is a handful of bonus content on Bad25 and the two posthumous albums. I’m always happy to buy new Michael Jackson songs but let’s be honest, no-one is waiting for a dvd with a boring documentary that you’ll only ever watch one time – if even that.

No blu-ray audio? Hmm….I think I’m gonna seek out the original vinyl then.

At least re-release it on 180g vinyl. I’d have bought that.

Is the chalk so you change Michael from black to white?

it’s funny trying to guess what’s on the minds of these executives when they plan a release like this…. :) I suppose I should buy the fourth copy of OTW just for the Spike Lee bluray…. no way :)

I’m definitely interested in the documentary. It would be nice if the album was to be included in hires lossless audio, with, hopefully, good mastering and dynamic range, not like the recent HD tracks version and the special edition cd’s with compression.

no need to buy this then at all. I often think extra video content these days is overrated (not that i am doubting spike lee’s talent) even including concerts etc – i rarely watch them more than once

Seems odd to not have ANY bonus audio.

Did Sony not learn from the awful Cyndi Lauper reissue that quirky packaging is just pointless… chalk, really?

I doubt that I’ll purchase this one.

You’re kidding me! That’s it? After all the promises from the video?

Count me out then.