Michael Jackson's This Is It (The Music That Inspired the Movie)

iTunes Review

There was so much controversy orbiting around Michael Jackson’s untimely death that in the midst of all the hoopla, it was easy to overlook the incredible music that defined and befuddled his life, save for the 2009 documentary This Is It. This accompanying collection of songs serves as both a celebration and eulogy of Jackson’s life in music. It begins with the svelte funk of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” the leading track from the world’s biggest selling album of all time, 1982’s Thriller. Basketball fans should delight in the following tune “Jam,” from 1991’s Dangerous, as it also served as the theme song for the Chicago Bulls back when Michael Jordan starred in the song’s video. The stellar remastering of “Jam” allows all the studio nuances to pop out of the song. This is even more evident on the remastered “Beat It,” especially on Eddie Van Halen’s amazing guitar work where you can really hear the textures and tone like never before. The heartfelt title track closes this compilation — “This Is It” was co-written by Paul Anka. Exclusive to the soundtrack, original tapes of the song were purportedly found in a box of Jackson’s belongings following his death.