Off the Wall
Released: 1979

Off the Wall

by Michael Jackson

The 87th greatest album of all time

Off the Wall (1979) finds Michael Jackson moving from child star to mature solo artist with a polished blend of disco, pop, contemporary R&B and funk. Produced by Quincy Jones, the album pairs buoyant dance grooves and tight funk rhythms with smooth balladry, featuring slick horn and string arrangements, layered backing vocals and confident lead performances. Its emphasis on sophisticated production, dancefloor songs and crossover R&B sensibility helped redefine Jackson's sound and shaped his direction on later projects.

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