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Michael Jackson: recording Dangerous with Teddy Riley

Producer reveals King Of Pop's studio secrets

Future Music, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 12:24 pm UTC

Michael Jackson Dangerous

Released in 1991, Dangerous was the follow-up to 1987's Bad.

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Teddy Riley on working with Michael Jackson

"We talked regularly before I produced the album and he described everything he was looking for, sound-wise. He pulled out one of my songs from the Guy album, which I sing, and he said he wanted that sound. He wanted something driving like that.

"He always pushed me to be different and innovative and strong. He was demanding and we'd work on songs for a long time; we always had to get the mix right. We had the elements, but we had to get the mix right.

"With the sessions, he'd spend a long time doing vocals and sometimes he'd do it on his own. I didn't even have to be there at every session, because he likes to do stuff on his own. He was an inspiration to work with. I kinda learned his way of working and stuck with that formula – so he changed the way I worked on production with artists.

"Since the Dangerous project I've learned to get the writing done before I even approach a song on tape. The writing must be right, you know? Perfect. Before you even start.

"It's difficult to pick out the strongest elements on the album. Is it my music or his lyrics? In the end, I'd say it's both. There was nothing weaker than the other. That's why it was such a perfect album and such a big seller."


Michael jackson dangerous tour

Israel gets a taste of the Dangerous experience in 1993. Image: © HAVAKUK LEVISON/Reuters/Corbis

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