REVIEW: GEORGE MICHAEL - FAITH (RE-ISSUE)

24 years after its initial release and still it stands the test of time. George Michael's Grammy-winning Album of the Year, Faith, sees its re-issuing finally after being pushed-back from late 2010. Re-mastered with B-Sides, Remixes and Instrumentals on a standalone Disc, the original Album is fully intact  here in a solid ten tracks.  

A fresh listen to Faith gives a telling revelation how hastily-produced some Albums of the R&B/Funk-inspired Pop releases are today. George Michael is the original Enrique Iglesias. The original Justin Timberlake. The original Ricky Martin. The original template by which countless other Male Pop Artists have in some form adapted into their own recipes for success.

No one can deny the universal appeal which U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topping Single (and subsequent top-selling Single of 1988) Faith has still. The appearance of that Church Organ in its prelude is the promise of some serious hip-shaking and finger snapping to follow. I Want Your Sex retains its controversial appeal and that dirtily infectious groove can fill a Dance Floor to this day. Masterfully written, produced and executed in its gratuitous serving of three parts, Pt. 1 of Sex still shines brightest of all with lots of fun and memorable interplay between Michael and his female Backing Vocalists. His voice is front-and-center, filling the place of Instruments with his inspired vocal colourings. 

WIN A COPY OF GEORGE MICHAEL'S RE-ISSUE OF "FAITH"

It's been almost 24 years since my favourite male Artist George Michael has stunned the world with his debut solo album Faith. The groundbreaking album went on to sell over 25 million copies worldwide, stamped forever as a Pop Classic. Faith also earned George Michael a Grammy in the coveted Album of the Year category in 1989.

On February 1, 2011, Sony Music re-released George Michael's Faith in multiple formats including a Limited Edition Box Set, 2 CD/1 DVD and 2 CD Editions.  You Mavenati, have a chance to win a two-disc edition of Faith here exclusively courtesy of Mile High Productions, Sony Music and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven!

To qualify for the win, please leave a comment with the name of your favourite track from Faith before February 14, 2011.  All are welcome to enter.  Good luck!

GEORGE MICHAEL IN TALKS TO JUDGE ON AMERICAN VERSION OF "THE X FACTOR"

George Michael in Toronto - 2008

Best news in a long time! George Michael is currently in talks with producers to be a Judge on the U.S. version of The X Factor. It is believed that he is being offered upwards of 1 million pounds for the gig, making him the latest in Simon Cowell's move to have Celebrity Judges take over mentoring responsibilities on his massively successful Singing Reality Show franchises.

As we all know, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Jennifer Lopez will be judging on the forthcoming season of American Idol, premiering Wednesday, January 19, 2011 on FOX.

This would help with a much-needed comeback from Michael as Sony Music is planning to re-issue his classic Grammy-winning album Faith  next year.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

NEW MUSIC: GEORGE MICHAEL - I WANT YOUR SEX 2010 FREEMASONS CLUB MIX

Even though Sony Music has pushed back its plans to release the 23rd Anniversary Re-issue of George Michael's Faith, Freemasons have gone ahead and unleashed their Club Mix of his legendary 1987 hit I Want Your Sex.  Undoubtedly this would have to do with Michael's recent string of legal problems.  There is still no confirmed release date for the set, but we can expect to see it surface early 2011.

If you have been following my Blog for a while, you'll remember that back in July, Russell Small of Freemasons had revealed to me that he was ironing out plans with a legendary male artist.  That artist of course was George Michael and I was vowed to secrecy...  but alas, the secret is out!

Lemme guess - you want to hear it, right?  Of course you do.  It's phenomenal. Although the tempo change takes a bit of getting used to, I expect this to tear-up the Dance Floors. Here's to hoping this leads to a revived public interest in Michael's music again. It really saddens me to see what has become of my favourite male artist of all time. Listen below:

REVIEW: GEORGE MICHAEL LIVE IN LONDON DVD

Well, how's this for a surprise? I had no idea that George Michael was releasing his 2008 25 Tour on DVD until I was casually browsing the Music DVD section at HMV the other day. I had to have it.

The two-disc DVD set titled George Michael Live in London documents the pop legend's final London show at Earls Court in 22 tracks on the first disc and behind-the-scenes documentary and three bonus performances on disc two. Having attended his Air Canada Centre show in Toronto, I can say that this recording of the show is possibly even better than the actual performance I saw. The downside however, is that his 25 years of hits which was originally presented in a two act, 150 minute long show, has been pared down significantly for this release.

Michael makes no mistake about making a grand entrance, starting the show on a high note with Fastlove, followed by I'm Your Man from his Wham! days and then more recent hit Flawless from 2004's Patience album. He also updates the classic Everything She Wants in an age-appropriate manner, illustrating why his melodies have stood the test of time.

Although for me, Michael's dance material has always been his strength, his career is marked by many, many outstanding ballads. Father Figure, One More Try and A Different Corner have a very strong presence on this disc. He devotes a good portion of his show to some of his more jazzy material, which seems to have been more of a focus in recent years, including covers of Feeling Good (Nina Simone) and Roxanne (The Police) and his own Spinning The Wheel, which transforms into a big anthemic dance mix. Even though his voice has deteriorated slightly since his prime, having lost a bit of his upper range he once had, Michael's amazing talent cannot be denied still.