Jam

"Jam"
Single by Michael Jackson Featuring Heavy D
from the album Dangerous
Released	July 13, 1992 (1992-07-13)
Format	CD single, 7", 12"
Recorded	1991
Genre	R&B, hip hop, new jack swing, funk[1]
Length	5:38 4:10
Label	Epic
Writer(s)	Michael Jackson, René Moore, Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley
Producer	Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Bruce Swedien
Michael Jackson singles chronology

"Jam" is a song by Michael Jackson. The song is the fourth single from his 1991 album Dangerous. It appears as track one on Dangerous and track two on his 2009 This Is It compilation album. The single was re-released in 2006 as part of Jackson's Visionary: The Video Singles collection and it was remixed to the Cirque du Soleil's Immortal World Tour, releasing that remix on the soundtrack album. "Jam" is a mix of aggressive hard funk, dance and rap, or funk hip hop. The bridge features a rap performed by Heavy D (of the group Heavy D & the Boyz). The music video of the song featured NBA legend Michael Jordan (the other "MJ"). The song was also featured on the Chicago Bulls'—Jordan's team at that time—1992 NBA Championship video "Untouchabulls" and was also used in many promotional ads of the NBA in the said season. The song re-entered the UK charts in 2006, reaching number 22.[2]

Music video

The music video for "Jam" takes place within an abandoned indoor basketball court, where Jackson teaches basketball legend Michael Jordan how to dance, and in return, Jordan teaches Jackson how to play basketball. Special effects have Jackson throwing a basketball from a window and scoring in the hoop at the opposite end, as well as Jackson scoring by tossing the ball behind him and kicking the ball into the hoop with his heel. The extended versions of the video include Jackson teaching Jordan how to do the physically complicated moonwalk dance technique. The rap duo Kris Kross makes a cameo appearance, as does Heavy D (who performs a rap during the bridge).

The video was included on Dangerous – The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision. The music video was directed by David Kellogg.

Reception

"Jam" was generally well received by music critics. Adam Gilham of Sputnikmusic in his review for Dangerous described the song as a perfect album opener and rated it "5/5".[3]

Live performances

Jackson performed "Jam" as the opening number throughout his Dangerous World Tour. He also performed it at the Royal Brunei Concert in 1996, which turned out to be the last live performance of the song. The song was also supposed to be performed at the This Is It concert series, with a snippet of Another Part Of Me. However, the shows were cancelled due to his untimely death.

Jam (U.K. CD Single 6583602)[4]

1. "Jam" (7" Edit) – 4:11
2. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Mix) – 5:54
3. "Jam" (Atlanta Techno Dub) – 6:06 (Incorrectly listed on insert as "Atlantan Techno Mix")
4. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:40

Jam (U.S. CD Single 49K74334)[5]

1. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Radio Mix) – 3:57
2. "Jam" (Silky 7" Mix) - 4:17
3. "Jam" (Roger's Club Mix) – 6:20
4. "Jam" (Atlanta Techno Mix) – 6:06
5. "Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) – 5:29

Jam (U.S. Promo CD Single ESK4583)[6]

1. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Radio Mix) – 3:57
2. "Jam" (Teddy's Jam) - 5:48
3. "Jam" (7" Edit) - 4:13 x
4. "Jam" (MJ's Raw Mix) – 4:24
5. "Jam" (Teddy's 12" Mix) - 5:42
6. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Mix) – 5:54
7. "Jam" (Percapella) – 5:39
8. "Jam" (Radio Edit Without Rap) – 4:45 x

Dual Disc Single

• CD Side:

1. "Jam" - 4:11
2. "Jam" (Silky 12" Mix) - 6:26

• DVD Side:

1. "Jam" (Music Video) - 8:01

VHS Promo

1. "Jam" (Music Video) - 8:01

References

1. ^ "Dangerous". Sputnik. Retrieved 2009-06-21. 
2. ^ "The official UK singles chart: Gnarls Barkley make it eight weeks at the top, while Christina Milian, Busta Rhymes and Sunblock see strong upsurges following the physical availability of their singles. (Top 75)". Music Week. 2006-05-27. 
3. ^ "Jam", Michael Jackson Dangerous. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
4. ^ http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=25278
5. ^ http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=8562
6. ^ http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=6837
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Michael Jackson - Jam (song)". LesCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
8. ^ "Michael Jackson - Jam". ChartsStats.com. Chart Stats. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
9. ^ a b c "allmusic (( Dangerous > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-03-14.