"Sunset Driver" by Michael Jackson

“Sunset Driver” was another hidden gem among Michael Jackson's huge backlog of unreleased songs. It was solely written by the pop/soul superstar in the late ‘70s. An initial demo of it was recorded in 1978 at the Jackson family home studio in Encino, California. It was originally considered for inclusion on the Off The Wall (1979) album but didn’t make the final cut. It was later rerecorded in the early ‘80s during the Thriller sessions as a potential track for that album. But it was ultimately left off that album as well. It was also considered for Michael’s 1987 Bad album but again was scrapped. “Sunset Driver” resurfaced as a bonus track on the 57-song box set The Ultimate Collection, released on November 16, 2004. It was later re-released on Thriller 40 (2022), Thriller's 40th anniversary reissue edition. It was also featured in the Ubisoft music video game “Michael Jackson: The Experience” (2010).

“Sunset Driver” is a powerful disco-funk track. It would have been a great fit for the largely dance-driven Off The Wall album. Clubgoers would have burned up many a dance floor to this hot jam back in the disco days. Louis Johnson’s captivating bass line propels the sizzling dance groove. The track features electrifying synth lines, dynamic strings, funky guitar licks and an indelible chorus. And Michael delivers a forceful high-energy vocal performance.

The protagonist of “Sunset Driver” lives a reckless, fast-paced lifestyle. This individual loves living on the edge and is in constant pursuit of thrills, danger and excitement, with little concern for the consequences. The song serves as a cautionary tale that warns of the dangers of living a reckless life of endless thrill-seeking.

It’s cool that “Sunset Driver” finally got some well-deserved love and attention with its inclusion on two MJ albums and a music video game. It’s such a banger that it’s nearly impossible not to move to it when it comes on.

The "Sunset Driver" segment from the music video game "Michael Jackson: The Experience"

"Sunset Driver" available at Amazon

Related blog entry: Review of Michael Jackson's Off The Wall Album

"Crab Apple"by Idris Muhammad

Legendary jazz drummer Idris Muhammad serves up some delicious funk on his smooth instrumental “Crab Apple.” The song boasts a killer arrangement, with sterling horn charts and phat bass. Muhammad anchors the groove with a cold beat, while tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker heightens the funk with a fantastic solo. Guitarist Hiram Bullock's wicked licks electrify the groove, and Cliff Carter contributes a scorching synth solo. With this cut, Muhammad showed that his funk game was super strong.

“Crab Apple” is a track from Muhammad’s fifth studio album Turn This Mutha Out, released in 1977. It was written, arranged and produced by David Matthews, who also produced the entire album. The collection was released on Kudu, a subsidiary of CTI Records. 

Per WhoSampled.com, “Crab Apple” has been sampled on 23 songs, including “Crooked Ass Nigga” (2Pac, featuring Stretch), “Big Booty Hoes” (The Notorious B.I.G., featuring Too Short) and “Black Jesus” (Schoolly D).

The full personnel on “Crab Apple” was Wilbur Bascomb (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums), David Tofani (soprano saxophone), Hiram Bullock (guitar), Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone), Sue Evans (percussion), Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone), Cliff Carter (synthesizer) and Charlie Brown (guitar).

"Crab Apple" available at Amazon

Related blog entry: Turn This Mutha Out by Idris Muhammad