Michael Jackson: King Of Pop

Sep 4 2008 By Paul Cole

(Epic)

TO mark his 50th birthday, here’s a shameless re-hash of Jacko’s hits all of which the faithful will already own, either from first time round or in the definitive History set.

That moan apart, it serves as an ideal introduction for newcomers curious to see if there’s more to the troubled legend than his freakish appearance and behaviour.

Hits such as Billie Jean, Thriller, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, Beat It, and Smooth Criminal – recorded at his peak – represent a genius at work.

A shame, then, that the likes of Black Or White, the overblown Earth Song and frenzied Scream, the latter with sister Janet, are simply awful.