A Very Special Musical Interview Feature With The Stars Of "The Wiz" 2 LP Set (USA)

Description:

This deluxe two record set with picture cover features soundtrack excerpts, interviews with the stars, director and producer of The Wiz, along with Quincy Jones.  Interviews by Fred Robbins.  Each record comes in a special cover featuring "The Wiz" portrait of the four stars.  This extremely rare promotional broadcast record set was sent to a handful of USA radio stations in 1978. It includes an exclusive interview with Michael Jackson (and music from the movie including “You Can’t Win” and “Ease On Down The Road”).

But perhaps most unique about this release is that it is housed in two beautiful picture covers with the original artwork from the movie. Radio broadcast records almost never have picture covers, because they are not meant for commercial usage (generally, these broadcast records had generic title sleeves, if any, because the records were usually thrown away after the broadcast was aired). Although this record may not be as in demand as a record such as the withdrawn Dutch Smile 12”, it is no doubt much rarer, and likely this is due to fewer collectors knowing about this rare treasure.

In Michael’s interview segment, he talks about how much he loves Diana and when he found out she was starring in The Wiz, he called her in Las Vegas: "I hope you have a great time in doing the Wiz...and the next thing I knew, I was in the movie myself! The Scarecrow was always my favorite".  He talks about how he loved the Broadway play with Stephanie Mills, and how during the first reading of the movie, everyone was tense.  Then Michael talks about the music being the highlight of the film calling it “funky…you can smell it, that’s how strong” and then talks about the song “You Can’t Win” by saying “it’s got a smell to it!”, which is then played in its entirety.  Michael talks about how he wants the music to turn the movie theatres into a discotech by getting people out of their seats and dancing.  

When asked what he wants the film to accomplish, he says: “I hope this opens up a lot of people's minds...help a lot of children, as well as grown ups, because grown ups are nothing but children, in a bigger sense.  That’s the main thing…to help humankind...You can lead your life by this movie, you really can.”

In the second record, Quincy tells about how he got involved in the project, and what it what it was like to work with the cast of the film, including Michael and Diana Ross.  The record features dialogue and music from the movie including “Ease On Down The Road”.

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