Billie Jean Easy Star All-Stars

The Billie Jean EP by the Easy Star All-Stars serves as a vibrant, reggae-infused tribute to Michael Jackson's legendary artistry. Released on July 10, 2012, this digital-only collection acted as the primary introduction to the group's full-length tribute album, Thrillah. It showcases the band's signature ability to deconstruct iconic pop melodies and reconstruct them within the deep grooves of dub and roots reggae, a style they previously perfected with tributes to Pink Floyd and Radiohead.  

The EP features a standout rendition of the title track, "Billie Jean," featuring the powerful vocals of reggae veteran Luciano. By trading the original's sleek 80s pop production for a heavy, driving bassline and brass accents, the All-Stars breathe new life into the classic narrative. The release also includes a soulful take on "Human Nature" featuring Cas Haley, which maintains the ethereal beauty of the original while grounding it in a steady one-drop rhythm.

Beyond the standard covers, the EP offers a deeper dive into the technical side of the genre with various interpretations and remixes. The "Billie Jean Dub" provides a spacey, instrumental exploration of the track's rhythm section, while remixes from Mister Vibes and the Florida-based Sounduo push the boundaries further. Sounduo's "glitchy" version, in particular, blends modern electronic textures with traditional dub elements, proving that the All-Stars' vision for Michael Jackson's music is as experimental as it is respectful.