Well, I'm sure many won't be surprised by the selection this week, but while I would agree that it's a pretty good record, I'm not so sure it was terribly influential musically as much as it was stylistically. And the record is Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)

Pure, startling genius from beginning to end, Michael Jackson and producer Quincy Jones seemed hellbent on creating the biggest, most universally appealing pop album ever made. Jones introduced elements of rock into soul and vice versa in such a way that it's now no surprise to hear a top record that mashes up more marginal genres into a form that will have universal relevance. Without this...no megastars such as Justin Timberlake or Madonna, no wide-appeal uber-producers such as Timbaland or Pharell Williams.

Gee, I didn't realize JT was a megastar, or that MJ was responsible for Madonna, but I need to thank these people for pointing that out. Look, it was a very good record, but tell me who it influenced....please?

Swish