Universe and Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, one of Thicke's all-time favorite films. Robert Hales, director of Gnarles Barkley's 'Crazy' video, was tapped to add visual balance between downtown dance couture, references to Fred Astaire's Mr. The first single, 'Magic,' draws all of Something Else's influences together into one blast of disco-infused dance pop. 'Paris is the center of romance,' he says, 'and I went there, and found 'Sweetest Love,' 'You're My Baby' and 'Miss Harmony.'' Songs like 'Sidestep' and 'Something Else' with their heavy, insistent grooves, were the result.

'New York is the center of information, so I took a few trips there and set up a big studio,' Thicke says. Something Else also benefits from writing sessions that took place in different cities, a tactic employed by several of Thicke's idols, including Marvin Gaye. 'I kept the kids on some songs and the adults on others, so it's the sound of young and old coming together.'

Gary Grant and the Jackson horn section contributed to the album's trans-generational appeal. 'AndrГ© Harrell told me, 'When God is singing loud, that's the sound of horns,'' he says. To deepen that connection, Thicke employed the same horn section used on Jackson's 'You Wanna Be Starting Something,' from the 1979 classic, Off the Wall. 'Michael is the epitome of celebration, and the core of this album has that: It's celebratory, healing, loving music,' Thicke says. The spirit of Michael Jackson looms large throughout the new release. described in his dream of a new America: a place where a white man in the San Fernando Valley can feel Detroit, Harlem and the blues,' he says. Blige, Puff Daddy and Thicke) heard the lanky white kid and was dumbstruck. And I find myself thinking that's more normal than it is.' AndrГ© Harrell (then president of Bad Boy Entertainment and mentor to Mary J. 'I didn't even listen to rock and roll music until I was 17. at 14 and Boyz II Men and Babyface soon after,' Thicke says. 'I was listening to Kurtis Blow at 8, NWA at 12, Jodeci and Mary J. 'I don't want to be a preacher, but I do think at the core of every great existence is an abundance of love and joy, and the only way to create that is to give it,' he adds.Д«orn in Los Angeles, Thicke grew up with an ear trained squarely at R& and Hip Hop. And I'm speaking on the times around me.' Thicke echoes the change with mesmerizing Superfly-era vocals, Gamble and Huff-inspired horn arrangements ('Hard on My Love'), unabashed lyrical optimism and an irresistible invitation to the dance floor ('Side Step'). 'It's time for hope and change,' Thicke says.

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