Lenny Kravitz has described working with Michael Jackson as "incredible" and praised him as a "perfectionist" who made him laugh.
As preparations for the King of Pop's tribute concert in Cardiff next month continue, Kravitz spoke to Sky News about working with the singer on the track, Another Day, which he wrote for Jackson.
"It was probably the most incredible collaboration I have ever done," he said. "I was so inspired by him as a child... working with him was fantastic."
"He's not jaded, still a perfectionist, still driven, still comes into the studio and spends all day and all night until he gets it right and come in the next day and the next day."
"He's a very funny gentleman, we laughed the entire time we did it. He's really fun."
As well as Jackson, Grammy award winner Kravitz has collaborated with the likes of Madonna, Vanessa Paradis and Aerosmith but one person he would love to work with is Brit singer Adele who he says has an "amazing voice".
I am always myself. I make the music that I feel, that I hear, that comes out of me. I don't chase the radio or the trends... I can't do that otherwise I'm not expressing myself authentically.
More than 20 years after the release of his debut 1989 album Let Love Rule, Kravitz is on album number nine but says he still finds going into the studio a "magical" experience which he "lives for"
For his latest album, Black and White America, Kravitz went back to basics and lived a simple life at his home in the Bahamas over the two years he wrote and recorded it.
"It's a special record for me," he said. "I secluded myself. I lived on a trailer on the beach, very simple. I put my heart and soul into it."
He said: "I needed to get away. I had been working a lot. I had a lot of things going on in my family… took care of some people who were sick and died.
"I went through a lot of regular things that we all go through in life but are quite emotional and you put all of your own feelings on the back burner because you have to keep going."
"I had a real chance to reflect and live life simply, super-basic. All of that is on that record."
Black and White America draws on his own experiences growing up with one foot in two cultures.
His father, Sy Kravitz, a TV news executive, was of Russian Jewish Descent while his actress mother was of Bahamian descent.
"For me growing up between two cultures was brilliant," he said.
"It was a very rich upbringing. I was told by my parents to embrace both sides, celebrate both sides, understand both sides, so I grew up having no idea about prejudice."
Kravitz writes, produces, plays and sings all his own songs
With four Grammy awards under his belt and a string of hits such as Are You Gonna Go My Way and Fly Away, Kravitz has shown longevity.
He credits his endurance to making the music he wants, rather than trying to get a hit record.
He said: "I am always myself. I make the music that I feel, that I hear, that comes out of me. I don't chase the radio or the trends... I can't do that otherwise I'm not expressing myself authentically.
But although making a hit record is not top of his agenda, he understands those that do.
"That's part of the success game. If your focus is being successful and always having a hit on the radio, or trying to, you will do that.
Kravitz has four Grammy awards under his belt
"I am not putting them down, that is a different game as well. But for me, personally, it is important that I am authentic - for me to be able to sleep at night and look at myself in the mirror."
Recently Kravitz has branched into design, setting up his own company focusing on commercial, residential and product design.
The artist said he enjoys it "just as much as making music".
Kravitz is also taking on more acting projects having appeared in 2009 film Precious.
He has just finished film The Hunger Games which also stars Woody Harrelson and Jennifer Lawrence.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.
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