I was in New York City last week for work, and though my hotel room was surprisingly spacious for midtown Manhattan, the wi-fi was neither free nor reliable. I had the beginnings of at least one post, but trying to work with a stubbornly intermittent signal proved extremely frustrating, ultimately preventing completion of further research and editing.

Being away from home base also meant no TiVo (the horror!), instead faced with an unfamiliar channel lineup. Otherwise, I’m 100% certain that when I’d returned to my room on Wednesday, I never would have landed on George Lopez’s new late-night show on TBS, Lopez Tonight. Lopez was interviewing his musical director, Michael Bearden, who had served as Michael Jackson’s musical director for the cancelled “This Is It” tour.

The “This Is It” band had last performed together at the Michael Jackson memorial service in July, but reunited once more to treat the Lopez Tonight audience to a soulful rendition of “Man In The Mirror.” Judith Hill, who would have served as a backup vocalist on the “This Is It” tour, handled lead vocal duties (as she had on the memorial service’s closing number, “Heal The World”).

Though only two weeks have passed since featuring a different Michael Jackson cover in this space, this one is also worth a listen. Hill is a talent destined for great things indeed. Hear here:

Visit Judith Hill’s official site for a free download of “I Will Always Be Missing You,” written in tribute to Michael Jackson.