Dancing Machine (album)
Encyclopedia
Dancing Machine was the eighth official studio album released by Motown quintet The Jackson 5
in 1974. The album's title track was a #2 pop hit and a #1 R&B hit in the United States
, and the album sold over 2.6 million copies worldwide briefly returning the group to their former prominence. The group released two additional singles from the album: the funky "Whatever You Got, I Want" and the group's last top twenty hit "I Am Love".
Although the Jacksons were back on the charts, the brothers still complained of their artistic direction. Nonetheless, the album became another disco
concept album for the group, and showcased lead singers Michael
and Jermaine Jackson
. Around this time the Jacksons were performing in Las Vegas with the rest of the family leaving this album with low promotion.
. The bonus tracks were the outtakes "Through Thick and Thin" and the Disc-o-Tech #3 Remix of "Forever Came Today".
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
in 1974. The album's title track was a #2 pop hit and a #1 R&B hit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and the album sold over 2.6 million copies worldwide briefly returning the group to their former prominence. The group released two additional singles from the album: the funky "Whatever You Got, I Want" and the group's last top twenty hit "I Am Love".
Although the Jacksons were back on the charts, the brothers still complained of their artistic direction. Nonetheless, the album became another disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
concept album for the group, and showcased lead singers Michael
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
. Around this time the Jacksons were performing in Las Vegas with the rest of the family leaving this album with low promotion.
Track listing
- "I Am Love" (Don Fenceton, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson, Ron Rancifer) (Recorded June 1974) – 7:29
- "Whatever You Got, I Want" (Gene Marcellino, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson) (Recorded July 1973 (Michael solo vocals) - March 1974 (Jackson 5's background vocals) ) – 2:58
- "She's a Rhythm Child" (Clarence Drayton, Hal DavisHal DavisHarold Edward "Hal" Davis was an African American songwriter and record producer, best known as the key figure in the latter part of the Motown career of The Jackson 5....
, Ruth Talmage) (Recorded April - July 1974) – 2:39 - "Dancing MachineDancing Machine"Dancing Machine" is a 1973 song recorded by The Jackson 5, released as a single in 1974. The group's first US Top Ten hit since 1971's "Sugar Daddy", "Dancing Machine" reached number two on the Billboard pop music charts in May 1974, and number one on the R&B charts...
" (Don Fletcher, Hal Davis, Weldon Dean Parks) (Recorded April - May 1973) – 2:43 - "The Life of the Party" (Clarence Drayton, Hal Davis, Tamy Smith) (Recorded April - July 1974) – 2:35
- "What You Don't Know" (Gene Marcellino, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson) (Recorded July (Michael solo vocals) - December 1973 (Later Michael solo vocals) ) – 4:25
- "If I Don't Love You This Way" (Leon WareLeon WareLeon Ware is a soul music singer, songwriter and producer. Best known for crafting the hit album, I Want You, originally recorded for Ware, until friend and Motown icon Marvin Gaye was assigned to the album in 1976...
, Pam SawyerPam SawyerPamela Sawyer, an American-based songwriter from Romford, East London.Sawyer worked with artists at Motown Records from 1967 to 1977. Before Motown she had been involved in hit records for the Young Rascals and Lulu, and wrote with Lori Burton with whom she also recorded as the Whyte Boots.Sawyer...
) (Recorded June 1973 (Michael solo vocals) - March 1974 (Jackson 5's background vocals) ) – 3:28 - "It All Begins and Ends With Love" (Don Fenceton, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson) (Recorded April 1974) – 3:07
- "The Mirrors of My Mind" (Charlotte O'Hare, Don Fletcher, Nita Garfield) (Recorded May - June 1974) – 3:08
Re-release
In 2001, Motown Records remastered all J5 albums in a "Two Classic Albums/One CD" series (much like they did in the late 1980s). This album was paired up with Moving ViolationMoving Violation
Moving Violation is the ninth and final official studio album released on Motown Records by The Jackson 5.By the end of their six-year run in Motown, all five Jackson brothers had matured dramatically in both age and vocals: youngest member Michael was, at 16, the only non-adult in the group...
. The bonus tracks were the outtakes "Through Thick and Thin" and the Disc-o-Tech #3 Remix of "Forever Came Today".
Misc
- Mary J. BligeMary J. BligeMary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
covered "If I Don't Love You This Way" in an international release of her album Love & LifeLove & Life (Mary J. Blige album)Love & Life is the sixth studio album by American singer Mary J. Blige, released in the United States on August 26, 2003 on Geffen Records. The album was primarily produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, who executive produced her first two albums. Additional production came from Dr...
. - "If I Don't Love You This Way", "What You Don't Know", and "Whatever You Got, I Want" were originally meant to be on Michael's unreleased 1974 solo album but were added to Dancing Machine at the last minute. When Michael performed these songs for television (like Soul TrainSoul TrainSoul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
), he usually performed them by himself rather than with his brothers. - "What You Don't Know" were covered by El ChicanoEl ChicanoEl Chicano is an American chicano rock and brown-eyed soul group from Los Angeles, California, whose style incorporates various modern music genres including rock, funk, soul, blues, jazz, and salsa...
, in the 1974 Album, "Cinco". - "If I Don't Love You This Way" were covered by The TemptationsThe TemptationsThe Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, in the 1975 Album, House Party.