The Jacksons Story
Encyclopedia
The Jacksons Story, an album released on Hip-O Select/UTV Records on August 28, 2007, covers fourteen years of hit singles scored by the R&B group Jacksons
between 1969 and 1982. It not only covers the quintet's (or sextet's) early years as the princes of Motown during the late-1960s and early-1970s, their disco
innovations in the mid-1970s while still in Motown (1974) and their later funk
/disco
period while recording for CBS Records
and its two divisions: Philadelphia International (1976-77) and Epic
(1977-81) during the late-1970s and early-1980s. For further historical value, the collection also includes solo hit singles by the sole two Jackson brothers who scored solo success including Jermaine
's 1979 smash, "Let's Get Serious" and Michael
's hits spanning from 1971's "Got to Be There", 1972's "Rockin' Robin" and "Ben", 1979's "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough
" and 1983's legendary "Billie Jean
".
By: Al Campbell (All Music)
For the first time on a single-disc compilation, Hip O's The Jacksons Story combines both the group's Motown and Epic singles along with solo hits by Michael and Jermaine. Spanning 1969-1983, the program begins with early-'70s J5 chart-toppers like "I Want You Back," "I'll Be There," and "ABC," then delves into Michael's initial solo records of the same era: "Ben," "Rockin' Robin," and "Got to Be There." By 1976, the Jacksons had severed their long relationship with Motown and switched to Epic, reflected here by seven noteworthy tunes, including "Enjoy Yourself" and "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)." When the group changed record companies, Jermaine, who was married to the daughter of Motown honcho Berry Gordy, remained and was rewarded with his first solo hit in 1980's "Let's Get Serious." The disc wraps up with two songs that represent the beginning of Michael's solo career in earnest with 1979's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and the massive hit "Billie Jean," released four years later. Though it's not as comprehensive as 1995's 21-track Ultimate Collection, The Jacksons Story holds together well and still offers a decent selection of the band's career highlights.
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
between 1969 and 1982. It not only covers the quintet's (or sextet's) early years as the princes of Motown during the late-1960s and early-1970s, their 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...
innovations in the mid-1970s while still in Motown (1974) and their later funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
/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...
period while recording for CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
and its two divisions: Philadelphia International (1976-77) and Epic
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
(1977-81) during the late-1970s and early-1980s. For further historical value, the collection also includes solo hit singles by the sole two Jackson brothers who scored solo success including Jermaine
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...
's 1979 smash, "Let's Get Serious" and 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...
's hits spanning from 1971's "Got to Be There", 1972's "Rockin' Robin" and "Ben", 1979's "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" is a single by American recording artist Michael Jackson. Released under Epic Records on July 28, 1979, the song is the first single from Jackson's fifth studio album, entitled Off the Wall. Written by Jackson, it is in the key of B major and in common time...
" and 1983's legendary "Billie Jean
Billie Jean
"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop/R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written, composed, and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones from the singer's sixth album, Thriller . Originally disliked by Jones, the track was almost removed from the album after he and...
".
Track listing
- "I Want You Back"
- "ABC"
- "The Love You Save"
- "I'll Be There"
- "Mama's Pearl"
- "Never Can Say Goodbye"
- "Got to Be There"
- "Rockin' Robin"
- "Ben"
- "Dancing Machine"
- "Let's Get Serious"
- "Enjoy Yourself"
- "Show You the Way to Go"
- "Blame It on the Boogie"
- "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)"
- "Lovely One"
- "This Place Hotel"
- "Can You Feel It"
- "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"
- "Billie Jean"
Review
For the first time on a single-disc compilation, Hip O's The Jacksons Story combines both the group's Motown and Epic singles along with solo hits by Michael and Jermaine. Spanning 1969-1983, the program begins with early-'70s J5 chart-toppers like "I Want You Back," "I'll Be There," and "ABC," then delves into Michael's initial solo records of the same era: "Ben," "Rockin' Robin," and "Got to Be There." By 1976, the Jacksons had severed their long relationship with Motown and switched to Epic, reflected here by seven noteworthy tunes, including "Enjoy Yourself" and "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)." When the group changed record companies, Jermaine, who was married to the daughter of Motown honcho Berry Gordy, remained and was rewarded with his first solo hit in 1980's "Let's Get Serious." The disc wraps up with two songs that represent the beginning of Michael's solo career in earnest with 1979's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and the massive hit "Billie Jean," released four years later. Though it's not as comprehensive as 1995's 21-track Ultimate Collection, The Jacksons Story holds together well and still offers a decent selection of the band's career highlights.