Customer Reviews

2300 Jackson St

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I just recently got this cd after looking for it for months. I had to buy it online, and I'm very happy I got it. My favorite thing about this Cd is that Jermaine finally got to be the lead singer on this cd and he proved that he was never second banana compared to Michael. Jermaine is one of the few singers who's range has actually increased as he got older and he is in top form in this album. It's a shame it didn't do better. Tito, Randy and Jackie all get leads to on this album, and they sound great. The only downsides are that a few of the songs are very average or hokey(Harley), and that this album suffers from not having Michael's songwriting(something his is sorely underrated for.) If you can find it, this is worth buying. La Reid and Babyface produce a song on here and Diane Warren contributes "Private Affair" where Jermaine kills it. Don't ignore this one because Michael only sings on the song "2300 Jackson Street"(with Marlon, Janet, Rebbie and their grandkids) because the group can survive and I believe thrieve even without Michael. This album proves it.

Though having been a Michael fan many years ago (actually I was starting when 2300 Jackson St. was released), I was able to listen to it as a brilliant group album. It's true that some songs are not quite good, but still it's a good funky release. How could they have sounded in the '90s?

In my opinion, the worst song is the only one where Michael's voice is present. I used to jump it.

Anyway, the best release from the Jackson family that year was Janet's Rhythm Nation 1814, doubtless.

But being the Jackson fan that I am, I have to say that because I know they had better albums out. I noticed a lot of people were wondering Where's Michael on this album. It was unfortunate that he only collaborated on the song 2300 Jackson Street, but hey maybe one day when they decide to do another album he'll be more on there. I was upset that Janet didn't do anything but collaborate on 2300 either. I think Randy could've left the song that he had on there in regards to his motorcycle off of the album. But I still enjoyed the rest of the album. What would be cool is if they do another album and turn it into a family thing, where each one does a song or two and then do a family song. That would be nice.

When The Jacksons wrapped up their Victory Tour in late 1984, Michael Jackson made it clear to his family, especially his brothers, and his fans that this would be his last tour as lead vocalist for The Jacksons/Jackson Five. He would go on to record as a full-blown solo artist until the very end of his career. With albums like "Off the Wall" and "Thriller", Michael truly felt that he should continue his path of creative control, which led to the creation of the "Bad" album.

As for this album, "2300 Jackson Street", which marks the very first time that the Jackson brothers (Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and Randy) recorded an album without Michael or Marlon on vocals, marks the end of their 20-year recording career (roughly 1969-1989). Michael makes a short, but sweet cameo on the title track, but is absent from any of the other 10 tracks on the album.

I. ART OF MADNESS - The album opens with a nice up-beat jam that is quite similar to previous Jackson album openers like "Can You Feel It" on "Triumph" (1981) and "Torture" from their last release with Michael, "Victory" (1984). Lead vocals are supplied by the returning, Jermaine Jackson, who got back with his brothers for the "Victory" tour dates and album of the same name, and Tito.

II. NOTHIN (THAT COMPARES 2 U) - A music video was made for this catchy song, which was written by Babyface and L.A. Reid. Again, lead vocals are handled by Jermaine Jackson. Babyface plays Keyboards and Lead Guitar on the track. It is also included in the Essential Jacksons release on Epic/Legacy.

III. MARIA - My favorite track on the album is a latin-flavored R&B tune with some awesome singing by Jermaine Jackson who handles his role as lead singer for The Jacksons-circa 1989, quite well. Paul Jackson, Jr. also supplies some great acoustic guitar playing, which fits nicely with the lyrics. This recording was produced by Jermaine.

IV. PRIVATE AFFAIR - Nothing special about this ballad. It was written by premier songstress, Diane Warren, a lyricist who was untouchable for most of the 1980's and 1990's, but this track is nothing more than album filler.

V. 2300 JACKSON STREET - Written by the four remaining Jacksons, Jermaine, Jackie, Tito & Randy, this track is a reunion between the entire Jackson clan (all 8 of them! minus La Toya). The true bread-winners, Michael & Janet, make a guest appearance on this number, which is the last track that Michael would record with his brothers (even if his cameo is reduced to these simple lines / In harmony, together we'll join hands and sing our love across the land) During this time Michael Jackson was still promoting his latest album, "BAD", which had sold 7 million copies in the US alone, while 2300 Jackson Street only went Gold (500,000 copies). It is also included in the Essential Jacksons release on Epic/Legacy.

VI. HARLEY - This track is nothing more than filler. The main beat is very similar to Michael's "Speed Demon", but to a much lesser effect. It wouldn't sound out of place on "Bad" or even the King of Pop's next album of new material, "Dangerous."

VII. SHE - Much better than the aforementioned album/filler tracks such as "Private Affair" and "Harley." Randy Jackson sings lead vocals, which he also did on Victory's "One More Chance", which was also covered by Janet Jackson. Teddy Riley performs all instrumentation on the track.

VIII. ALRIGHT WITH ME - Nothing special about this track. Just an average example of late 1980's/early 1990's New Jack Swing music performed by The Jacksons. Jackie and Jermaine sing lead.

IX. PLAY IT UP - Some more album filler.

X. MIDNIGHT RENDEZVOUS - Again, Jermaine and Jackie Jackson supply the lead vocals to this track. Nothing too special about the arrangement, Just some MOR/R&B.

XI. IF YOU'D ONLY BELIEVE - A nice ballad sung by Jermaine and his brothers. A great way to close the book on two decades of hits (with or without help from Michael or Marlon). The production of this track is quite good.

Great Music and I am die hard Jacksons fan. I have been waiting for the CD for very long time. I hope you offer Jackie Jackson CD Be the one 1989 Album and Marlon Jackson CD 1987 Album.

True, there were no big pop hits here with the absence of Michael. But the four Jacksons that remained for this, their last disc on Epic, did their best to at least put together a record on-par with what was out there. It's too bad that Michael's name bared so much on the success of the group, because it's likely that if these songs were covered by most any popular act of the day, it would have been more commercially successful (the lame cover art didn't help, however!). Most of the songs are listenable, if not cookie-cutter synth jams. However, the Spanish-tinged "Maria," intense "Art of Madness," as well as the melodic and romantic "Private Affair" give listeners a few highlights. Sure, just about the whole family and extended family appear to sing on the title track, but it didn't result in success. At least they made a video for it, though it didn't gain much airplay. Though it's unfortunate that this record didn't garner commercial success, those who hear it can at least recognize the ability of the "other" Jacksons to stand on their own. Even without Michael, it isn't any worse than their 1984 "Victory" album.

It may not be the best Jackson album, but it does good to complete the collection of the iconic group. The copy I have has no cover (which is a pity seeing as I'm always curious to know who is or was involved with the songs in detail and the pictures) but it only take 5% of the enjoyment from the album.

2300 Jackson street was an make or break album for the brothers.Jackie Tito Jermaine and Randy.They were the remaining brothers after the Victory album and tour.Michael and surprisingly Marlon also having left the group for a solo career.A good showing meant a possible resigning with CBS records.Or being able to sign with a new record company.There careers were at stake as Michael was probably gone forever with his solo superstar status and having no interest in recording with the group again.And the brothers responded with an almost great album.Jermaine Jackson always a smooth soulful singer did the best singing of his life on this album.Jackie Tito and Randy were all solid too.They had three excellent videos to promote this album.Art of madness Nothing that compares to you.And 2300 Jackson street.They also performed on TV Jermaine Jackie and Tito performing Art of madness.Randy was promoting his solo album Randy and the Gypsies. at the same time.But CBS didn't promote this album properly.And the Jacksons didn't help themselves by having 3 solo albums out at the same time as this album.Jermaine Jackie and Randy all were divided with promoted there solo albums and the group album at the same time.Art of madness and Private Affair should have been big hits and gotten the brothers a new record deal.Jermaine was devastating on Private affair and throughout the album.Most people didn't even bother with the album when they didn't see Michael on the cover of the album.But this was a superb record and should have saved there careers and got them another recording contract even without there famous brother.

If your looking for the jackson five this is not the LP. This is Michael Brothers ONLY! Other than that the reecord came in time and in good shape!

I don't know why people say the album is bad just because Michael is not singing on it. There are more people who are "The Jacksons" than only Michael. Jermaine is a good lead singer. I personally like his voice even more than Michael's. The ballad with the same title as the album features all Jacksons but not La Toya. La Toya is not on the album at all.