Customer Reviews

La Toya Jackson

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Obviously not in the state of mind to be the last member of the Jackson family to record an album (that honor would go to big sister Rebbie)LaToya came out with this album in 1980 and,actually wound up becomming the FIRST Jackson girl to record rather then the last (prefiguring her little sisters debut Janet Jackson by a couple years.Even at this time LaToya was the shy and somewhat sheltered "middle child" of the Jackson family and it comes off all too clearly in her timid,restrained singing. To some it comes of as pure vocal weakness but most of the time,that isn't the case at all. Luckily for her LaToya chooses to begin the album in the best possible way with the "If You Feel The Funk"-it sounds not unlike a Patrice Rushen hit of the same vintage but has a lewdness in it's lyrics I am surprised that then heavily Jehovah's Witness LaToya could manage to project.Many of these cuts are cut from the same basic cloth as the pop/R&B/disco projects that Jermaine was cutting at this time,only without the strong sense of craft and they certainly bare little resemblance to the majestic sounds The Jackson's were getting the same year on their Triumph album.Even Janet's collaberation with Michael "Night Time Lover",while a good dance tune is too much an obvious clone of a Donna Summer tune to really stick out.But this album is home to three other truly great songs-"My Love Has Passed You By" is a pretty EWF type ballad featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica (a really nice touch too).Another great song here is "Lovely Is She";now Wonder isn't on this track but the arrangement of the synthesizers brings him to mind,and the light latin inflected melody is pretty infectious."If I Ain't Got It" ends the album the same way it begun-with hefty funk and,this time around,a more lyrically assertive LaToya.So while nothing on 'LaToya Jackson' qualifies as truly wretched,if this music were precious metals exactly half this album is pure gold.The other half may be good quality brass but they all shine in much the same way.And no matter what it's nice to have this long forgotton album available for those who really want to hear it.

I would have to disagree with many of these comments posted here on La Toya Jackson. I had to chuckle over La Toya comments on the liner notes. She blamed everyone for the way the album turned out except herself. The fact is the songs were very good for that time period and her vocals were the problem. Producers let stuff slide when Toya simply could not nail the notes. It's already clear she doesn't possess strong pipes but had given good vocal coaching she could have delivered a better performance.....

This was much better than Bad Girl, I'd strongly recomend this for LaToya fans. It did have some very good songs, like night time lover, that's one of my favorites, But honestly, I'd like them to release My special Love because it has stay the night, which (I feel) is the second best song she ever did.

I'm very pleased to see this album finally on CD. Just got mine today, and must say, the people at CherryPop Records who released this (originally acquired from Polydor) did a lovely job in keeping the integrity of the original artwork and packaging. Not to mention the audio quality.

"If You Feel The Funk" was one of the singles set for LaToya Jackson and she performed it and the stunning single, "Night Time Lover" on television in 1980, upon its release. The latter song was produced by Michael Jackson, and you can hear his vocals in the chorus. I always felt this was one of LaToya's strongest songs, perfectly suited for her. Also heard are contributions by Ollie E. Brown and Stevie Wonder. Very good old school R&B.

Cherry Red Records has released La Toya Jackson's self-titled 1980 debut album on CD for the very first time. This was the first time the music world had heard from La Toya as a solo artist. 1980 was around the end of the disco era, Le Toya's album is very good. Some of the songs have a disco feel to them, like "Save Your Love," and others are straight R&B joints.

La Toya worked with some big names for her first album. The album includes writing by Billy Ocean, Michael Jackson, and a young Janet Jackson. The artists who lend their vocal and musical accomplishments to the album are equally impressive. Ray Parker Jr., Patrice Rushen, Michael Jackson, Ollie Brown, and Stevie Wonder among other artists.

LaToya's album is solid and impressive. Vocally, Letoya can sing just as good as any of her brothers and sisters. It's surprising that this album isn't more highly regarded. The CD interior artwork is beautiful. The disc also includes new liner notes and Latoya's UK discography.

Major kudos to Iain and the powers that be at Cherry Red for this one! I never thought I would live to see the day this album would be on CD! Now we need "My Special Love".

The Queen of Pop's first foray into recording, her eponymous debut feautres aural delights like the bass slamming "If You Feel the Funk", the innocuous "Lovely Is She", and the introspective "My Love Has Passed You By." Definitely a must for anyone who loves classic old school music.

La Toya's self titled album is a solid effort. With the exception of "A Taste Of Love (Is A Taste Of You)", every other song suits La Toya's whispy vocals. I agree with the idea that La Toya would have gained her most success as a Disco Diva because there were many successful female singers, both solo and in music groups or projects who had singing vocals similar to her own. However, with the right lyrics and production to bring out the best of her voice, she can excel at both funky Dance songs and smooth Soul/Quiet Storm styled ballads. An example of this is the surprisingly sunning Soul ballad, "My Love Has Passed You By." I enjoy the songs such as "If I Ain't Got It", "Lovely Is She", "Save Your Love" and of course the hit lead single, "If You Feel The Funk." Overall, of the La Toya albums avaliable to purchase, this is certainly recommended! Let's hope the fabulous album, "Startin' Over" gets release soon!!!

This was her first project. It was when she was young and innocent before her marriage and madness. The material was nothing stellar but during this time, the Jackson's were ruling radio. It is good to have a memoir of the time period.

Being in the Jackson family, it's almost a given that you will try your hand at a music record. Better yet, it seems that each and every one of the siblings has something good, or amazing, to offer. With Michael as the undisputed superstar of the family, Jermaine as a very talented and versatile artist capable of giving the King of Pop a run for his money every now and then, and Janet perceived as a strong contender to the Queen of Pop throne, there seems to be doubt as to which other sibling has the potential to rise to the top. Older sister Rebbie produced some fine releases in the 80's and had a solid hit with the Michael Jackson produced "Centipede", Jackie released a fine, late 80's Funk Pop record with "Be the One", and Marlon did his thing with 1987's "Baby Tonight", but still no other sibling besides Michael, Jermaine, and Janet has achieved the name recognition to appeal to the masses.

With the release of her 1980 self titled album, middle sister La Toya was well on her way to making that name for herself, even before younger sister Janet had tried to do so. Though vocally not as strong or trained as others in the family, La Toya had a special something, a unique voice perfectly suited for the Disco/Funk styles that dominated the airwaves during the late 70's and early 80's, plus a lot of charisma and the looks of a model. It does not hurt that there were some great, catchy arrangements on songs like "If You Feel the Funk", which peaked at #101 on the Billboard charts, "Save Your Love", "Are You Ready?", and "Night Time Lover", produced by brother Michael, who was becoming one of the best and most recognized singers in the world after the success of his "Off the Wall" record. La Toya also showed an ability to sing ballads as she did on "My Love Has Passed You By" and "A Taste of You(Is a Taste of Love)". This was a very good record that was overlooked despite the fact that it showed La Toya's potential and her ability to make the most out of her qualities. From this point on, she would continue the progression on her next record, "My Special Love" and then released a truly good, although forgotten, 80's Funk Pop gem in 1984 titled "Heart Don't Lie", which was also her most successful album ever.

After that things started to go downhill in her musical career and La Toya became known the world over but for other controversial reasons such as her Playboy photo sessions and her statements regarding Michael Jackson during the 1993 accusations. Regardless of what some think about La Toya, musically she had some talent, enough to make the Pop world take notice and a longtime music fan such as myself feel the need to praise her through a review like this. Give her a try and you might be surprised.

Gualbert