Customer Reviews

I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With all the J5 did over the years, there simply had to be unreleased material--and I'm thrilled that this CD has finally come to be! This is an absolute must have for Jackson 5 fans; these young men take on these songs so well that every one's a gem--there's not a single dud in the track set! The quality of the sound is excellent and I like that artwork, too.

The CD gives us all sorts of goodies--we get the much anticipated "Buttercup" that gets me tapping my feet to the beat even when I don't realize I'm doing it! Michael sings his vocals to perfection and his brothers never let go of a superfluous note. The music fits in perfectly with their singing, too. "That's How Love Is" shines bright with lots of energy; this awesome tune features a young Michael Jackson singing his words out like a pro; his genius was obvious from a very early age and again his brothers perform very well as they make "That's How Love Is" a terrific highlight of this album.

Listen also for "Love Comes in Different Flavors;" I really like this tune and the way they handle it makes it shine. "Lucky Day" and "Listen I'll Tell You How" are equally special.

Of course there are fresh renditions of other, more familiar J5 songs that are wonderful to hear. The CD starts with a great medley of "I Want You Back;" "ABC" and "The Love You Save;" and it all holds its own very well to make these three songs cohesive. "Never Can Say Goodbye" is gorgeous--Michael's singing is quite good and the musical arrangement is creative and pleasing to my ear at once. "ABC" gets a fine treatment from the J5 and the CD ends strong with these fine young men performing an alternate rendition of "Dancing Machine" that works flawlessly.

J5 fans, rejoice! This is one heck of an album that should have been released sooner. Could there be more unreleased masters hidden in the vaults somewhere, waiting to be recorded onto CD and made available to the world? Probably so--and I hope we get more of these amazing songs very soon. They can't come fast enough for me!

For the first time since 1995's J5 box set "Soulsation!" comes a significant package of previously unreleased music from the Jackson 5. While there are only 8 truly new releases, the 4 familiar tracks are here in alternate versions; for a long time fan like me, I never would have dreamed they'd put the TV performance versions on CD, but I am glad they are here. The J5 medley (I Want You Back/ABC/The Love You Save) is familiar but lively; Never Can Say Goodbye emphasizes the clavi-synth and a new ending. What's more, ABC is here in an earlier version--it's amazing how much it changed from what seemed to be a pretty much complete song (presented here) to what eventually came to be. Lastly, Dancing Machine is also here in a similar form to its eventual release, the main draw being nearly 2 additional minutes over the single version.

As for the newly released songs, well, they're awfully good. "Listen I'll Tell You How" is among the best, combining a driving beat with soulful lead and harmony vocals. Hearing them take on Curtis Mayfield's "Man's Temptation" is a unique approach for the group, while "That's How Love Is" is exemplary in their trademark vein of bubblegum pop. And what can be said of "Buttercup," from the often-rumoured Stevie Wonder-produced J5 album that never came to be. Sure makes me wish it had! The album represents the group dynamic well, as all 5 of the boys get turns at lead vocal lines throughout the disc. You even get to hear Jackie sing without his crazy-high falsetto, for the first time on a Motown release. Things do lose a bit of steam toward the end; "I'll Try You'll Try" is perhaps a bit out of place, and there's a piece of fluff or two here ("Love Comes In Different Flavors," "Lucky Day") but overall this CD had me smiling and ready to play it again immediately.

Now if only Sony/Epic would some day do the same with the post-Motown Jacksons' music...

striaght up i wanted buttercup the cut that Stevie Wonder did on the J5 and anything else Stevie was pushing toward the J5. these cuts are cool. the harmonys were tight and polished and the production and music was soulful as always. what can you say about the King of Music Michael Jackson? he always left a mark with his presentation and delievery. truly some strong material and the arrangements were cool. not necessary alot of what i'd call vaulted stuff that i'd say that would add to a incredible legacy as it is, however good to always add more. the J5 were a once in a lifetime Group.

Amazing that this group can sound as fresh and new today with these "should be hits". From the rare Stevie Wonder produced song (Buttercup) to a completely new version of "ABC", this compilation will show the skill of this supergroup.

1995's "Soulsation" collection unearthed some wonderful "greatest songs yuo've never heard" form the J5, including "Let's have a Party," "I'm Glad It Rained," their ultra-sexy version of "It's Your Thing," and the lovely "Teenage Symphony." This collection provides more such goodies.

The first thing that's noteworthy are the versions of "Never Can Say Goodbye", "ABC," and "Dancing Machine" that we would have heard in an alternative universe. The ABC alternative take has a juicy call and response, while the other two versions are even better than the ones we've heard all our lives!

"Love call" "That's How Love Is," and the Stevie Wonder penned "Buttercup" could have easily been hits. This set whets the appetite for more unreleased stuff.

Some 14 years after the last previously-unreleased Jackson 5 tracks came out on the "Soulsation" box set, finally we have some more - and they're incredible! Some of these tracks are easily the equal of the classics that came out on the group's original albums, and it's also great to hear some intriguingly different versions of some of the hit singles. The booklet essay hints that there are "dozens" more unreleased Jackson 5 masters still in the Motown vaults (and I recall once reading an interview with Jackie Jackson in which he said that he thought there were "about 400" unreleased tracks - though maybe he was exaggerating), so let's hope we don't have to wait another 14 years to here another collection of them.

These songs are amazing! Why is this the first time we are hearing them!? Regardless, I am glad they are out now. Very excited to receive and blast in the car!

This is an example of a rarities album done the right way! The Dancing Machine and Never Can Say Goodbye alternate versions are really interesting and stand very much on their own. The whole album is an enjoyable listen and a must-have for J5 and Michael fans!

Wow. These songs are as great as the hits we've been loving for years. Thank you Motown for putting out these rare, never before released tracks. I love, love, love them!

I don't often write reviews out here but I've got to give it up for this new Jackson Five CD. This is an absolute must have for Jackson fans, ESPECIALLY if you are a fan of the Jackson Five. Since Michael passed away there have been all of these compilations and remixes released and this was refreshing to have some actual new music (or at least previously unreleased songs). I also love the fact that music is of the quality that you would find on their albums. The songs don't sound like something they found on a tape in a back room. I assume these songs were fully recorded and just missed making the albums. The studio medley of I Want You Back/ABC/Stop The Love You Save was really nice to hear. You've got to listen to the alternate versions of Never Can Say Goodbye, ABC and Dancing Machine. They are different enough from the versions we're familiar with that they give you a new experience listening to them. Now on the the other songs.....I could beat Motown with a wrench for not releasing Buttercup - the song written for them by Stevie Wonder. WOW!!! What a song and Michael's in great voice. I have not been able to get that song out of my head since the first time it played. How could that song not make it to a Jackson Five album???? Completely beyond me, but I'm so glad to have it now. Other standouts for me were That's How Love Is, Love Call, Listen I'll Tell You How and Lucky Day. Man's Temptation was just okay for me and I'll Try You'll Try was really a different sound for them - made me think of a soundtrack to a blaxsploitation movie.

If you get nothing else from this review, know that Jackson Five fans will find this as an absolute treasure!!!! Even the casual Jackson fan will enjoy this CD but if you're like me and your favorite Jackson music was that from the Jackson Five - Early Merry Christmas to you!!!!!