Here is a difficult question – what is the most successful single for Motown in what is considered the label’s ‘Detroit Era’? If you said The Supremes’ 1965 hit “Stop! In The Name of Love” or the magnificent Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrel 1967 duet “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” you are sadly incorrect. Both are great answers, the correct choice would be The Jackson Five’s 1970 hit “I’ll Be There.”
Their fourth number-one hit in a row (which included 1969’s “I Want You Back” before “ABC” and “The Love You Save” both from 1970), the band of brothers was making history in the process. In fact, they would become the first group to have their first four singles hit number one on the charts. Furthermore, they became the first black male group to achieve four consecutive number-one Pop hits. Exceptional, the boys were only between ten and nineteen years old by that time with their whole future ahead of them.
Extremely busy and riding a way of fame, in 1970 alone they put out three albums to follow up the 1969 debut of Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5. First releasing the ABC album in the Spring of 1970, as fall was rolling in they were back with the simple titled Third Album, as well as a holiday album in October called Jackson 5 Christmas Album. Releasing Third Album on September 8, 1970, it was led by the single I’ll Be There” which was only recorded in June of that year and released just a little over a week before the album in late August. Talk about a tight schedule, the song made Third Album an immediate must-listen, and fortunately for The Jackson Five, there was plenty more to enjoy.
An album with eleven songs, and while “Mama’s Pearl” was the only other single released, there were still some fantastic performances here. You had a stellar rendition of “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love)” which was originally made famous by The Delfonics, as well as Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” sung magically by Jermaine Jackson on lead. Just a few of the engaging covers, some other fantastic listens include The Jackson Five original “Reach In” with Jermaine and Michael Jackson perfectly handling leading vocals.
Overall, The Jackson Five’s Third Album was a monumental step forward toward a more mature sound for the band. Selling more than six million copies worldwide, now in 2024 fans can celebrate it with a brand new vinyl reissue from Elemental Music. The second album from The Jackson Five released by the label in 2024 a part of their Motown Sound Collection, first came Get It Together on August 16th before this one arrived on October 18th. Offered as a special transparent red vinyl pressing, it also includes the original front and back artwork. Sounding sensational and dynamic, the production of Hal Davis, along with Motown’s famous teaming of The Corporation, you can also hear elements of Rock-n-Roll, Funk, and Soul bleed through here.
So, if you fancy yourself a fan of classic Motown and want to refresh yourself on the significance of The Jackson Five’s impact, this reissue is essential. Something to consider as a Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one, Cryptic Rock gives the new special red edition vinyl release of The Jackson Five’s Third Album 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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