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Third Album by The Jackson 5

Third Album

Release Date: 1/16/1989

Recording Date: 9/1970

Tracks: 11

Length: 00:37:23 Hrs

Label: Motown

Type: CD,CS

Genre/Styles:
Soul, Pop/Rock, Motown, Vocals, Pop-Soul, AM Pop

What the Critics Say

Less than three months following the release of ABC came the Jackson 5's aptly titled follow-up, Third Album. This two-fer CD also includes their subsequent long-player, Maybe Tomorrow. As with their predecessors, these albums contain a diverse mixture of R&B, funk, and soul styles, all the while remaining vibrant, fresh, young, and most definitely pop. Although still formulaic in approach, the Corporation -- consisting of Motown founder Berry Gordy along with Deke Richards, Freddie Perren, and Fonce Mizell -- were able to garner significant success by blending a few well-placed cover songs, such as "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and "16 Candles," with continued contributions from Philly soul stylists Thom Bell and William Hart on "Ready or Not (Here I Come)." As the Jackson 5 phenomenon continued, however, the Corporation became increasingly dependant upon their own skills and formidable credentials. Not only were all four singles -- two from each album -- written and produced by the team, they also provided the majority of the material for Maybe Tomorrow. Tracks such as "I'll Be There," "Goin' Back to Indiana," "Mama's Pearl," and "Sugar Daddy" would become well-known performance staples and fan favorites. The secondary layer of material is equally matched for the high-energy soul antics of Michael's imposing talent. That is not to dismiss the formidable contributions of the other brothers, especially on "It's Great to Be Here" and "My Little Baby." Their increased role as support and co-leads were forging new boundaries. Following the seasonally maneuvered Jackson 5 Greatest Hits disc in November 1971, the Corporation disbanded. ~ Lindsay Planer, Rovi

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