Jermaine Jackson Albums (11)
'Don't Take It Personal'
Release Date 11/10/2009
Tracks 10
Label Sony
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Jermaine Jackson made his mark on this album with the number one single "Don't Take It Personal." With a percussive rhythm and the coolness of Jermaine's consoling intonation, this moderate number propelled its way to the top of the Billboard R&B charts. One of only two songs to reach number one for the Gary, IN native. (The other was "Let's Get Serious.") "Two Ships (In the Night)" and "I'd Like to Get to Know You" are also midtempo numbers which peaked at 21 and 27, respectively. The former, written and produced by David Conley and David Townsend of Surface, is a dulcet composition with a steady flow complemented by trembling shades of a trombone. The latter has mellow urban groove in which Jackson releases a soulful plea. It was written by Bernard Jackson, also of Surface. While "Make It Easy on Love," a duet with Miki Howard, has a sweet melody, the chorus is too busy and intense. Jackson displays a soulful aggression on "So Right." Other excellent takes include "Rise to the Occasion," a duet with La La, and "Next to You." ~ Craig Lytle, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Jermaine Jackson's sole LaFace release, You Said, is most known for the controversy (or hype) surrounding the supposed lyrical attack on his brother Michael on the album's second single, "Word to the Badd." But taken on its own merit, You Said was one of Jackson's better post-Motown albums. Produced by the LaFace family -- L.A. Reid & Babyface, Kayo, and Darryl Simmons -- the credits also listed longtime Jackson collaborator John Barnes (Rebbie Jackson's gold single "Centipede," Janet Jackson's "You Don't Stand Another Chance," and the Jacksons' "Torture" and "Body"). Like Janet declared her independence on "Control," Jermaine does so on "Rebel (With a Cause)" while Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid supplies burning power chords and lighting fast solos. "I Dream, I Dream" sounds a lot like the original version of Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step I Take." "A Lovers Holiday" and "Treat You Right" (with vocals by Babyface) are done in the style of "Tender Lover." The ballad "True Lovers" softly lurches along like "Whip Appeal." Opening with swirling harps, "Don't You Deserve Someone" comes closest in fire and spirit to his emotive, classic ballads (the Jackson 5's "I Found That Girl," his own "My Touch of Madness" from My Name Is Jermaine). Though at times, You Said sounds derivative of LA Reid & Babyface's previous productions, it's a joy to hear Jermaine's vocals upfront, unlike many of his post-Motown albums where they were buried under a mountain of production and effects. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After nearly eight years as a Motown solo act, his career was punctuated by false starts and major, sporadic hits. Jermaine Jackson, his first for Arista is his first album since 1982's Let Me Tickle Your Fancy, and has him doing a slicky produced variant of the R&B/pop his brother was making sound effortless. The biggest hit here, the jaunty "Dynamite," mixes smooth R&B with a hint with a new wave-ish rhythm and synth patterns that has his ingratiating tenor sounding strong and confident. The percolating and infectious "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)" is a duet with brother Michael Jackson. The song attains a well-produced L.A. pop/R&B sound, and has the nervous energy, if not paranoia, of other like-minded Jackson family performances. In the reunion vein, "Escape From the Planet of the Ant Men" features the Jacksons. With its mind-boggling premise and over-production, it all but obscures the fact that it's one of Jackson's strongest vocal performances here. As a devout fan of Marvin Gaye, the artist also has a few romantic moments here, too. The sultry "Do What You Do" boasts a strong arrangement and Jackson's persuasive vocals. "Take Good Care of My Heart," a duet with Whitney Houston, has the two having good chemistry. The last track, "Oh Mother," is an emotional and spare ode that has Jackson's voice at times resembling Art Garfunkel. While Jermaine Jackson's not a perfect album, despite the ground covered, it is a strong one. ~ Jason Elias, All Music Guide
'Let Me Tickle Your Fancy'
Release Date 1/1/1982
Tracks 10
Label Motown
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
One of the best albums Jermaine Jackson ever made, and certainly his best at Motown. The title cut was a Top 10 R&B hit and Top 20 pop smash and got Jackson some significant publicity. It also was his final album at Motown, as he switched to Arista after participating in the Victory tour and album the next year. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The best of his Motown albums features Stevie Wonder's brilliant songs and production. For once Jermaine sounded inspired, and that feeling is sustained throughtout. One of the high points in his career, and the effort was worth it. ~ John Lowe, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
My Name Is Jermaine was Jermaine Jackson's first Motown album released after his brothers, the rest of the Jackson 5, had left the label for CBS Records. As pointed out in the top-rated 1992 ABC-TV miniseries The Jacksons: The American Dream, Jermaine felt loyalty towards the man, Berry Gordy, and the label, Motown, that had catapulted him and his family into superstardom. The first single was the classic disco single "Let's Be Young Tonight," co-written and produced by Michael Lovesmith. Labelmate Thelma Houston's vocals are interwoven throughout the LP's tracks. The Lovesmith-produced "Faithful" is one of the best vocal showcases for Jermaine and features a sizzling duet break between him and Houston. Even though Jermaine is pictured with a bass on the cover, there were no musician's credits on the original record album. So it's a mystery as to who's responsible for the outstanding, hyperkinetic bass playing on the tight cuts "Look Past My Life" and "Tonight"'s flip side "Bass Odyssey." Kenneth Lupper infuses gospel-tinged piano and organ on the sly, slow "Who's That Lady." The LP's last two tracks find Jackson at his most romantic on the record. Both the shimmering, string-filled "Stay With Me" and tender "I Just Want to Thank You" have an airy, classical romanticism, while the sax-led slow jam "My Touch of Madness" written by Michael Lovesmith received radio play as an album track and can be heard on some movie soundtracks. "Let's Be Young Tonight," is on the 1991 Motown CD Jermaine Jackson-Greatest Hits & Rare Classics. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
One listen to Jermaine and it's clear whose voice was responsible for the jumpy energy of the Jackson 5 -- one hint: it wasn't the Afroed Jackson on the cover of this album. It's not so much that Jermaine Jackson can't sing, but rather that the flowery, overly orchestrated production by the Corporation drowns the songs in a sea of schmaltzy strings and poor arrangements, taking away all their movement (or as with "I Only Have Eyes for You," their mystery). One gets the feeling that with material like "Homeward Bound" and "Daddy's Home," Berry Gordy was trying to turn Jackson into a middle-of-the-road pop singer, but Gordy would've been better off harnessing Jackson's natural inclination toward uptempo dance material rather than sentimental ballads. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Music Guide
