Off the Wall [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [SPECIAL EDITION]

Off the Wall, Given the pace of Michael Jackson’s post-Thriller release schedule, it’s striking that Off the Wall appeared between two albums with his brothers, Destiny (1978) and Triumph (1980), on which the twentysomething phenomenon was also fully engaged. Aided by richly detailed but not overdone production, Off the Wall redefined how much Michael might do.

Tracks like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Rock with You,” the title cut (all Top 10 singles), and “Burn this Disco Out” not only consolidated his dance-floor power, but showed just how soulful and varied his vocals could get on uptempo material. Artistic role models like James Brown and Jackie Wilson echo through the mixes, but these were Jackson’s leaps forward. The addition of pure pop confection–Paul McCartney’s “Girlfriend,” Stevie Wonder’s “I Can’t Help It”–further fleshed out the star’s young-adult persona and helped make Off the Wall among the most fondly remembered of all his solo work. This special edition features two magic home demos and entertaining, insightful interviews of producer Quincy Jones and “Rock with You” composer Rod Temperton

Off the Wall Reviews

Michael will continue being a great artist, many grew up listening to his music, the influence of many artists and many people in several ways, idol of many generations, victim of its own and the media too, my respects to one of the most talented and amazing artists of all time, R.I.P, is so sad but someone also decided, God maybe, well GOODBYE MICHAEL, you always be one of the greatest.
In this simple and humble personal tribute to Michael, I want to express my deepest feelings.
My favorite Michael Jackson’s album is and always will be “OFF THE WALL”, an impeccable production by Quincy Jones, wonderful musical arrangements, full of energy and emotion, This album opened the door to Michael Jackson in his solo career, the construction of this album is incredible, musically speaking, Horns, strings, electric guitar, and real drums are among the various instruments forming the sonic template for nearly the entire album, As good as the music is, it’s Michael’s performance that truly elevates the pop here from good to excellent. There’s an irresistible charm that Jackson exudes almost every second that he’s singing, and a bare minimum of one great hook to be found in each song.

When Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones teamed up to record the 1979 album “Off the Wall,” I doubt they knew what kind of beast they were about to create. Spawning four Top Ten singles including two Number Ones, “Off the Wall” blasted into the Top Ten and gave Jackson his biggest solo success at the time. But chart domination aside, the album is a classic collection of funk and disco-laced soul that holds up amazing well today. His magical voice breathed life into infectious hits like “Don’t Stop til You Get Enough” and “Rock With You.” He also cruises effortlessly through the hyperactive “Working Day and Night” and the blazing title track. But Jackson, I think, triumphs best on “She’s Out of My Life.” If tossed into the hands of a lesser singer, this song would have been a disastrous sapfest of maple syrup sentiment, but it’s Jackson’s delivery that makes this song a genuine “she-just-dumped-me” ballad. Three years later, he would return to the scene with a little album called “Thriller” which sold, oh, maybe a few million copies worldwide. But “Off the Wall” should be credited as the album that put Michael on the map as an adult solo star, and it holds up as a verified classic.

When Michael Jackson released Off The Wall in 1979, he was a mere 21 years old, but he had been in the business for a decade. He had released several solo albums and singles (even topping the charts with “Ben” in 1972), but they were under the control of Motown. Off The Wall was his first real solo release as he was in charge. Mr. Jackson was always thought of as an unique talent, but he blew away everyone’s expectations with the album. The album has a definite dance vibe, but although disco was at its height of popularity, the album doesn’t fall in the disco category. The songs have fat grooves that make you want to dance, but the core of the songs belong to Mr. Jackson and not the production as is the case with most disco songs. “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” is the album’s first track and single. It is a brilliant track with soaring strings and popping rhythms that has a spoken word intro that moves into a high falsetto. Mr. Jackson sings the song in the falsetto, but he interjects spoken word into verses that provide an echo to the lead. The song was a justifiable number one hit. “Rock With You” was the second single and is much slower in its beat, but you can still groove to it. It also topped the charts. “Working Day & Night” is a musical workout that sounds like a forerunner of “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” from Thriller. “Get On The Floor” is a fiery call to arms that in which he doesn’t ask that you get up and dance, but demands it. The title track has a funky vibe to it and “Girlfriend” is a Paul McCartney song that is pumped up a bit from its slight original, but is still the weakest track on the album. “She’s Out Of My Life” is a straight ballad that is sung with heartbreaking sincerity. In fact Mr. Jackson literally broke down while singing it and you can hear the sobbing on the song. “Burn The Disco Out” closes the album in apocalyptic fashion and is a perfect capper to the album. Off The Wall was a major success that spawned four top ten hits, sold over 10 million copies but surprising never hit number one on the album charts, topping out at number three. The remastered version contains demo versions of “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” & “Working Day & Night” as well as interviews with Quincy Jones & Rod Temperton.

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