The Jackson 5 Album: “Dancing Machine/Moving Violation”

I don't really understand Mowtown sometimes and this is why. While the Jackson 5 have had many hits with the label its seem as though Berry Gordy and the other label heads forget to promote songs that are actually better than the more famous singles. Case in point, the songs "Moving Violation" and "(You Were Made)Especially For Me" should have been hit songs of 1975. For some reason they always thought that other songs were better. They done a great job as a whole but sometimes they really leave you thinking. "Forever Came Today","All I Do Is Think Of You", and "Honey Love" are also great songs that were actually singles(except the latter) but did not receive the recognition that they deserve.

To me I actally believe this is their best album of their Motown releases. Every song is great and their is no filler here(believe it or not). Michael's vocals were in peak form, and Jermaine's coleads are remarkable as usual. If your a true Jackson fan or fanatic this album is a must have. The Dancing Machine album is also exceptional with standouts being the afformentioned title song, "I Am Love","Life Of The Party", and "Whatever You Got I Want". These are the last to albums with Motown before they left (minus Jermaine and with brother Randy) to sign with Philadelphia International/Epic. Two great albums one great disc, and a ton of hits you'll be singing for a while!!!

Several things make these albums winners.I care enough to list em'

1) The group was clearly heading into the funk/disco era. There are some damn good dance tunes on both albums. However, there are two bubblegum songs on Dancin Machine. "If I don't love you this way" is one of them. Personally, I like this ballad, but the fact that Mike's voice was still in transition gives the song more of a childish feel. Both CDs have knockout songs and great ballads, but the Moving Violation album proves that the Bubblegum is gone for good.

2) Mike's voice is in peak form on these albums in my opinion. It's evident that his voice matured during the Dancin Machine recording sessions because he sounds more mature on some songs than on others (For instance, he sounds less mature on "What you don't know" than he does on most others) His voice wasn't childish at all on the Moving Violation CD. His voice was such an instrument. He could reach the top of his tenor voice in an instant. There's no falsetto, no hiccups, no grunting, no "hee-hees!!" The boy could SANG. Listen to "All I do is think of you" and you'll see what I mean. Damn, I wonder if he could still sing like that? Or was his voice change still incomplete? I'm not sure, but regardless, many of MJ's forgotten, but best vocal performances r on these albums. Quite honestly, the material is pretty good on both albums. I wonder why these albums flopped?

the dancing machine album is so great, I could listen to that without skipping a song. I love the instrument arrangment so much in I am love, dancing machine and what you don't know have great melodies and if I don't love you this way is a beautiful ballad that mary j blige covered a few years ago

moving violation is funky too but it's full of hits and misses. Body Language, Breezy, call of the wild and a couple others are great but it doesn't flow as well as dancing machine though I give it to them for bringing fans the funk in their music before leaving motown to join epic

I was a little girl listening to L.A. soul station KGFJ when I first heard this and all I remember was my mouth hitting the ground because this definitely didn't sound like "ABC" or "Dancing Machine". It was and is an absolutely AMAZING song and I'm so happy to have found it again.

It opens with Jermaine's silky smooth vocals accompanied by mellow organ stylings with a hint of the guitar to follow. It then flows into this trippy psychodelic almost Sly Stone-esque sound with Michael's strong trademark phrasings then just goes full on into this rocked-out space jam.

This song was as instrumental as Jimi Hendrix in making me a rock/metal fan.

This is eight minutes of absolutely STELLAR musicianship that proved the Jackson 5 weren't just a cute song and dance act, but real musicians who were totally innovative. This song has scorching riffs, serious keyboards and a funky bass groove that you could still dance to.

I am so thankful to Amazon to be able to rebuild my vast Jackson album collection from wax to digital. Having this music and the memories is priceless. When i hear Dancing Machine I am immediated transported to another time and place and I remember my hair, my clothes, the fashion, the teen pin up magazines with Michael and the Jackson Five. I remember all the songs from both of these albums and they are great great great. Thanks Amazon, thank you Michael and the Jacksons. Your music was the sountrack of my life totally.