Jermaine Jackson | Jermaine Jackson (1984)
Jermaine Jackson | Jermaine Jackson (1984)
By Charles F. Sherard
Whats is going on with you old school party people? It's Charles...still fooling around with this turntable....
Did you ever get enough of Jermaine back in the 80's? I did. But never knew whether or not he was distinguished as an original singer without riding the coat tails of his younger brother Michael. Perhaps this solo album, "Jermaine Jackson" from Arista Records back in 1984 will sit him apart from the pack.
Keep in mind: Jermaine had other albums in rotation prior to this one. A total of 9 of them, and he recorded more thereafter. Had successful hits like, "Let Me Tickle Your Fancy", "Lets Get Serious", The jams by "The Jacksons", etc...But this LP for some reason or another 'tickled my fancy' even more and pop the dance floor steady. As well as caressed the heartbeat of love.
Lets get right to it. The Michael Omaritan produced "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good To Be True)" - duet with Michael Jackson highlighted the album from the start of the beat. It was cool to hear the brotherly tandem mix well with the background support of musicians Nathan East (Fourplay) & Ray Parker Jr. (Yes...Mr. Loverman). This sucka was off the chain!
...and then "Do What You Do" was a classic 'easy listening' format pleaser. Tell me, who still doesn't rewind and play this back on any given station? Music greats Michael Sembello and Paul Jackson, Jr. must have had their eyes closed when listening to this in the studio, swaying back and forth. Just knowing Jermaine was about to receive big love from fans all over.
The sleeper that gradually climbed up the charts with a hypnotic, catchy groove and great synth programming went to "Dynamite". Man, I still play this back all the time. It's on tape vol. 38 in my old school mix collection - named "Funky Charles Gettin' Down".
Can you imagine what is on vol's 1 - 37 up to that point? And after? I'll tell ya later...
By the way, I believe the album title was named that same name in other countries. There's album cover art actually showing 'Dynamite' as the album title. But for some reason, it also appeared without it. I uploaded my own copy of the album cover art above to give you proof.
So...the tracks I mentioned were standouts on the album, but the record does have its moments. Like the collaboration between Jermaine and songbird Whitney Houston for "Take Good Care Of My Heart". Sax legend Ernie Watts pulled out all the strings on his solo, as well as his part in track, "Some Things Are Private". Then there's another family reunion when Jermaine teams up with The Jackson's for single, "Escape From The Planet Of The Ant Men".
Overall, the album was balanced with straight to the heart kinda mixes and nifty gritty cutting edge head boppers. No messin' around here. Jermaine made a mark for himself with this project as well as in music. Despite the fact his brother Michael was taking over music back then and leaving no room on the basketball court (who could do what Mike did back then?), Jermaine still held his own. I celebrate his musical legacy with not only this album, but for his peaceful direction to R&B.
Play this one back. If you are still collecting good music, look for this one.
Peace,
Charles F. Sherard
We ARE The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 2/4/2011 10:56 AM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
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