What is Michael Jackson's place within Disco?

**NikkiH** · April 1st, 2006, 01:00 PM

I've been lurking around this board for quite some time, and I have seen Michael's name being thrown around a lot, but I have never seen anyone give any opinions to what Michael's place within our favorite genre of music is.

When I think of Michael in the Disco era, I think of his work with the Jacksons in the late 70s to early 80s, and his work with Quincy Jones on Off the Wall. But does all that music secure him a place within Disco or am I missing a bigger picture? What do you all think?

**Videoskooter** · April 1st, 2006, 03:34 PM

Absolutely, the Jacksons and Michael are certainly part of the Disco era. "Off the wall" is an album that's regularly on my decks and is a great Discorecord IMO.

However I don't consider "Thriller" very Disco since the vibes were changing back then.

One of my absolute favourite Jackson's tunes is: "Let me show you (the way to go)".

Of course you can't deny the Quincy Jones influences on all these tracks, so check out the recent topic on QJ:

http://www.discomusic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13777

**Disco Funk** · April 1st, 2006, 07:38 PM

Actually, Show You The Way To Go was from the philly Gamble & Huff produced album. They did a couple on CBS right after they left Motown. The first album, which included Enjoy Yourself, is my favourite Jacksons album. The second Philly record was not so great. On Motown, they sort of dabbled in disco, with tracks like Forever Came Today, and the proto-disco Dancing Machine. In addition to the Off The Wall cuts, I really like Blame It On The Boogie and Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).

Disco Funk

**ol'skinflint** · April 1st, 2006, 08:17 PM

would be a little known song called "Think Happy". It's a Gamble and Huff composition/production, and when I hear it I think Gamble and Huff were trying to mimic the old Jackson 5 records on Motown, and Michael and one of his brothers trade off vocals as they did on some of their Motown classics. The lyrics aren't exactly deep but the song has sweeping strings and the vocals are really exuberant. I, as are many others, am quite fond of "Show You the Way to Go". It's funny though that one of the reasons (as I understand it) that the Jacksons initially left Motown is because they felt so dominated by Motown's writers and producers, but when they went to Philadelphia Internations, THEIR writers and producers dominated them almost as much (but the group did eventually begin to write and produce most of their own material). And I never did understand why Motown refused to allow them to use the name "Jackson 5" after they left the label. What was Motown going to do with the name "Jackson 5" after they had no group anymore? Maybe start a new Jackson 5, possibly with Latoya doing what she calls singing?

**eddie** · April 2nd, 2006, 01:12 AM

Relationships end bitter and if I can't have it, nobody will.
Ray, Goodman, and Brown went through a similar thing!

**Disco Funk** · April 2nd, 2006, 06:55 PM

I guess the name 'Jackson 5' was owned by Motown? I thought it had to do with Jermaine going on his own. Funny thing, Jermaine also recorded a Philly disco tune ('Good For The Gander') at some point, but stayed with Motown the whole time.

Disco Funk

**needlefingers** · April 3rd, 2006, 12:04 PM

Another good disco album from The Jacksons is Triumph from CBS in 1980.

It is wholly produced and written by The Jacksons.

Dance hits include Can You Feel It and Walk Right Now.

Other pop/dance hits: Heartbreak Hotel and Lovely One.

**Mario** · April 3rd, 2006, 06:51 PM

Hello Guys... :) I remember the summer of '75 dancing to a "discoish" Michael Jackson song entitled: "Just A Little Bit Of You"...
To coin a popular Bandstand phrase....It had a good beat and it was easy to dance to... :D

Take Care... Mario 8)

**remicks** · April 4th, 2006, 01:58 AM

Originally Written by Mario

I remember the summer of '75 dancing to a "discoish" Michael Jackson song entitled: "Just A Little Bit Of You"...
8)

335) JUST A LITTLE BIT OF YOU - Michael Jackson
(Motown) B= 3; D= 6; Total points = 9
2 weeks on the chart (2/22; 5/24/75); Peak: #25

Disco song # 335 on Marky's year-end 1975 chart.
8)

*****

**MixMasterMax** · April 4th, 2006, 10:34 AM

The Jacksongs had a great club hit in 1973, Hum Along And Dance. Very strong base line and few words..."ain't no words to this song/you just dance and hum along". It's interesting how most people accept that disco started a few years later. :roll:

**Disco Dave** · April 5th, 2006, 10:23 AM

Don't forget the obvious Jacksons tunes.

Jacksons:
Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
Dancing Machine
Can You Feel It
Blame It on the Boogie
State of Shock

MJ (solo from Off the Wall):
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough
Rock With You

They might not be as underground but might as well start with the obvious and then get more obscure.