Recently, I ordered the Double Disk set of Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall" Album along with the Spike Lee Documentary "Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall". I heard so many great things about this documentary, so I knew that I needed to watch it for myself as a long time fan of Michael Jackson. Seven years have passed since his untimely death, so I believe that enough dust has cleared for people to appreciate Michael more for his timeless musical artistry instead of only remembering him for the caricature that the media made him out to be. This Documentary was very well organized and polished as Spike does extensive research into Michael's Decorated History from his time with his Brothers in the Iconic Jackson 5 all the way to his breakthrough as a Solo artist. The Title speaks for itself, as it is truly a journey into Michael's career heading into his First Revolutionary Masterpiece "Off the Wall".
Spike assembled a "Who's Who?" of Guests on this Documentary. Obviously, Michael's family, but also former Motown Powerhouse Berry Gordy. This Documentary also features Michael's contemporaries like Stevie Wonder, Verdine White from Earth, Wind and Fire, along with his Producer Quincy Jones, as well as those that were influenced by him, from Questlove of the Roots, Pharrell Williams, Rodney Jerkins (Darkchild), etc all the way down to songwriters and instrumentalists that he has worked with.
This is a full fledged anatomy of an album that continues to transcend music. Next to "Thriller", this is the Best Michael Jackson Album in my Book and this story shows exactly why it is. The first part of the Documentary focuses on the initial growing pains of Jackson in the group that gave him his first taste of stardom. The Jackson 5 were Black America's answer to the Beatles. They were a group that gave hope and inspiration, because there was nobody like them that appeared on shows like the Mickey Mouse Club or any other platform. The Jacksons were New Edition before New Edition. After a string of smash hits from 1969 and 1970, their popularity went through ebbs and flows as Michael started to mature and reach puberty. Outside of a song like "Dance Machine" it became harder for them to break the glass ceiling of the mainstream R&B Charts. Michael on his own showed signs of stardom with his song "Ben" which he performed at the Oscars in 1973.
Unfortunately, the Brothers were stifled creatively because of their contracts with Motown. In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown to sign with Epic Records to gain more creative freedom. Jermaine was the only one that stayed because of his marriage to Gordy's daughter. They rebranded themselves "The Jacksons", but record execs took them as a joke because of their cartoon series, which erroded their credibility as a crossover pop act. However, their managers were savvy enough to persuade Epic /CBS that this family fit their vision of what they wanted.
The Story also talks about how Michael linked up with the Producer that would change his life and his career, Quincy Jones. Michael and Quincy connected during the filming of the Wiz, and they both knew that they were the perfect fit. At this point, Michael was slowly weening away from his brothers and finding more of his own identity.
Michael was always a student of art, as he studied the likes of James Brown, Sammy Davis, Jr, all the way down to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. He was always looking for ways to perfect his craft, and that is a significant piece that Lee covers.
The Jacksons hit "Shake Your Body to the Ground" was pivotal in Michael's transition because it was a sign of things to come in "Off the Wall".
I also enjoyed the clips of the Triumph tour in 1981 because it shows how Michael truly was a General on the stage. As great as Beyonce is, she patterned her performances after Michael. No disrespect to B, but Michael is the Ultimate concert performer.
The most fascinating part of this film is the track by track review of the album itself. This is the meat of the film, because we finally get into covering the album that made Jackson an Icon. Pharrell, the Weeknd, Esperanza Spalding and others talk about how innovative this album was from a sonic standpoint.
This album was not only Michael's first with Quincy Jones, but it was also his first with songwriting powerhouse, the late Rod Temperton. Rod was also responsible for Heatwave's "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever" as well as George Benson's "Give Me The Night" and "Love X Love". Temperton was the premiere songwriter of the 70's. Three of Jackson's songs on this album were written by Temperton ("Rock with You", "Off the Wall", "Burn This Disco Out"). Their partnership would continue for the Thriller album, as he wrote the title track "Thriller", along with "Baby Be Mine" and "Lady In My Life".
It was also a shame how this album was treated at the time, as they did not even show Michael winning his Grammy for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". Instead, a commercial had aired as he received the award. It was a misunderstood gem at the time, worthy of more than one Grammy Award.
Track Listing:
1. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough:
The scream that Michael makes at the beginning of "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" is not only his scream of freedom, but it would be the signature sound of his career. This song was what set the rest of the album on fire because it was the launching pad for greatness. Side note: Michael also slides in a Star Wars reference when he says "the force".
2. Rock With You:
After "Don't Stop..." Michael cools things down with "Rock With You" which is a Skater's anthem. Michael's disco ball outfit fits the song perfectly, because I can imagine things slowing down at the skating rink as this plays. It's a great slow jam to kick off the weekend. This song has a disco feel to it, but it doesn't have the stigma. In other words, this song transcends it's time. This song gave the template for the black crossover style of music in the early 80's.
3. Working Day and Night:
Michael turns things back up with this song, as it is one of my favorites along with many others. It is a song about the typical working man that works from morning to night, but the rhythm is very explosive. Instead of working day and night, it makes you feel like dancing day and night.
4. Get On The Floor
This song was a smooth but edgy disco/r&b hit, as Michael wrote it with Louis Johnson from The Brothers Johnson. You could recognize Johnson's influence because it sounds like the song Stomp! by the Brothers Johnson themselves. The instrumentals blend perfectly with the way that Michael echoes as he sings.
5. Off the Wall
What else needs to be said? The Title Track was outstanding. It is simply about leaving the stress of the work week on the shelf have fun. As the song says "Life ain't so bad at all, when you're living off the wall". This was the third song on this album to reach the Top 10 singles chart. Clearly one of the top five songs on this album. After all, it is the title track.
6. Girlfriend
This is the most lighthearted song on this album and that is cool. After all, it was written by Paul McCartney, as it would be their first collaboration together. Paul had covered the song previously with his band at the time "Wings" on their album London Town. This was a sign of things to come in the future.
7. She's Out of My Life
This is the Love Ballad of the Album, as Michael expresses heartbreak and sorrow about a girl that is out of his life. He sings with raw heart and emotion. You could feel the pain that he feels as he sings quietly by himself in a chair. I'm sure everyone remembers that video, as it is since become a part of different memes for some time now. Eddie Murphy even used this song as part of his "Delirious" Comedy Show in 1983. This was the original "Let It Burn".
8. I Can't Help It:
This was written by fellow Music Icon Stevie Wonder, along with Susaye Greene, a later member of the Supremes. You can tell it has Stevie's influence, because it sounds like it could fit on "Songs in the Key of Life". Jackson's vocals give the song that perfect nocturnal feel to it.
9. It's the Falling In Love
Another great Love Ballad. This time, Michael sings a duet with Patti Austin, who is most known for her work with James Ingram. Side note: Temperton also wrote the song "Baby Come to Me" by Austin and Ingram.
10. Burn This Disco Out
The perfect way to end this album as it symbolizes the end of the Disco Era. The party was coming to an end and this is what it is about.
With Off The Wall, Jackson became the first solo artist to have four singles from the same album reach the top 10 ("Don't Stop...", "Rock With You", "She's Out of My Life").
Conclusion:
This album has been one of the premiere revolutionary albums of all-time, because the sound goes beyond the time period. Michael, Quincy and others made sure that this Masterpiece did not make any wrong moves to become dated. It was crucial in making the transition from the Disco Era to usher in the sound of the 80's. It was pivotal in establishing Michael's breakthrough as a singles star. There was enormous pressure, and he exceeded expectations on every side. Off the Wall was very slick and sophisticated R&B-pop, which explains why Jackson wears a tuxedo on the cover. Very symbolic. Off the Wall received great critical reviews from major publications. It has received 5 Stars from each of them, including Rolling Stone Magazine. Rolling Stone even ranked it number 68 on the list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time. When it comes to cultural impact, this album broke many records for Black Artists, as it helped to open doors for Michael to do things no other Black Artist before him had ever done. This is also considered by many to be their favorite MJ Album, no matter what race or background.
Awards:
1980 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
Three American Music Awards: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
Overall, Off The Wall was Michael's most Important Album because it perfectly set the tone for his Greatest Album ever, the Generation Defining Thriller. Michael laid the blueprint for other artists to follow when they want to leave a group and break out on their own. As a die-hard Michael Jackson fan, it is something for me to be truly proud of. For anyone else that is a true Michael fan, this would also make you proud.
Spike's Story of Michael's Journey along with this Genius Album receive 5 Stars.
