ABC - THE JACKSON 5****

The Love You Save/One More Chance/ABC/2-4-6-8/(Come Round Here) I'm The One You Need/Don't Know Why I Love You/Never Had A Dream Come True/True Love Can Be Beautiful/La-La Means I Love You/I'll Bet You/I Found That Girl/The Young Folks

ABC was the quick follow up album from Motown's then hottest act, the youthful Jackson 5. Includes two US chart topping hits, the title track and The Love You Save, both of which reached the UK top ten. (US:4 UK:22)

"Recorded while Motown was at its apex, with a massive stockpile of songs that some artists had already had hits with, and some that were just hanging around ready to be made into hits. Also they were then young enough that their voices still harmonized well together. They could make songs, written by grown-ups about how difficult it was to deal with emotions, sound simple and wonderful when sung by children."

"The kid was 11 or 12 when this was recorded, and he has all that soul in his voice. These songs will never get old - this is a Motown classic. From the period when rock, soul, pop just had that groove. No pop music of today even comes close to this."

"Feel good soul pop that makes you sing and dance along. It is teen pop that actually cares about sounding good, not just showcasing a product and is thus greater than being a gimmick where the music can speak for itself. The first side has some classic hits and the rest holds up quite well. The only complaint that I have is a common one with child groups that it's a bit too sugary sweet, lacking a full range of emotional depth, but really that's not what we're here for."

"ABC is the greatest album assembled by a group of young teens. The title track and The Love You Save made people want to get up and start dancing. The Jackson 5 had reached their pinnacle of success with this album thanks to the help of Berry Gordy and his powerhouse group of producers, songwriters and composers dubbed 'The Corporation'. The Jackson 5 wouldn't enjoy as much later success."

"The Jackson 5 were the last of the great Motown acts from the label's halcyon days. Their first release showed they had talent, but ABC confirmed that these kids were something special. Combining the group's perfect vocals, The Corporation's supreme production and a stellar list of songs, ABC is an R & B gem. The album contains two number one singles, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. What made Michael so impressive a vocalist at the tender age of 12, is that he could interpret songs and convey feelings that someone of his age probably never felt."