Tag Archives: The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5: Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

On December 12, 1969, “Motown” label released “Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5”, the debut Jackson 5 (The) studio album. It was recorded May – August 1969, at “The Sound Factory” in Hollywood, California, and was produced by Bobby Taylor and The Corporation (Berry Gordy, Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards).

Personnel:

  • The Jackson 5 (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael) – vocals
  • David Blumberg, David Van DePitte, Paul Riser, The Corporation – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – artwork direction
  • Ken Kim – artwork, design
  • Jim Hendin – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah – Ray Gilbert, Allie Wrubel
  2. Nobody – The Corporation
  3. I Want You Back – The Corporation
  4. Can You Remember – Thom Bell, William Hart
  5. Standing in the Shadow of Love – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  6. You’ve Changed – Jesse Reese
  7. My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy, Hank Cosby
  8. Who’s Lovin’ You – Smokey Robinson
  9. Chained – Frank Wilson
  10. I Know I’m Losing You – Cornelius Grant, Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland
  11. Stand – Sylvester Stewart
  12. Born to Love You – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson

Melvin Ragin

On October 24, 2018, Melvin M. Ragin aka Wah Wah Watson died aged 67. He was musician (guitar), famous for his unique skills with wah-wah pedal. He was member of The Funk Brothers, the studio band for “Motown Records”, recorded and performed with Dizzy Gillespie, John Lee Hooker, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, Thelma Houston, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Michael Jackson, Maxwell, The Beach Boys, George Benson, Bobbi Humphrey, Janet Jackson, Yung Berg, Blondie, Norman Whitfield, The Undisputed Truth, Donald Byrd, Labelle, Love Unlimited, Cher, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gloria Gaynor, The Temptations (his guitar work on “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”), Pointer Sisters, Martha Reeves, Rose Royce, Bob Scaggs and Herbie Hancock. As leader, Wah Wah Watson released one solo album (Elementary, 1976).

Gene Page

On August 24, 1998, Eugene Edgar Page Jr. aka Gene Page, died aged 58. He was a conductor, composer, arranger, and record producer, one of the most successful arrangers and conductors from the mid-1960s through the mid-1980s, who worked on more than 200 Platinum and gold records. He created specific sound in the arrangements, and work with numerous artists including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, George Benson, The Jackson 5, Jefferson Starship, The Righteous Brothers, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Roberta Flack, Elton John, Leo Sayer, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, Helen Reddy, Lionel Richie, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Donna Loren, Martha and The Vandellas, Cher, Barry White, The Love Unlimited Orchestra, and Dionne Warwick. Page released four solo albums and composed soundtracks for few movies.

Stevie Wonder: Fulfillingness’ First Finale

Fulfillingness'_First_Finale

On July 22, 1974, “Tamla” label released “Fulfillingness’ First Finale”, the  seventeen Stevie Wonder studio album. It was recorded in 1974, at “Record Plant Studios” and “Westlake Recording Studios” in Los Angeles; “Media Sound” and “Electric Lady Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Stevie Wonder, Robert Margouleff and  Malcolm Cecil. In 1974, the album won three  “Grammy Awards”, including “Album of the Year”; “Best Male Pop Vocal” and “Best Male Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance” (for Boogie On Reggae Woman).

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder – lead and backing vocal, Fender Rhodes, Hohner clavinet, Moog bass, piano, hi-hat, cymbals, O.N.T.O. synthesizer, drums, handclaps, percussion
  • Michael Sembello– electric guitar
  • Sneaky Pete Kleinow– pedal steel guitar
  • Michael Sembello – acoustic guitar
  • Reggie McBride – electric bass
  • James Jamerson– acoustic bass
  • Bobbye Hall– congas, bongos
  • Rocky Dzidzornu– congas
  • Robert Margouleff, Malcolm Cecil – synthesizers
  • Bobbye Hall –cuíca
  • Bob and Malcolm – Moog, programming
  • Jim Gilstrap– backing vocals
  • Deniece Williams – backing vocals
  • Paul Anka – backing vocals
  • Syreeta Wright– backing vocal
  • Shirley Brewer – backing vocal
  • Larry “Nastyee” Latimer – backing vocal
  • Minnie Riperton– backing vocal
  • The Jackson 5– backing vocals
  • Lani Groves – backing vocals
  • Shirley Brewer – backing vocals
  • The Persuasions– backing vocals
  • Sergio Mendes – Portuguese lyrics

Track listing:

  1. Smile Please – Stevie Wonder
  2. Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away – Stevie Wonder
  3. Too Shy to Say – Stevie Wonder
  4. Boogie On Reggae Woman – Stevie Wonder
  5. Creepin’ – Stevie Wonder
  6. You Haven’t Done Nothin – Stevie Wonder
  7. It Ain’t No Use – Stevie Wonder
  8. They Won’t Go When I Go – Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright
  9. Bird of Beauty – Stevie Wonder
  10. Please Don’t Go – Stevie Wonder