AMG Review of Anthology: The Best of Michael Jackson

Jose F. Promis
All Music Guide

Motown's 1995 anthology of young Michael Jackson's musical output prior to his groundbreaking era that began with Off the Wall is nothing short of definitive, collecting all of his charted U.S. Motown hits, including "Got to Be There," "Rockin' Robin," "I Wanna Be Where You Are," "With a Child's Heart," "We're Almost There," "Just a Little Bit of You," and his first solo chart-topper, "Ben." There are also five Jackson 5 singles, including "I'll Be There" and his incredibly soulful take on "Never Can Say Goodbye." The collection even includes "Farewell My Summer Love," which, although recorded in his youth, became a minor Top 40 hit in the spring of 1984. In his youth, Michael Jackson was impassioned, heartfelt, and soulful way beyond his young years and, had he never hit his electrifying stride that followed these releases, he would still have left quite a legacy of music, as is demonstrated by this first-rate collection. Those seeking a comprehensive anthology of Jackson's early work need look no further -- all the classics are here. Incidentally, a previous issue of this anthology was issued by Motown in 1986 -- this one bests it with four additional tracks, those being "Greatest Show on Earth," "We've Got a Good Thing Going," "Make Tonight All Mine," and "Cinderella Stay Awhile."