GOT TO BE THERE will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the very first album I ever purchased when I was a little kid...the VERY FIRST!! I was already a die-hard J-5 fan by 1971, and as hard as it was to save my allowance to buy GOT TO BE THERE, it was worth every penny! It still is.

Michael Jackson...my first crush, the first singer that really and truly moved me because he was only a few years older than I was, and this was his first solo album!! Forget what SOME people will say about OFF THE WALL being Mike's first outing away from the Jacksons (or should I say the Jackson 5, as they were still being called in 1971). Those people obviously don't know anything about the solo career MJ had on Motown; they simply group his solo work with that of his brothers - which there is nothing wrong with that, but Mike DID do solo work. So what if his brothers were singing background on those solo cuts?

Anyway, "Got To Be There" was Michael's first solo single, and his first hit. The rest of the album does not disappoint. All of the soul, passion and energy that was evident on MJ's J-5 work is present here: From the breathtaking reworking of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" to the funky remake of Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin", to the James Taylor classic "You've Got a Friend", the young Michael displays an amazingly mature vocal style that only showcases what would come in later years for him. One should not dismiss this as just another "bubble gum" pop/soul offering from a kiddie artist, which at the time, the industry seemed to be overrun with them (i.e. Donny Osmond, Foster Sylvers, Chee Chee and Peppy, etc.). It was, and still is, appealing to adults as well. Everything on this album (CD) clicks. Anytime I want to take a trip down memory lane, I play this and remember how much I loved Michael back then.

Standouts are "Maria (You Were The Only One)", "Girl Don't Take Your Love From Me", "Wings of My Love", "In Our Small Way" and Mike's second hit, "I Wanna Be Where You Are", but like I said, everything is enjoyable on it. Michael Jackson is a legend! No matter how history may try to smear his image or what he has done to himself over his adult years, NOTHING can change the fact that he was/is a remarkable talent. He made wonderful music, influenced and inspired millions of kids over three generations. GOT TO BE THERE is where it all began. It's a true classic, a must have.

Michael Jackson's first solo album-pre "Thirller" even.The

hits of course are the immortal tital song,"Rockin' Robin and "I Wanna Be Where You Are",sung by that precocious Jackson 5 headman of yore.The whole shabang starts with the breathtaking "Ain't No Sunshine",a dark,mysterious cover with a rapped intro that stomps all over Bill Withers original!Ditto on the original "Maria (You Were The Only One" and the Diana Rossish "in Our Small Way".A fantastic way to begin a career and

a true question mark as to what the heck happened to this guy in

the next twenty years!This shouldn't be as rare as it it is-it is

at it's very worst a musical historical document worthy of even

the most disriminating ears.

Young Michael Jackson at his best.

After this his first solo album, you knew that he was going to be

a star (a superstar). Some of my favorites are "Girl Don't Take Your Love From Me", "Maria (You Were The Only One)" and "In Our Small Way" made this an album that I had to listen to over and over again. Any true Micheal Jackson fans need this one in their collection.

And to think that Michael Jackson's debut album came when he was really just a kid! Michael is in top form on these tracks and he never misses a beat. In general, I think the backup singers enhance the songs--not that Michael ever really needed backup; but they do sound pretty good anyway. The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and the artwork is good, too.

The album starts off with Michael singing his heart out on "Ain't No Sunshine." Michael's voice is strong and the lush musical arrangement is just right for his vocals. The backup singers harmonize to perfection--and beyond! Overall, "Ain't No Sunshine" is a strong beginning track for this CD. "I Wanna Be Where You Are" by Leon Ware and Arthur "T-Boy" Ross is packed with energy; Michael sings this faultlessly and he handles complex tempo and key changes like the pro he was and still remains! "I Wanna Be Where You Are" is easily a major highlight of this album.

"In Our Small Way" is very easy on the ear for this hopeful love song; Michael aces this as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing. Of course, we know that it really wasn't all that easy; Michael's talent always carried him through. I love it! In addition, the title track, "Got to Be There" impresses me immensely. MJ sings this incredibly well and the melody is very pretty. "Rockin' Robin" is yet another tune packed with energy; its fantastic arrangement combines Michael's singing with some really fine music to make this a pop masterpiece.

"Wings of My Love" uses the strings to great advantage; and Michael sings this with all his heart and soul. Michael's cover of a number made famous by The Supremes, "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone," sparkles like silver and gold combined in his capable hands; and it's another major highlight of this album. "You've Got a Friend" ends the album with Michael doing a superlative job of placing his own stamp on this Carole King ballad; he plays a little bit with the tempo and the keys to make this song his own. Great!

Michael Jackson's music always made me feel elated; and it always will. I highly recommend this for his fans; and even newcomers to MJ will like this awesome CD.

Michael when he oozed soul out of every pore. If you listen to this then definitely hit YouTube and find the vid of him doing "I Wanna Be Where You Are" on American Bandstand when this album was released. You'll then understand his greatness and his endless contributions to Motown.