It may seem like overkill for MJ to release another greatest hits album after 2001's "Michael Jackson Greatest Hits HIStory Volume 1", but these songs are strong enough to warrant it (all of them were number one hits). This set omits the songs "She's Out of My Life", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "The Girl Is Mine" and "Remember The Time" that appeared on the 2001 greatest hits disc but adds 8 (!) other hits. "Smooth Criminal", "Dirty Diana", "You Are Not Alone", "Earth Song", "You Rock My World", "Break of Dawn", his newest song "One More Chance" and the concert version of "Ben" from The Jacksons live album. Although there are some number one hits still omitted, this CD is the more complete of the two. As a bonus, the songs are presented in chronological order this time too.

The CD has been released in four different covers representing separate eras of his solo career. Who knows which one Amazon will ship, but the cover pictured is my favorite. Don't worry about not getting your favorite cover though as all are included in the bookelt. Which brings me to the only downside to this collection - the skimpy liner notes. Every greatest hits colection should list release date and chart information. Not all of these songs were number one hits in the U.S. It would be nice to know where it hit number one and how long it held the position.

MJ fans probably already have all 6 of his CD's and therefore the main reason to get this CD is for the new song "One More Chance" which is classic MJ R&B. If you only have one or two of his CD's then NUMBER ONES will be a perfect addition to your collection. Highly recommended.

Michael Jackson's sanity is clearly a matter of debate, but only a fool would deny his talent and chart supremacy since leaving Motown. "Number Ones" is yet another collection featuring the usual lineup of his classic hits: "Billie Jean," "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough," "Beat It," "Rock With You," and so on. The tracklisting is presented in chronological order, starting with material from "Off the Wall," right up to the previously unreleased R. Kelly ballad "One More Chance" and a somewhat unnecessary live performance of "Ben." There isn't much for me to comment about the hits themselves, except to say that unless you've been living in a 25 year coma, you're already familiar with 90% of this album. But the problems with "Number Ones" are twofold: first, the tracklisting overlaps Jackson's previous hits album "HIStory." Do we really need yet another recycling of songs millions of us already have? Also, not all of the tracks on "Number Ones" topped the chart, such as the excellent "Smooth Criminal" and "Break of Dawn," a cut off 2001's "Invincible" that was never even released as a single. Is "Number Ones" a competent survey of Jackson's biggest hits? Yes, it is. But is it a necessary purchase? Not if you already own "HIStory." While listeners green to Jackson's work should pick this up, "Number Ones" brings almost nothing new to the table for those who already own his prior albums.

As the first few weeks of 2004 are upon us, and I'm sure Michael Jackson will be hoping that this year will bring him better luck than 2003 did. Despite dominating the tabloids with his appearance, the baby-dangling incident and THAT Martin Bashir interview, Michael Jackson still remains the King of Pop. There's some people who are famous. There are some people who are superstars. There are some people who are icons - and then there's Michael Jackson. Arguably the most famous entertainer alive, Jackson's 30 years reign on the charts is unchallenged.

So that's precisely why Michael's latest release, "Number Ones," is essential for all fans of brilliant music. Since the early 1980's Jackson has captivated the world with his music. We've had fun dancing to his music and cried to his emotional ballads, and that's why he's the greatest male performer ever. His talent is undeniable, and even though he's gone a bit off the rails in recent years, the world and his die-hard fans have never forgotten the music which is what matters the most.

First off, Number Ones is a title that tricks the buyer somewhat. There are eighteen songs on this album, and Jackson has had no where near eighteen US No.1 hits. He's had a total of 13 US No.1 singles, and his last was in 1995. Michael has had 7 UK No.1 hit singles, and his last was in 1997. His first UK No.1 hit was in May 1981 with "One Day In Your Life," which isn't included on here strangely enough. Michael's sixth US No.1 "Say Say Say" is also not included, and I have the UK version which includes "Human Nature" instead of "Man In The Mirror." Silly different regions and record companies! What is the point? Why not just have a complete tracklisting?! Also, "Ben," Michael's first ever US No.1, is included on the US version, but not on the UK version. Instead the UK gets "Blood On The Dancefloor," Michael's last UK No.1 single.

Apart from these minor hiccups, all of Michael's biggest and most popular hits are included here. The album opens with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You." Both songs are from Michael's debut album Off The Wall and both hit the US top spot. "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Thriller" are up next and all from Thriller, Michael's signature album. 50 million copies shifted worldwide, and nothing's going to take over it any time soon! Up next, we have six songs from the follow up to Thriller. Bad was Michael's third album, released in 1987 and sold 25 million copies as well. The songs from Bad on here are "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "Bad," "Smooth Criminal," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man In The Mirror" and "Dirty Diana." All these songs were huge hits and all were US No.1's, apart from Smooth Criminal.

After this we get "Black Or White," which was a huge US and UK No.1 hit. It's the only song on this compilation album from Michael's fourth album - 1991's Dangerous. "You Are Not Alone" was one of Michael's biggest hits ever, and is next on here, followed by Michael's biggest selling UK single, "Earth Song." No.1 for six weeks and shifting more than 1 million copies this masterpiece is a perfect world peace anthem. Michael's 2001 comeback single "You Rock My World" follows. It wasn't a No.1, so by rights it shouldn't be included here, but it's a great track, so why not? "Break Of Dawn" wasn't even released as a single, so it's got no excuse to be here! It's from Michael's trans-atlantic chart topping Invincible album from 2001. "One More Chance" is Michael's latest single, and will not top the charts by my 'expert' predictions. "Ben" closes the album, which goes back to the very beginning of his career.

OVERALL GRADE: 8/10

I think it was a wise move for Michael Jackson to release Number Ones. It provides new fans in their teens a chance to get to know Michael's best music, for those who were too young to be digging it when 1995's "HIStory" was released, because let's face it, even people in their early teens love Michael's music! I think some minor adjustments could have been made to the tracklisting to improve this album, but it's still not a bad collection and definitely worth the money. Upon its release this album didn't even crack the US Top 10 - Britney stormed to No.1 that week, but in the UK, Number Ones did just that, and went straight to the top of the charts! All in all a brilliant record to add to any Michael Jackson collection.

Some of the most memorial songs plus the new incredible performance "One more chance" has turned Number Ones into a number one album ever.

For those who have grown up with Michael Jackson this is a perfect diary which reminds their life process. It is really fabulous to have all these tracks in one CD.

No need to write about tracks because every one have at least heard them for one time except the last masterpiece "One more chance" which is a prove of a great return and makes fans eager for his exclusive performance "Xscape".

Interestingly enough, this new Michael Jackson disc isnt all number ones. I compiled a track listing with their original charting years and peak position on the billboard hot 100:

1. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough- 1 for 1 week (1979)