**Introduction**

For my second review of a Michael Jackson album since his death on thursday I have decided to review the album that is widely regarded as his debut album even though he had already released solo albums before but as Part of The Jackson Five franchise. In the hours after hearing the news about Michael Jackson's death I was devastated and stayed up until 7.30 in the morning listening to every album from Off The Wall to Invincible.

**Off The Wall**

Off The Wall saw Michael Jackson's eclectic taste really come to the fore with a mix of funk, disco-pop, soul, soft rock, jazz and pop ballads. Off The Wall was recorded in Los Angeles and was released in 1979. This album is often charted in greatest albums of all time lists from music magazines and also websites. It is not hard to understand why when you listen to it. So here is Off The Wall.

1.) Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

This was a massive hit, It opens with that unmistakable bass hook which is incredibly funky, then Jackson's phenomenal falsetto comes in that is just so effortless and joyous. This track combines disco pop and Funk to superb effect and is one of the best tracks he ever recorded in the style.

2.) Rock With You

This is another brilliant track, this time combining funk and pop with a bit of soul. I love the laid back feel of this track with the smooth backing vocals. This song was written by Rod Temperton who was asked by producer Quincy Jones to write three tracks and they would choose one for the album but Jackson and Jones like all three and they stayed.

3.) Workin' Day and Night

This opens with an interesting sound which then blends into his incredible falsetto which sounds just so enjoyable. This has such a brilliant feel and is one of the best tracks both vocally and musically of his early career. This has such a brilliant feel.

4.) Get on the floor

This is a funky disco track about getting on the dance floor and just letting the music guide you. His vocals are superb again with more vocal experimentation than on his Thriller album. This is yet another fine track which is a great slice of funk and disco pop.

5.) Off the Wall

This is the title track and continues the disco pop feel, this has less funk than the previous tracks. It still features the incredible falsetto from Michael Jackson that is so prevalent on the album. You really need to hear his falsetto on this album to realise how great it is.

6.) Girlfriend

This song was written by Paul McCartney who at the time was a good friend of Michael Jackson's. He wrote the song for Michael Jackson and he really liked it so recorded it. McCartney had recorded a version with Wings. This has a more poppy feel than the previous tracks and has a much more laid back feel than the previous tracks.

7.) She's Out Of My life

This is one of the greatest ballads of all time. This was a song written by Quincy Jones three years previously that he had carried around with him. Jackson really like the sentiment of the song and recorded it for the album. This is widely regarded as one of his greatest vocal performances for the sheer beauty and believability. An awesome track.

8.) I Can't Help It

This was written by Susaye Greene and Stevie Wonder. You can really feel the Stevie Wonder influence and this is a laid back soul track which has some catchy melodies and features some great vocals from Jackson not quite up to the mesmeric standard of much of the album but still very good indeed.

9.) It's The Falling In Love

This is another poppy track which has some nice melodies. The guitar licks remind me a little of his material from the Jackson Five. This has a great feel and features some dramatic music and some great vocals. Another very good track indeed.

10.) Burn This Disco Out

This brings you back to the disco funk of the first few tracks of Off The Wall. This is a great closer than has an interesting mix of the style of Rock with you and Workin day and night. This is a very good track indeed.

**Overall**

This album was the start of the huge star Michael Jackson became. This album has sold well over 20m copies worldwide and without this Thriller may not have become the biggest selling album of all time. Although there are only ten tracks on the album it's fair to say that seven or eight of them are classics whereas the other couple are very good indeed. Michael Jackson will live on in his timeless music.