Jermaine Jackson – Jermaine

Jermaine Jackson – Jermaine

Jermaine is the self-titled debut solo album from Jermaine Jackson, released by Motown Records in 1972 as the singer began establishing himself beyond his role as a member of the Jackson 5. Recorded between December 1971 and March 1972, the album showcases Jackson's smooth, youthful soul vocals across a mixture of Motown classics, contemporary soul and carefully chosen pop material.

The album opens with “That's How Love Goes”, a gentle soul swinger that became Jermaine's first solo hit, reaching No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. Elsewhere, Jackson takes on some excellent material from the Motown songwriting stable, including Holland–Dozier–Holland's “I'm In A Different World” and “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)”, demonstrating the connection between his emerging solo career and the classic Motown sound.

One of the album's most interesting features is its mixture of original Motown material and familiar songs from outside the label. Jackson delivers a soulful interpretation of Paul Simon's “Homeward Bound”, while “I Only Have Eyes For You” brings a timeless standard into a polished early-1970s soul setting. The album also includes a Motown favourite in “Ain't That Peculiar”, originally made famous by Marvin Gaye.

The closing track, “Daddy's Home”, became the album's biggest commercial success. Produced by The Corporation, the team behind many of the Jackson 5's early hits, Jackson's tender rendition reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him a substantial solo hit while he remained an active member of the Jackson 5.

Production and arrangements come from a strong selection of Motown personnel, including Johnny Bristol, Hal Davis, The Corporation, Gloria Jones, Pamela Sawyer, Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson, with arrangements by figures including David Van DePitte, Gene Page and H.B. Barnum. Jermaine himself is credited with vocals as well as bass, keyboards and percussion, highlighting his musicianship alongside his distinctive voice.

For collectors of Motown vinyl, classic soul, R&B and the Jackson family catalogue, Jermaine is an important early solo release. It captures Jermaine Jackson at the beginning of a career that would eventually produce major successes including Let's Get Serious, while retaining the sophisticated songwriting, arrangements and vocal style associated with Motown's golden era.

Tracklist

Side A

1. That's How Love Goes
2. I'm In A Different World
3. Homeward Bound
4. Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)
5. I Only Have Eyes For You

Side B

1. I Let Love Pass Me By
2. Live It Up
3. If You Were My Woman
4. Ain't That Peculiar
5. Daddy's Home