Rolling Stone (4/11/02, p.107):
Ranked #31 in Rolling Stone's "50 Coolest Records".
Rolling Stone (2/01/01, p.59):
5 stars out of 5 - "...Was and remains a perfect album....the rhythm never lets up, and neither does the quality....Never has Michael sounded so self-assured, his talents so right for the pop moment..."
Spin (p.112):
"It's only right that maybe the greatest single-artist disco album was the work of that generation's greatest dancer."
Q (9/99, p.128):
5 stars (out of 5):
"...one of the greatest albums ever made...all the songs are great, the sound is new and different, and it was a big part of pleasant people's lives at the time....some of the best melodies in the history of pop..."
Q (Magazine) (p.126):
"[Jackson] displayed a thrilling command of pop-dance dynamics, revealing talents only glimpsed on his four Motown solo albums..."
NME (Magazine) (10/2/93, p.29):
Ranked #93 in NME's list of the 'Greatest Albums Of All Time.'
Notes
OFF THE WALL remaster contains previously unreleased demos and commentary by producer Quincy Jones and songwriter Rod Temperton.
Personnel includes: Michael Jackson (vocals, percussion); Patti Austin (vocals); David Williams, Marlo Henderson, Phil Upchurch, Wah Wah Watson, Marlo Henderson, Larry Carlton (guitar); Larry Williams (flute, alto & tenor saxophones); Kim Hutchcroft (flute, tenor & baritone saxophones); Jerry Hey (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gary Grant (trumpet); William Reichenbach (trombone); Greg Phillinganes (electric piano, synthesizer); David "Hawk" Wolinski (electric piano); Michael Boddiker (synthesizer, programming); George Duke, David Foster (synthesizer); Louis Johnson (bass); John Robinson (drums, percussion); Randy Jackson, Janet Jackson, Richard Heath, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).
Producers: Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson.
Reissue producer: Bruce Swedien.
Recorded in Los Angeles, California between 1978 & 1979. Originally released on Epic (35745).
Digitally remastered by Bernie Grundman (Bernie Grundman Mastering, Los Angeles, California).
As the lead singer of the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson had already been labeled a legend at a young age; but OFF THE WALL introduced the world to the adult Michael Jackson, and proved that he was still very much worthy of that label. It was the real beginning for Michael as a solo artist, and opened the doors for his next album THRILLER, which would become the greatest selling album of all time and help foist upon a Jackson a new title: King Of Pop.
Under the supervision of Quincy Jones, OFF THE WALL illustrated some of Jackson's most soulful material. The title-track is among the album's smoothest, and introduces his silky feel for the dance-floor. The lively "Working Day And Night" was a teaser for the singles "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You," both of which reached #1 on the pop charts. Slowing down the pace, the album also hosted some romantic tunes which, through the years, have become classics in their own right. With "Girlfriend" and "She's Out Of My Life," Michael proved that he never lost his golden touch when it came to love songs.
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