If our interest in Jackson now concerns dangled babies and his unsettling friendships with preteen boys, it was Jackson as an entertainer who first held us in his thrall. His influence is immeasurable, and it's impossible to watch either Usher or Justin Timberlake, whether it's their transitions from teen idols to adult performers or how they sing and dance, without acknowledging Jackson as their blueprint.
Of course, both Usher and Timberlake should be lucky enough to have careers that remain as vital as Jackson's did for two decades. Yes, he's been around a lot longer, but it was 1969, when the Jackson 5 released their first (and first No. 1) single, "I Want You Back," through 1991's "Black or White," his last significant hit before he was first accused (though never charged) with child molestation, that constitutes the cream of Jackson's career.
Appropriately, this collection begins where Jackson's career began -- with the prepubescent ache of "I Want You Back," one of the most perfectly-realized pop songs you'll ever hear. Fresh out of Gary, Ind., Jackson, then 11, was already a fully formed star. There was such maturity and control in his falsetto, it was clear he had learned lessons from his elders, especially Jackie Wilson, and learned them well. Though disc 1 mainly features songs from the Jackson 5/Jacksons era, including "ABC," "Enjoy Yourself," and "Dancing Machine," there are some unforgivable omissions, such as "The Love You Save," "Goin' Back to Indiana," and "Can You Feel It." (All of which makes the need for a multidisc box set with just the Michael-Marlon-Jermaine-Tito-Jackie-Randy years overdue.)
