Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Got to Be There
2. Maria (You Were the Only One)
3. Rockin' Robin
4. Ain't No Sunshine
5. I Wanna Be Where You Are
6. Girl Don't Take Your Love from Me
7. Ben
8. People Make the World Go Round
9. Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
10. We've Got a Good Thing Going
11. When I Come of Age
12. I Want You Back [Single Version] - The Jackson 5
13. Who's Lovin' You [Single Version] - The Jackson 5
14. Darling Dear [Single Version] - The Jackson 5
15. Never Can Say Goodbye [Single Version] - The Jackson 5
16. Maybe Tomorrow [Single Version] - The Jackson 5

Disc 2:

1. With a Child's Heart
2. Happy (Love Theme from Lady Sings the Blues)
3. Morning Glow
4. Music and Me
5. We're Almost There
6. Just a Little Bit of You
7. Dear Michael
8. I'll Come Home to You
9. If 'N I Was God
10. Who's Looking for a Lover
11. One Day in Your Life
12. You're My Best Friend, My Love
13. It's Too Late to Change the Time
14. Call on Me
15. Melodie
16. Farewell My Summer Love

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11236 in Music
• Released on: 2008-08-26
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Album Description
Here for 2008, The Essential Two CD set commemorating Michael Jackson's 50th birthday. Features his greatest songs recorded in his early days as a solo artist on Motown Includes the hits 'Got To Be There', 'Ben', 'One Day In Your Life, et al, culled from five solo albums. Includes popular album cuts, including those made famous again as hip-hop samples. Also includes single versions of Jackson 5 hits featuring some of MJ's greatest vocals. Essay by Duke University scholar, author and J5 fan Mark Anthony Neal.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Compilation of Early Work!!!
I don't know about others, but I feel that Michael Jackson's music was part of the soundtrack of my life. I can pinpoint different points in my growing up, the joys and sorrows, the valuable lessons and invaluable disappointments - every step of the way, every tear and laugh, every new and lost love, Michael's music was there. He often said that all he wanted to do through his songs and performances was make people happy. He did that and more for me. I feel as if I owe him something in return that I will sadly never be able to repay. I wish that I could have waved a magic wand and made him happy, but the depth of his sadness was too great for anyone to overcome. Now that he's gone, I lament his untimely death, but I also rejoice in the musical legacy he left behind. And I have a sneaky suspicion that he will be even bigger in death than he was in life. Already today, young children enjoy his music just as much as their grandparents. I think that cross-generational admiration of his genius will only grow so that 20 years from now young kids will not be saying "who was Michael Jackson" as much as they'll say "can I hear that song again - he was BAD!!!"

The Greatest
what can i ever say about the Genius that is Michael Jackson. in my lifetime no other musical figure has meant more or inspired my ears more than this man. he was incredible as a child artist and he had that gut bucket brand of soul in his voice that you just can't teach. the singles represented here showcase the greatness of a younger MJ. great songs,production and a voice that is timeless then and now.

An excellent way to remember early Michael, now that he's gone.
I wanted to go back in time, to my growing-up days when Michael was my first crush, and when his voice and image were a constant in my life. He gave me many great years, musically, and I'm glad I was on this planet at the same time as he was.