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The Jackson 5 “Dancing Machine” album cover, showcasing the group in vibrant attire, emblematic of the “dancing machine song” era.
The 1974 album Dancing Machine by the Jackson 5 is perhaps best known for its eponymous hit single, “Dancing Machine Song,” a track that unexpectedly propelled the album and the group to new heights in the disco era. Released in September 1974, the album arrived as the popularity of the “dancing machine song” was reaching its zenith, capitalizing on the dance craze it had ignited months prior. This retrospective look into Dancing Machine delves into the album’s context, its musical highlights, and its place within the Jackson 5’s discography.
The Unexpected Rise of “Dancing Machine Song”
The timeline surrounding the release of Dancing Machine is quite revealing. The “Dancing Machine song” itself was initially recorded in the spring of 1973 and first appeared on the Jackson 5’s Get It Together album, released in September of the same year. While Get It Together featured the title track as its lead single in August 1973, “Dancing Machine” remained an album track for a significant period.
It wasn’t until six months later, in February 1974, that “Dancing Machine” was officially released as a single. This delay strongly suggests that Motown Records initially underestimated the potential of the “dancing machine song.” It’s plausible that the organic buzz generated by local radio DJs and the burgeoning disco club scene, who were playing the song without prompting, alerted Motown to its burgeoning popularity. This grassroots momentum likely compelled the label to finally release “Dancing Machine” as a single, a decision that proved to be incredibly lucrative. As noted in previous reviews, “Dancing Machine” became a massive hit, ranking as the fifth biggest song of 1974 according to Billboard. The song soared to #1 on the R&B charts and #2 on the pop charts, firmly establishing itself as a defining track of the year.
A Last-Minute Album to Capitalize on a Hit
With the “Dancing Machine song” dominating airwaves and dance floors, Motown swiftly moved to capitalize on its success with an album bearing the song’s name. Despite the “dancing machine song” being nearly a year and a half old by the album’s release, its popularity was still incredibly fresh and potent. This rapid album creation, however, suggests a somewhat rushed and opportunistic approach.
Evidence points to the album being assembled rather hastily. It’s speculated that three tracks on Dancing Machine—”Whatever You Got, I Want,” “What You Don’t Know,” and “If I Don’t Love You This Way”—were originally intended for a Michael Jackson solo project. The absence of vocal contributions from the other Jackson brothers on these tracks supports this theory. Even with these repurposed songs, Dancing Machine remains a relatively brief album, clocking in at just 32 minutes. Adding weight to this speculation, Michael Jackson did not release a solo album between April 1973 and January 1975, a departure from his usual solo album release cadence of every 6-8 months.
Despite its seemingly hurried and commercially driven nature, Dancing Machine surprisingly emerged as the Jackson 5’s strongest LP since their early masterpiece, ABC. A significant factor in this success is attributed to producer Hal Davis. Davis, who had previously worked with the Jackson 5 on their proto-disco hit “Never Can Say Goodbye” in 1971, was granted full production control on Get It Together. He continued to steer the group towards a more dance-oriented sound, culminating in the explicitly disco-infused Dancing Machine album.
Diving into the Music of Dancing Machine
“I Am Love”: A Genre-Bending Opener
“I Am Love” (#5 R&B, #15 pop) stands out as a unique and ambitious track within the Jackson 5’s catalog. It represents their most adventurous foray into blending genres, seamlessly weaving together elements of jazzy soul, progressive rock, and funk.
The song commences with a mellow, jazzy soul section, featuring Jermaine Jackson’s lead vocals accompanied by an echoey electric keyboard. However, the subtle undercurrent of prog-rock is already present with the inclusion of an electric guitar. Around the 2:30 mark, the progressive elements become more pronounced as shimmering, video-game-esque keyboards emerge and the tempo begins to shift. The brothers’ chanting vocals, delivering lyrics that are both thoughtful and slightly whimsical, build the momentum as a clavinet introduces a heavy funk groove. By the 3:30 point, “I Am Love” fully transforms into a prog-funk spectacle. Electric guitar, acoustic piano, and clavinet are unleashed in a dynamic instrumental interplay, while Michael and Jermaine Jackson trade vocals. The continued chanting from the other brothers injects a surge of energy, propelling the song through its exhilarating final four minutes. Even at its extended 7:27 runtime, “I Am Love” feels like it could have been even longer, showcasing the band’s and the brothers’ captivating groove. The single version, which inevitably shortens the track, is a disservice to the song’s carefully crafted flow and should be avoided.
Dance Floor Fillers and Soulful Grooves
“Whatever You Got, I Want” (#3 R&B, #38 pop) offers a pleasing dose of bluesy soul, serving as a well-placed interlude between the expansive “I Am Love” and the subsequent tracks designed for the dance floor.
“She’s a Rhythm Child” initiates the album’s boogie segment, functioning as a mid-tempo precursor to the title track, “Dancing Machine“. It’s worth noting that the version of “Dancing Machine” included on this album is a slightly remixed and shortened rendition compared to the original on Get It Together. This remixed version, clocking in at 2:49, is arguably inferior to the grittier and longer 3:30 original. Nevertheless, it remains a fantastic track.
“The Life Of The Party,” despite not being released as a single in the United States, has become a beloved album cut, frequently included on Jackson 5 compilations. It’s a genuinely fun disco-funk song, where the Jacksons sound completely at home. The lyrics perfectly capture the song’s lighthearted and dance-centric spirit:
There will be dancin’, prancin’
With a little romancin’All you gotta do is dance, dance, dance
All you gotta do is clap your hands, hands, handsYou can boogie, you can boogie
You can boogie, you can boogie
You can move, move, moveYou can boogie, you can boogie
You can boogie, you can boogie
You can move, move, moveLet’s get down, down, down, down, down, down
Let’s get down, down, down, down, down, down
The final club-ready track is “What You Don’t Know“. This song exemplifies how early disco was a melting pot of genres. It incorporates elements of jazz-funk, particularly in its horn arrangements, alongside a prominent fuzz guitar and busy percussion, creating a rich and layered sound.
Cooling Down and Psychedelic Closers
Moving into the album’s latter half, “If I Don’t Love You This Way” provides a smooth mid-tempo ballad for a change of pace. “It All Begins and Ends with Love” holds the distinction of being the first Jackson 5 song where each member of the group takes a turn at the microphone. While perfectly acceptable as album filler, it doesn’t particularly stand out.
The album concludes with “The Mirrors Of My Mind,” a truly special and somewhat psychedelic track. This song features even more clavinet, complemented by a delicate flute and Latin percussion, creating a unique and intriguing sonic landscape that encourages contemplation.
Album Verdict: B+
Dancing Machine is a slightly concise album at 32 minutes, but it’s arguably better to leave the listener wanting more than to overextend and dilute the overall quality. The album stands as a testament to the Jackson 5’s adaptability and their ability to deliver a compelling disco-infused project, even under potentially rushed circumstances.
Track Scores
- I Am Love: 8/10
- Whatever You Got, I Want: 7.5/10
- She’s a Rhythm Child: 7.5/10
- Dancing Machine: 8/10
- The Life Of The Party: 8/10
- What You Don’t Know: 7.5/10
- If I Don’t Love You This Way: 7/10
- It All Begins and Ends with Love: 6/10
- The Mirrors Of My Mind: 7.5/10
Previous LP: Get It Together(C+) Next LP: Moving Violation(B-)
