1979 Michael Jackson – Off The Wall

Off the Wall is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on August 10, 1979 by Epic Records following Jackson’s critically well-received film performance in the The Wiz. While working on that project, Jackson and Quincy Jones had become friends, and Jones agreed to work with Jackson on his next studio album. Recording sessions took place between December 1978 and June 1979 at Allen Zentz Recording, Westlake Recording Studios, and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California. Jackson collaborated with a number of other writers and performers such as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Rod Temperton. Five singles were released from the album. Three of the singles had music videos released. Jackson wrote three of the songs himself, including the number-one Grammy-winning single “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. It was his first solo release under Epic Records, the label he would record on until his death roughly 30 years later.

The record was a departure from Jackson’s previous work for Motown. The lyrical themes on the record relate to escapism, liberation, loneliness, hedonism and romance. Several critics observed that Off the Wall was crafted from funk, disco, soft rock, jazz and pop ballads. Jackson received positive reviews for his vocal performance on the record. The record gained critical acclaim and recognition and won the singer his first Grammy Award. With Off the Wall, Jackson became the first solo artist to have four singles from the same album peak inside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The album was an enormous commercial success; as of 2014 it is certified eight times platinum in the United States and has reportedly sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best selling albums of all time.

On October 16, 2001, a special edition reissue of Off the Wall was released by Sony Records. Recent reviews by AllMusic and Blender have continued to praise Off the Wall for its appeal in the 21st century. In 2003, the album was ranked number 68 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The National Association of Recording Merchandisers listed it at number 80 of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time. In 2008, Off the Wall was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Tracks

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson) 6:05
Rock With You (Rod Tempterton) 3:40
3  Workin’ Day And Night (Michael Jackson) 5:13
4  Get On The Floor (Michael Jackson, Louis Johnson) 4:39
Off The Wall (Rod Tempterton) 4:06
Girlfriend (Paul McCartney) 3:05
She’s Out Of My Life (Tom Bahler) 3:38
8  I Can’t Help It (Stevie Wonder, Susaye Greene) 4:29
9  It’s The Falling In Love (Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster) 3:48
10  Burn This Disco Out (Rod Tempterton) 3:44

Musicians

1 Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

BassLouis Johnson
DrumsJR Robinson
GuitarDavid Williams
GuitarMarlo Henderson
PianoGreg Phillinganes
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetJerry Hey
TrumpetGary Grant
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa
PercussionRandy Jackson
PercussionRick Heath
Background VocalsAugie Johnson
Background VocalsJim Gilstrap
Background VocalsPaulette McWilliams
Background VocalsZedric Williams
Background VocalsMortonette Jenkins


2 Rock With You

BassBobby Watson
DrumsJR Robinson
GuitarDavid Williams
GuitarMarlo Henderson
PianoDavid Wolinski
SynthesizerGreg Phillinganes
SynthesizerMichael Boddicker
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TrumpetJerry Hey
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetGary Grant


3 Workin’ Day And Night

BassLouis Johnson
DrumsJR Robinson
GuitarWahWah Watson
GuitarPhil Upchurch
PianoGreg Phillinganes
TrumpetJerry Hey
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetGary Grant
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa


4 Get On The Floor

BassLouis Johnson
DrumsJR Robinson
GuitarWahWah Watson
ClavinetGreg Phillinganes
TrumpetJerry Hey
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetGary Grant
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa
Background VocalsAugie Johnson
Background VocalsJim Gilstrap
Background VocalsMortonette Jenkins
Background VocalsPaulette McWilliams
Background VocalsZedric Williams


5 Off The Wall

BassLouis Johnson
DrumsJR Robinson
GuitarDavid Williams
GuitarMarlo Henderson
PianoGreg Phillinganes
SynthesizerGeorge Duke
SynthesizerGreg Phillinganes
ProgrammingMichael Boddicker
TrumpetJerry Hey
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetGary Grant
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa


6 Girlfriend

BassLouis Johnson
DrumsJR Robinson
GuitarMarlo Henderson
GuitarWahWah Watson
PianoGreg Phillinganes
ProgrammingSteve Porcaro
SynthesizerGeorge Duke
SynthesizerDavid Foster
TrumpetJerry Hey
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetGary Grant


7 She’s Out Of My Life

BassLouis Johnson
GuitarLarry Carlton
PianoGreg Phillinganes


8 I Can’t Help It

BassLouis Johnson
DrumsJR Robinson
PianoGreg Phillinganes
SynthesizerGreg Phillinganes
TrumpetJerry Hey
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetGary Grant
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa


9 It’s The Falling In Love

BassLouis Johnson
DrumsJR Robinson
GuitarMarlo Henderson
GuitarWahWah Watson
PianoGreg Phillinganes
ProgrammingSteve Porcaro
SynthesizerDavid Foster
TrumpetJerry Hey
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetGary Grant
Background VocalsPatti Austin


10 Burn This Disco Out

BassLouis Johnson
DrumsJR Robinson
GuitarDavid Williams
GuitarMarlo Henderson
PianoGreg Phillinganes
TrumpetJerry Hey
HornLarry Williams
SaxKim Hutchcroft
TromboneBill Reichenbach
TrumpetGary Grant
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa

Liner Notes

Producer – Quincy Jones
Co-producer – Michael Jackson (Tracks 1, 3)
Arranged By (Horns) – Jerry Hey (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
Arranged By (Percussion, Rhythm, Vocals) – Michael Jackson (Tracks 1, 3)
Arranged By (Rhythm)– Greg Phillinganes (Tracks 1, 3, 6, 8)
Arranged By (Rhythm) – Quincy Jones (Track 4)
Arranged By (Rhythm) – Louis Johnson (Track 4)
Arranged By (Rhythm) – Tom Bahler (Track 6)
Arranged By (Rhythm) – David Foster (Track 9)
Arranged By (Rhythm, Vocals) – Rod Temperton (Track 2, 5, 10)
Arranged By (Rhythm, Vocals) – Quincy Jones (Tracks 6, 9)
Arranged By (Strings) – Benjamin Wright (Tracks 1, 2, 4)
Arranged By (Strings) – Johnny Mandel (Tracks 7, 8)
Arranged By (Vocals) – Michael Jackson (Track 6)
Arranged By (Vocals) – Tom Bahler (Track 9)
Concertmaster – Gerald Vinci (Tracks 2, 7, 8)
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Bruce Swedien
Recorded By – Bruce Swedien
Recorded By (Assistant) – Ed Cherney, Erik Zobler, Frank D’Amico, Jim Fitzpatrick, Mitch Gibson, Rick Ash, Steve Conger

Design (Cover) – Mike Salisbury
Photography By (Cover) – Stephen Harvey

Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Recorded At – Allen Zentz Recording
Recorded At – Westlake Audio
Recorded At – Cherokee Studios
Mastered At – A&M Studios
Mixed At – Westlake Audio