Skywriter Tracklist
The last of the “bubblegum pop” albums for the Jackson 5. Michael’s singing voice begins changing (rather obviously) starting with this album.
The low sales of this album, as well as the changing tastes of the public at the time, led to a more disco/funk-oriented sound beginning with the Get It Together album, released later in 1973.
“Skywriter” Q&A
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What did the artists say about the album?
Deke Richards, who contributed to three songs on Skywriter, later said:
The Skywriter LP was the beginning of the demise of the J5. The Corporation had just broken up, and I relieved myself from being in charge of all J5 recording. This release, also marks the period of time when Iris became head of QC for the West Coast. Due to the ‘changing of the guard’, this Skywriter LP was in serious trouble. First, the LP did not have a title, until Sales and or Iris made the decision that “Skywriter” was the leader of the pack.
What no one seemed to see but me, was this LP was being put together like an old early 60’s Motown LP. That means, it was filled with just ‘songs’, some stronger than others, devoid of any concept. I personally thought it was seriously lacking the concern for the future of the artists themselves, the Great Jackson 5. Their lives and futures were on the line with this LP.
The Skywriter LP was such a hodge-podge or pot-pourri of sounds and rhythms. The stations and the fans just couldn’t figure out where the J5 were coming from … or where they were going.
