Listen To An Early Cut From The Jackson 5 w/ The Smooth & Soulful "Big Boy" ca. '68

Long before The Jacksons dropped the 5 and the Mick/Michael Jackson confusion began, The Jackson 5 was hands down one of Motown's most storied and influential groups. And not solely because of little MJ's show-stopping antics. At the end of the day, the single most distinguishing factor of their stardom was, inevitably, their sound; a sunny soul cannon nestled between Marvin Gaye's socially conscious compositions and Diana Ross' disco kingdom. It isn't often we get to hear what those early Gary, IN days were like in people's ears, so when an unheard cut from the legendary five-piece comes to light, we take heed.

Luckily for us, the good folks at Secret Stash have apparently struck audible gold, unearthing this gleaming specimen, featuring an 8-year-old Michael delivering the dulcet lead vocal on a smooth soul cut that spars with the best of 'em, even at that age. The record was pressed in '68 by Chicago's One-derful! Records, but has yet to see the light of day since. While it might have taken nearly 50 years for the track to make it's way from the dusty Chicago archive, it is available as an early throwback treat for free below and can be found in the expansive 12 LP set dubbed The One-derful! Collection, which finally shines some light on a wealth of unheard gospel, funk and soul pressings that tell the story of the famed Chi-town label. The collection drops October 28th with preorders available via Secret Stash today. Lay your ears upon The Jackson 5's "Big Boy".