Album: Music & Me

Introduction
"Music & Me" is the 3rd studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released on April 13, 1973, by Motown Records. The album marked a considerable pivotal moment in Jackson's career, as he was beginning to shift from the diva of Jackson 5 to a solo artist. The album features tracks that explore different music designs such as soul, pop, and R&B. It was produced mainly by Hal Davis, who had actually dealt with the Jackson 5 on their earlier albums.

Background and Production
At the time of the album's release, Michael Jackson was only 14 years of ages and still a member of the Jackson 5. Following the success of their earlier albums, Motown Records was keen on capitalizing on Michael's growing appeal as a solo artist. The album was tape-recorded between 1971 and 1973, with some tracks recorded throughout the same sessions as the Jackson 5 albums "Maybe Tomorrow" and "Lookin' Through the Windows". The bulk of the album, nevertheless, was taped after the release of Michael's 2nd solo album "Ben".

One of the album's noteworthy features is the absence of contributions from other Jackson 5 members. This difference assisted even more establish Michael as a standalone artist in his own right. Nonetheless, Michael still received support from other talented artists and producers, including Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson, Willie Hutch, and Freddie Perren. The title track, "Music & Me", was penned by Don Fenceton, Michael Randall, Jerry Marcellino, and Mel Larson.

Reception and Commercial Performance
"Music & Me" received blended evaluations from music critics upon its release. Some applauded Michael's singing capabilities and the album's production, while others felt it was too comparable to his previous works and lacked creativity. Regardless of this, the album was an industrial success, peaking at number 44 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 14 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. In addition, it was accredited Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States.

The album's lead single, "With a Child's Heart", is a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1966 tune and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other songs from the album consist of "Morning Glow" and "All the important things You Are", which did not achieve the exact same level of industrial success as the lead single.

Legacy and Impact
"Music & Me" is considered an important album in Michael Jackson's career, as it showcased his growth as an artist and his capability to successfully shift from a group member to a solo act. The album set the stage for his future solo tasks and the iconic career he would go on to have.

Songs from the album, such as "Music & Me", "Morning Glow", and "Doggin' Around" have actually become fan favorites and are regarded as early examples of Michael's indisputable skill and flexibility as a singer. The album has been reissued a number of times since its preliminary release, both on vinyl and in digital formats, enabling more recent generations of fans to appreciate the early stages of Michael Jackson's solo profession.

In conclusion, Michael Jackson's "Music & Me", although released during his teenage years, holds a crucial role in his musical journey. It was a stepping stone for the profession of among the most famous pop icons in history, showcasing his capability to experiment with various musical designs and preparing for his future accomplishments in the music market.