Keep On... Don't Stop

Michael Jackson ‎– Original Demos From 1978
Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, US

A Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
B Working Day And Night

Here we have two 1978 "Off The Wall" demos that surfaced on this bootleg 7" sometime in the early 2000s. (Discogs claims 2009?) Not much has to be said. Sure, it's a shady bootleg that was probably mastered from a third generation cassette tape someone had been selling out of their trunk. But does that get in the way of my pure joy at hearing these stripped down, up tempo, percussion heavy versions of songs I've loved my whole life? Not a bit. Actually, the sound isn't terrible and the bits of studio banter ("Michael, turn down my earphones, man!" "He's trying, Randy!") are priceless.

Not a lot of info to glean from the record itself. No labels (just a pic of young Michael on one side) and only these notes are offered on the back cover:

Original demos from nineteen seventy eight

Produced by the great Q.J.

Additional percussion by Brother Randy, Sister Janet

What more do you really need to know? This one really does make me feel a little better about the world.

I hope this gives somebody the boost they need to make it though the end of tough week at work.