| Imagination | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1986 | |||
| Genre | Synth-pop, R&B | |||
| Length | 31:02 | |||
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| Producer |
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| La Toya Jackson chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Imagination | ||||
Imagination is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter La Toya Jackson. The album was released on by Private-I Records (an extension of Epic Records).
Private-I Records went bankrupt shortly after the album's release in 1986. Because of the record company's financial problems, the promotion was poor for the album and it failed to chart. Three singles were released, the first being "Baby Sister", which was released in Japan, followed by "He's a Pretender" and a remix of the title track. In November 2011, Funky Town Grooves announced that it would be issuing the Imagination album on CD for the first time, using the original master tapes as their source. The disc was released in February 2012 and featured four bonus tracks. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
| The Baltimore Afro-American | [3] |
Billboard noted that the "singer's not toying around anymore, and no longer trades on her family sound. Bold break allows her own vocal stamp to filter through exotic, Euro-funk shadings, channeled through strong arrangements. "He's A Pretender" hasn't clicked, but "On A Night Like This" could pay off. [4]
The Baltimore Afro-American described the album's production as "pop-oriented", "well recorded and mixed". The "new waveish" "Baby Sister" was complimented as "ear candy". [5] Allmusic singled out "How Do I Tell Them" as having an "instantly memorable chorus and gripping rhythmic structure" but dismissed the rest of the album as "disposable". [6]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "He's a Pretender" | Gary Goetzman, Mike Piccirillo | Gary Goetzman, Mike Piccirillo | 3:40 |
| 2. | "On a Night Like This" | Goetzman, Piccirillo | Goetzman, Piccirillo | 3:28 |
| 3. | "How Do I Tell Them" | Goetzman, Piccirillo | Goetzman, Piccirillo | 3:45 |
| 4. | "Imagination" | Amir Bayyan, Isidro "Cosa" Ross | Amir Bayyan, Isidro "Cosa" Ross, John Wilson | 4:08 |
| 5. | "Baby Sister" | Goetzman, Piccirillo | Goetzman, Piccirillo | 3:14 |
| 6. | "Weak Spot" | Belva Haney, John Bokowski, Lorrin "Smokey" Bates | Goetzman, Piccirillo | 3:58 |
| 7. | "Love Talk" | La Toya Jackson, John Wilson | John Wilson | 4:49 |
| 8. | "Boys Got Somethin' Girls Ain't Got" | Marvin Morrow, Stephen Geyer | Goetzman, Piccirillo | 4:00 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Imagination" (Hot Dance Mix) | |
| 10. | "Imagination" (Dub Mix) | |
| 11. | "Baby Sister" (Instrumental Version) | |
| 12. | "Imagination" (7" Remix) |
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Cash Box Black Contemporary Top 75 Albums [7] | 61 |
La Toya Yvonne Jackson is an American singer and television personality. The fifth child and middle daughter of the Jackson family, Jackson first gained recognition on the family's variety television series, The Jacksons, on CBS between 1976 and 1977. Thereafter, she saw success as a solo recording artist under multiple record labels in the 1980s and 1990s, including Polydor, Sony Music and RCA, where she released nine studio albums over the course of 15 years. Her most successful releases in the United States were her self-titled debut album (1980) and the 1984 single "Heart Don't Lie". Jackson's other songs include "If You Feel the Funk", "Bet'cha Gonna Need My Lovin'", "Hot Potato", "You're Gonna Get Rocked!", and "Sexbox". Another one of Jackson's songs, "Just Say No" from her fifth album was composed for US first lady Nancy Reagan and Reagan administration's anti-drug campaign.
Marlon David Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer best known as a member of the Jackson 5. He is the sixth child of the Jackson family. Marlon now runs Study Peace Foundation to promote peace and unity worldwide.
"I Can't Help Myself" is a 1965 song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label.
Heart Don't Lie is the third album released by American singer-songwriter La Toya Jackson. Released in 1984 by Epic Records, this album is her most critically acclaimed and commercially successful album to date, peaking at #149 on the Billboard 200 and #65 on the Top Black Albums chart.
La Toya Jackson is the 1980 debut album from American singer-songwriter La Toya Jackson. It was released in America and mainland Europe. The album is most known for "Night Time Lover", a track produced by La Toya's brother Michael Jackson, who provides background vocals on the refrain.
My Special Love is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter La Toya Jackson. Released in 1981, the album peaked at #175 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
"If You Feel the Funk" is a song by American singer La Toya Jackson, released as the first single from her eponymous debut album (1980). It was released in three versions, with "Are You Ready?", "Lovely Is She" and "Night Time Lover" on the B-side.
"Night Time Lover" is a song by American singer La Toya Jackson, released as the second single from her eponymous debut album (1980).
"Heart Don't Lie" is a song by American singer La Toya Jackson. The song is the second single from her album Heart Don't Lie. It is a duet with singer Howard Hewett, although he does not appear in the music video. Musical Youth and Janet Jackson provide background vocals for the track. The single peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Jackson's highest charting song ever in the US. It also peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.
"Baby Sister" is a 1985 single by American singer La Toya Jackson, the first taken from her fourth album Imagination; which was released the following year. The single was released in a 7" format in Japan and later in the United States.
"He's a Pretender" is a 1983 song written by Gary Goetzman (BMI) and Mike Piccirillo (BMI). It was originally recorded by R&B female group High Inergy. This was the lead single of their last album Groove Patrol, before disbanding in 1984, and it peaked at #82 in the Billboard Hot 100, #62 on the Black Singles charts. On the US, Dance/Disco Top 80 chart, "He's a Pretender" went to #25.
"Imagination" is a song by American singer La Toya Jackson. It is taken from her fourth album, Imagination. A remixed version of the song was released as a 7" and 12" single.
"Oops, Oh No!" is a single by French singer Cerrone and American singer La Toya Jackson. It was released in 1986 as a 7" and 12" single. The song was remixed by British producer Simon Harris in 1986 and was the second release on his Music of Life label.
"You're Gonna Get Rocked!" is a 1988 song by American singer La Toya Jackson, taken from her 1988 album La Toya. Released on March 27, 1988, the single, produced by popular hip hop hitmakers Full Force, was among her most successful.
"Stay the Night" is a 1980 song by Billy Ocean taken from his 1980 album City Limit. It was released as the follow-up to his hit single "Are You Ready?", and was also released as the B-side to this single in some countries. The song has been covered by La Toya Jackson and sampled by dance artist Lady on the 2002 Brazilian hit single "Easy Love".
R U Tuff Enuff is the third album by American R&B singer Rebbie Jackson. This album was a different approach for Jackson, as it had a harder-edged street R&B sound that was very popular at the time—which was also exhibited on the La Toya album by Jackson's sister, La Toya Jackson.
"In the Shape of a Heart" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne included on his 1986 album, Lives in the Balance. Released as the second single from the album, it reached No. 70 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, spending seven weeks on that chart after debuting at No. 72, but was a big Adult Contemporary hit, peaking at No. 10. It was also released as a single in the United Kingdom and Japan, and as a promotional 12" in Germany. A heart-shaped red vinyl promotional single was also released by Asylum, which included two remixes. In 2002, Browne also recorded a version of the song in Spanish with the Spanish rock band Los Secretos for their album Sólo para escuchar.
Zakiya A. Munnerlyn is a former American R&B/soul singer who released a self-titled studio album on DV8 Records in 1997. Two singles from the album, "Love Like Mine" and "My Love Won't Fade Away", entered Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"My Baby" is a song written by Chrissie Hynde that was originally released on the Pretenders 1986 album Get Close. "My Baby" was included on the Pretenders' 1987 compilation album The Singles.
Nick Mundy is an American singer, composer, guitarist and producer from Philadelphia. He was the lead singer of The Beck Family who had a hit in 1979 with the disco funk hit "Can't Shake the Feeling". He had a national hit with "Ain't It All Right" in 1984. He also co-wrote and produced the song "Talk to Me" for Chico DeBarge which was a hit in 1986. He has composed and produced hits for various artists and has worked with Gina Go-Go, Franne Golde and Paul Fox. His compositions have been used in mainstream films.
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