If Michael Jackson had retired instead of going solo and umpteen-platinum, he would still be a revered figure in pop and soul history for the action-packed singles he cut as the diminutive, Frankie Lymon-like frontman (sic) for one of Motown's true trailblazing acts. Some would argue he was never better. More extensive anthologies of the Jacksons' hit-laden career have been compiled since this stopgap disc was issued in 1971, but this is still where listeners can get the primordial prime 5 (alas, without those awesome dance steps) without having to wade through some pretty uneven LPs. Highlights include the infectious "ABC" and "I Want You Back," the emotional "I'll Be There," and "The Love You Save," a phase-shifting tour de force. --Don Harrison