A talented southern soul songwriter, George Jackson hit paydirt when his “One Bad Apple” was turned down as a single by the Jackson 5 but turned into a monster hit for The Osmonds. His own material had little in common with that high-energy pop confection; instead, Jackson’s classic period, captured here, is pure laidback Memphis, perfectly suited for the Hi label (for whom he recorded), as well as other imprints.  The beauty of his work lies in his understated vocal style, like Donny Hathaway without the histrionics. The easy grooves also recall Bobby Womack, especially given that both appreciated the Carpenters enough to deliver unexpected yet inspired covers (Womack did “Close to You”, while Jackson gorgeously revamps “We’ve Only Just Begun”). But it was the strength of his own songwriting that lured singers like James Carr, Clarence Carter, Candi Staton, and Ike Turner to Jackson's craft.