Body And Soul - Joe Jackson (1LP Vinyl)

Body And Soul by Joe Jackson.

Joe Jackson's "Body And Soul" arrives as one of those records that rewards patient listening, a sophisticated set that stretches across nine tracks and sits comfortably in a jazz and blues collection. This pressing carries catalog number SP5000 on the label and on the front sleeve, positioned middle-left, while the spine, shrink wrap decal, and the top-right of the rear sleeve all display it as SP-5000. That small variation in punctuation is exactly the kind of detail collectors love to note when confirming a copy.

The A-side opens with "The Verdict," a stately entrance that gives way to the swaggering rhythm of "Cha Cha Loco." From there, "Not Here, Not Now" leans into mood and restraint before the album delivers one of its most enduring moments, "You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)," a track whose sharp lyrical wisdom has kept it in rotation for decades. Side A closes with the forward-pushing energy of "Go For It," rounding out a first half that balances polish with punch.

Flip to the B-side and the record shifts gears with "Loisaida," a nod to the neighborhood texture that runs through the album's urban character. "Happy Ending" follows, then the tender "Be My Number Two," a ballad that has become a quiet favorite among listeners who prize Jackson's gift for melody. The set concludes with "Heart Of Ice," a fitting finale that lets the album breathe out on its own terms.

Part of what makes this copy interesting to catalog is the licensing detail tucked into the credits. The recording features [a271812] appearing courtesy of [l69825], alongside [a307493] appearing courtesy of [l19936], the kind of cross-label arrangement that speaks to the collaborative nature of the sessions and adds a layer of documentation for those who track such things.

Collectors will also want to look for the "CRC" sticker on the back cover, a marker that helps distinguish this particular run and gives the record a small piece of provenance beyond the catalog numbers alone. Between the label markings, the spine, and the shrink wrap decal, there is plenty here for the detail-minded buyer to verify at a glance.

For fans of Joe Jackson's more ambitious, jazz-inflected period, "Body And Soul" remains a cornerstone, a record that trades in nuance and craftsmanship rather than easy hooks. It is a natural fit for the shelves at Miles Waxey, where records that reward repeat spins find their proper home. Drop the needle on "The Verdict" and let the whole sequence carry you through to "Heart Of Ice."

Pressing Details:
"CRC" sticker on back cover

Cat # SP5000 appears on the label and front sleeve middle-left.
Cat # SP-5000 appears on the spine, shrink wrap decal, and rear sleeve, top-right.

[a271812] appears courtesy of [l69825].
[a307493] appears courtesy of [l19936].

Track Listing:
A1. The Verdict
A2. Cha Cha Loco
A3. Not Here, Not Now
A4. You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)
A5. Go For It
B1. Loisaida
B2. Happy Ending
B3. Be My Number Two
B4. Heart Of Ice

Artist: Joe Jackson

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: A&M Records

Catalog Number: SP5000

Release Year: 1984

Country: United States

Condition: Sealed (New)