Deon Jackson
Deon Jackson was an American soul singer and songwriter born on January 26, 1946, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Jackson grew up in Ann Arbor, where he studied clarinet and drums as a child and performed in vocal groups and as a soloist at Ann Arbor High School. He caught the attention of producer Ollie McLaughlin during a talent show while still in school.
His debut single, the self-written "You Said You Love Me," released in 1963 on Atlantic Records, became a regional hit in Michigan, followed by "Come Back Home." Jackson's breakthrough came with "Love Makes the World Go 'Round" in 1965 on Carla Records, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on R&B charts, leading to an album on Atco Records. Other hits included "Love Takes a Long Time Growing" (#77 pop, 1966), "I Can't Do Without You Baby" (bubbling under Hot 100, 1967), and "Ooh Baby" (#65 pop, #28 R&B, 1967).
By the late 1960s, Jackson moved to Chicago, released final singles like "I'll Always Love You" in 1972, and retired from music to work with special needs students. He passed away on April 18, 2014, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, at age 68. His records later gained popularity in the Northern soul scene.
Love Makes The World Go Round
Arranged By – Dale Warren
Written-By – Deon Jackson
2:27
A2 1-2-3
Arranged By – Dale Warren
Written-By – David White, John Madara, Leonard Borisoff
2:01
A3 Love Is What You Make It
Arranged By – Dale Warren
Written-By – Van McCoy
2:13
A4 No Not Much
Arranged By – Riley Hampton
Written-By – Al Stillman, Robert Allen
2:24
A5 You Said You Love Me
Arranged By – Riley Hampton
Written-By – Deon Jackson
2:37
A6 S.O.S.
Arranged By – Dale Warren
Written-By – A. Hamilton, C. Hatcher, R. Morris
2:02
B1 Love Takes A Long Time Growing
Arranged By – Dale Warren
Written-By – Helen Miller, Roger Atkins
2:30
B2 Nursery Rhymes
Arranged By – Riley Hampton
Written-By – Deon Jackson
2:14
B3 King Of The Road
Arranged By – Dale Warren
Written-By – Roger Miller
2:36
B4 I'm Telling You
Arranged By – Riley Hampton
Written-By – Sharon McMahan
2:21
B5 Hush Little Baby
Arranged By – Riley Hampton
Written-By – Deon Jackson
2:41
B6 Come Back Home
Arranged By – Riley Hampton
Written-By – Eddie Simpson
2:43
Label: ATCO Records – 33-188
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Deon Jackson’s 1966 debut (and only) studio album, Love Makes The World Go Round, is widely regarded by soul aficionados as a "masterpiece" of mid-60s Detroit soul. Produced by Ollie McLaughlin and arranged by Dale Warren, the album captures a transitional sound between Motown’s pop-sensibility and the grittier "Northern Soul" style that Jackson would later influence.
Critics often compare Jackson’s "sweetly honest" vocal style to Sam Cooke and Smokey Robinson. Reviewers highlight his ability to shift seamlessly into a "cool" falsetto.
The album is praised for its "unpredictably luscious and imaginative production," blending lilting melodies with "rollicking hard soul". It includes soul-inflected covers of contemporary hits like "1-2-3" and "King of the Road".
On collector platforms like Discogs, the album maintains high ratings (averaging 4.1 to 5 stars), with fans describing it as an underrated "soul classic".
Key Tracks & Highlights
"Love Makes The World Go Round": The title track remains Jackson's signature hit, described as a "happy, easy rhythm number". It reached #11 on the Pop charts and #3 on the R&B charts in 1966.
"Come Back Home": A standout dance tune that features a "deeper and tougher" soul delivery compared to his smoother ballads.
"Ooh Baby": Although not a massive hit at its release, this track is now considered a quintessential "Northern Soul" staple.
"Nursery Rhymes": An original track noted for its jazzy, bossa nova flavor and "funky horns".
The work of producer Ollie McLaughlin is highly regarded for blending "lilting qualities" with "rollicking hard soul". Critics and fans alike have called the arrangements brilliant and happy. While sometimes dismissed by casual listeners as a "one-hit wonder," dedicated soul fans, especially in the UK Northern Soul scene, treasure the album as a "soul killer" and a "masterpiece all the way through".
The album has been reissued in various formats, including a 2006 CD by Collectors' Choice Music and expanded compilations such as Love Makes The World Go Round and Many Others!, which often include bonus tracks from Jackson's later career. Discogs: Users have given the album an average rating of approximately 4/5.