The Jacksons | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 5, 1976 [1] | |||
Recorded | June–October 1976 | |||
Studio | Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [2] | |||
Genre | Soul, R&B, funk, Philadelphia soul | |||
Length | 39:27 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
The Jacksons chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from The Jacksons | ||||
|
The Jacksons is the eleventh studio album by the Jacksons, the band's first album for Epic Records and under the name "the Jacksons," following their seven-year tenure at Motown as "the Jackson 5". Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson stayed with Motown when his brothers broke their contracts and left for Epic, and he was replaced by youngest Jackson brother Randy. The album was released in 1976 for Epic Records and Philadelphia International Records as a joint venture. [5]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | C+ [7] |
Rolling Stone | mixed [8] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Philadelphia International heads Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff produced and executive produced the album, including their first top ten hit in two years, "Enjoy Yourself", but had a difficult time focusing on a sound for the now-grown-up boy band. However, the group was able for the first time to record their own material, something that had been denied to them at Motown. The Jacksons composed "Style of Life" and "Blues Away" on their own. "Blues Away" was the first published song written by lead singer Michael Jackson, who began to take a more percussive vocal approach on this album. The album also spawned a second successful R&B single, "Show You the Way to Go" (UK no. 1). Though never released as a single, "Good Times" became a popular album cut from regular quiet storm airplay.
The album was the Jacksons' first gold album, despite their having sold more than 10 million albums while at Motown (Motown's sales and financial records were not presented for auditing by the RIAA until 1976).
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Enjoy Yourself" | Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff | 3:24 |
2. | "Think Happy" | Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff | 3:07 |
3. | "Good Times" | Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff | 4:57 |
4. | "Keep on Dancing" | Dexter Wansel | 4:31 |
5. | "Blues Away" | Michael Jackson | 3:12 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
6. | "Show You the Way to Go" | Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff | 5:30 |
7. | "Living Together" | Dexter Wansel | 4:26 |
8. | "Strength of One Man" | Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen | 3:56 |
9. | "Dreamer" | Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff | 3:05 |
10. | "Style of Life" | Tito Jackson, Michael Jackson | 3:19 |
Total length: | 39:27 |
Lead vocals
Michael leads the tracks 4–6 and 9–10 on his own while he and his brother Jackie lead the vocals on tracks 1–3 and 7. All the brothers (except Tito) sing lead on track 8.
Arrangements
Producers
Music
Technical
Chart (1976–1977) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian Albums ( RPM ) [11] | 4 |
UK Albums (OCC) [12] | 53 |
US Soul Albums [13] | 6 |
US Billboard Top LPs & Tape [14] | 36 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA) [15] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was an American record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1971 by songwriting and production duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff along with their longtime collaborator Thom Bell. It was known for showcasing the Philadelphia soul music genre that was founded on the gospel, doo-wop and soul music of the time. This sound later marked a prominent and distinct era within the R&B genre. During the 1970s, the label released a string of worldwide hits that emphasized lavish orchestral instrumentation, heavy bass and driving percussion.
ABC is the second studio album by the Jackson 5, released on May 8, 1970 by Motown. It featured the No. 1 singles "ABC" and "The Love You Save", and has sold up to 6 million copies worldwide. Also present on the LP are several notable album tracks, including a cover of Funkadelic's "I'll Bet You", "I Found That Girl", and "The Young Folks", originally recorded by Diana Ross and the Supremes.
Destiny is the thirteenth studio album released by American band the Jacksons, recorded in part at Dawnbreaker Studios in San Fernando, California. It was released in November 1978 on Epic Records and CBS Records. The album marked the first time in the band's career in which they had complete artistic control, producing it themselves after previously working under the supervision of Philadelphia soul architects Gamble and Huff.
Goin' Places is the twelfth studio album by the Jacksons. It would be the last Jacksons' album released as a joint venture between Epic Records and Philadelphia International Records. Goin' Places peaked at No. 63 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States, and at No. 11 on the US Soul Albums chart. The album sold over half a million copies worldwide. A concert tour to promote the album, named the Goin' Places Tour, ran from January to May 1978.
"Show You the Way to Go" is a song written by Gamble and Huff and recorded by the Jacksons for their 1976 CBS debut album, The Jacksons. Released as a single in early 1977, it was the only number-one song for the group in the UK. It was later covered by Dannii Minogue in 1992.
Victory is the fifteenth studio album by the Jacksons, released by Epic Records on July 2, 1984. The only album to include all six Jackson brothers together as an official group, Victory peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 albums chart. Its most successful single, "State of Shock", peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.
Ship Ahoy is an album by Philadelphia soul group The O'Jays, released in 1973 on Philadelphia International Records. The album was a critical and commercial success, entering Billboard on November 10, and reaching No. 11. It reached No. 1 on the "Black Albums" chart and launched two hit singles, "For the Love of Money" and "Put Your Hands Together." Conceived as a theme album built around the title track, Ship Ahoy includes socially relevant tracks and love songs under a cover that is itself notable for its serious subject matter. The album, which achieved RIAA platinum certification in 1992 for over 1 million copies sold, has been reissued multiple times, including in a 2003 edition with a bonus track. Ship Ahoy was the highest selling R&B album on the Billboard Year-End chart for 1974.
Teddy Pendergrass is the debut solo album from the American R&B/soul singer Teddy Pendergrass, released in 1977.
Life Is a Song Worth Singing is the second studio album by American musician Teddy Pendergrass. It was released on June 2, 1978, by Philadelphia International Records and Sony Music Entertainment. Pendergrass supported the album by touring with the Isley Brothers.
Teddy is the third album by the American musician Teddy Pendergrass, released in 1979.
Heaven Only Knows is the seventh album by R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass. It was his final studio album for Philadelphia International, released just after he left the label to record for Asylum Records. It produced one single, "I Want My Baby Back," which reached #61 on the Billboard charts in 1984.
The Spirit's in It is the fifth studio album by American singer Patti LaBelle. It was released by Philadelphia International Records on August 28, 1981, in the United States, her first with the label.
The Jackson 5, later the Jacksons, is an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, and originally consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. They were managed by their father Joe Jackson. The group were among the first African American performers to attain a crossover following.
All Things in Time is an album by American R&B singer Lou Rawls, released in June 1976 on the Philadelphia International Records label. The album includes Rawls's most famous song, "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine".
Let Me Be Good to You is an album by the American R&B singer Lou Rawls, released in 1979 on Philadelphia International Records.
Melba is the eighth album by singer Melba Moore, released in 1978.
Philadelphia Freedom is the fourth album to be released by Philadelphia International Records house-band MFSB. It is also noted as the debut of PIR producer, artist and musician Dexter Wansel. Of the songs on this album, the bassline of the song "Smile Happy" was used in the song "It Wasn't Me" by Shaggy.
Got My Head on Straight is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. It was produced by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, arranged by Bobby Martin and Lenny Pakula, and engineered by Joe Tarsia. Released in 1975, it reached #140 on the Billboard Pop Album chart and #20 on the Soul chart. It includes the singles "Be Truthful to Me" #37 R&B; "Billy's Back Home" #52 R&B; and "July, July, July, July" which did not chart.
When Love is New is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. It was produced by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff; arranged by Bobby Martin, Dexter Wansel, Norman Harris, and Jack Faith; and engineered by Joe Tarsia. Released in December 1975, it reached #139 on the Billboard Pop Album chart and #17 on the Soul chart. It includes the singles "Let's Make a Baby" which hit #83 on the Pop singles chart, #18 on the Soul chart, and #30 in the UK and "People Power" which reached #82 on the Soul chart and #14 on the U.S. Dance chart. The album was reissued on CD in 2010 by the U.K.'s Edsel Records. This was the final album where Paul was backed by MFSB, the house band of Philadelphia International Records (PIR).