THE JACKSONS [Vinyl]

The Jacksons: Michael, Tito, Jackie, Marlon, Randy.
Additional personnel includes: Dexter Wansel (arranger); MFSB.
Producers include: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Dexter Wansel, The Jacksons.
Recorded at Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Paragon Studios, Chicago, Illinois.
For their first release on Epic Records after leaving Motown and Berry Gordy behind, the newly re-christened Jacksons shuffled brothers, as Jermaine left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Randy, a younger, yet-unseen brother. After a phenomenally successful seven years as the Jackson Five, the group's second incarnation released its eponymous debut album in 1976, helmed by songwriter/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
THE JACKSONS finds the group at an interesting crossroads. As the Jackson 5, they were able to kick up a youthful ruckus with their music but here seem to be undergoing growing pains. They succeed mostly by grafting their smooth sounding groove onto the material (they scored two big dance hits with "Enjoy Yourself" and "Show You the Way to Go"). "Keep on Dancing," with Michael's growls and imminent signs of maturity, is a standout, as is "Strength of One Man," which gives all the brothers an opportunity to sing inspirational lead vocals. For a super group still a few years away from unleashing Michael on an unsuspecting audience, THE JACKSONS is a fun, questing album.

• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Pop