Maps of Music

The Jacksons (1976)

Where the lyrics of The Jacksons take you, and where it was really made.

Jermaine stayed behind at Motown, and this was the first album on which the brothers recorded their own songs.

Key places

Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia (1976)

Recording site Sigma Sound Studios — Sigma Sound Studios is listed as a recording location for the album. Recording ran from June to October 1976. The studio is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Vocals recorded at Paragon Studio, Chicago (1976)

Recording site Chicago Recording Company — Vocals on tracks 5 and 10 were recorded at Paragon Studio in Chicago. The point is placed at the city centre, so it does not mark the exact studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• The Jacksons: eleventh studio album by the Jacksons
• First album for Epic Records, released under the name "the Jacksons"
• Followed a seven-year run at Motown as "the Jackson 5"
• Released in 1976 by Epic Records and Philadelphia International Records as a joint venture
• Produced and executive produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff
• First album on which the group recorded its own material

Background

• Jermaine Jackson stayed with Motown when his brothers left for Epic
• Youngest brother Randy replaced him in the group
• Enjoy Yourself was Philadelphia International's first top ten hit in two years
• The group had sold more than 10 million albums while at Motown

Recording

• Recording ran about five months, from June to October 1976
• Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia
• Vocals on tracks 5 and 10 recorded at Paragon Studio in Chicago
• Style of Life and Blues Away were composed by the Jacksons themselves

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Formed in Gary, Indiana, in 1964 as the Jackson Brothers, managed by father Joe Jackson.
• Original lineup: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael.
• Among the first African American performers to build a following across multiple genres.

Members

• Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson; Randy joined in 1975 when the group became the Jacksons.
• Michael Jackson's solo career became the most successful of the brothers.

Career

• Signed with Motown in 1968 and became the first group to debut with four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits: "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There".
• Achieved seventeen Top 40 singles on the Hot 100 within five years.
• Left Motown for Epic Records in 1975–1976 and renamed themselves the Jacksons, releasing albums including Destiny and Triumph.
• Reunited in 1983 for Motown 25 and released Victory in 1984; Michael and Marlon left the group afterward.
• Sold over 150 million records worldwide.
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
• Continued to tour as the Jacksons, including the Unity Tour (2012–2013).

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Philadelphia International heads Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff produced and executive produced the album
• The producers had a difficult time settling on a sound for the now-grown-up boy band
• It was the first time the group recorded its own material, something Motown had denied them

Reappraisal

• AllMusic (Jason Elias): three and a half stars out of five

Records

• Billboard 200 (US): number 36
• United States: gold certification for more than 500,000 copies
• France: number 22
• United Kingdom: number 53
• First gold album for the Jacksons
• Enjoy Yourself: number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, the group's first top ten in two years
• Show You the Way to Go: UK number one as a single

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• "Blues Away" was the first published song written by Michael Jackson, whose vocal approach became more percussive on this album.
• Keep on Dancing was performed on a French TV programme hosted by Joe Dassin, broadcast on 2 July 1977. It was the only TV appearance in France by the Jacksons and Michael Jackson.
• The album became the base for later albums such as Destiny and Triumph.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org

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