The Jacksons is the self-titled and eleventh studio album by American pop band The Jacksons, released as a joint operation between Epic and Philadelphia International Records on November 27, 1976. It was both the band's first Epic album and the first to be released under the name "The Jacksons".
Background[]
In 1975, The Jacksons (at the time The Jackson 5) found out that they were earning only 2.8% of royalties from Motown, causing them to entirely drop out of recording any more material for them.[1] Desiring creative control and royalties, The Jacksons announced that they'd depart from Motown at a press conference at the Rainbow Grill in Manhattan, New York City. Following the announcement, Joe Jackson had the group sign a contract with Epic Records, which had offered a royalty rate of 20% per record; he signed with the company in June 1975.[2]
Jermaine was absent from the deal because he decided to stay with Motown following his marriage to Berry Gordy's daughter, Hazel. This resulted in Randy Jackson replacing him.[3]
Despite announcing their departure from Motown, The Jacksons remained under contract until March 1976.[2] Motown sued them for breach of contract, however, they allowed The Jacksons to record for Epic, as long as the group changed their name because the label owned the name "Jackson 5". Thus, the brothers renamed themselves to The Jacksons.[4]
Production[]
Philadelphia International heads Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff executive-produced the album, including their first top ten hit in two years, "Enjoy Yourself". However, the duo struggled to focus on a sound for the now-grown-up boy band.
The Jacksons could record their material for the first time, something that had been denied to them at Motown. The Jacksons composed "Style of Life" and "Blues Away" by themselves. The latter 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.
Despite selling more than 10 million albums at Motown (Motown's sales and financial records were not presented for auditing by the RIAA until 1976), The Jacksons won their first gold album with this album.
Singles[]
October 22, 1976
1977
March 7, 1977
July 29, 1977
Spotify[]
Track list[]
| Standard edition | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Enjoy Yourself" | 3:24 |
| 2. | "Think Happy" | 2:07 |
| 3. | "Good Times" | 4:57 |
| 4. | "Keep on Dancing" | 4:31 |
| 5. | "Blues Away" | 3:12 |
| 6. | "Show You the Way to Go" | 5:30 |
| 7. | "Living Together" | 4:26 |
| 8. | "Strength of One Man" | 3:56 |
| 9. | "Dreamer" | 3:05 |
| 10. | "Style of Life" | 3:19 |
| Total length: | 42:16 | |