The Jacksons – The Jacksons (Album)

The Jacksons is a 1976 album released by The Jacksons for Philadelphia International/CBS Records. The album was the band’s first for CBS, following their seven-year tenure on Motown as "The Jackson 5".

Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson stayed with Motown when his brothers broke their contracts and defected to CBS; he was replaced by youngest Jackson brother Randy.

To ensure chart success, the group was teamed with Philadelphia producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, as well as their staff of writers and players.

Despite the promise, "The Jacksons" is hampered by derivative tracks and a lack of knowing what to do with the group, particularly lead singer, Michael Jackson. The big hit here, the jerky "Enjoy Yourself," perfectly captured Michael Jackson’s late adolescence, with his newfound vocal tics and inflections.

"Show You the Way to Go" best captures the Philly sound, with a pretty melody and a great vocal from Michael.

The group was able for the first time to write 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 beginning with this album.

This album also spawned the second R&B single "Show You The Way To Go". The album itself placed #36 and #6 on the pop and r&b album chart.

The album was the Jacksons’ first gold album, despite selling more than 10 million albums while at Motown. (Motown’s sales and financial records were never presented for auditing by the RIAA until 1976).

Singles :
Enjoy Yourself / Style Of Life
Show You The Way to Go / Blues Away