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45 years after their first recordings were released by Epic and Philadelphia International Records, Sony's Legacy Recordings is turning its attention to The Jacksons. On February 12, the labels will issue digital-only expanded editions of The Jacksons (1976), Goin' Places (1977), and Destiny (1978) while on March 26, a 2-LP vinyl version of The Jacksons Live! (1981) will be released.
After seven years at Motown, four-fifths of The Jackson 5 - Michael, Tito, Marlon, and Jackie - made the move to the CBS family of labels. As Jermaine opted to stay with Motown, youngest brother Randy entered the musical fold for this new phase. The reinvented Jacksons were first introduced to audiences on an eponymous CBS-TV variety show in which they performed their hits and greeted such guests as Betty White, Sonny Bono, Lynda Carter, Mackenzie Phillips, Joey Bishop, Redd Foxx, Tim Conway, and Michael's mentors, The Nicholas Brothers. The summer replacement show continued into the next season, running for 12 episodes total through March 1977.
On records, the group was immediately paired with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International imprint, with the writer-producers overseeing their first two releases. The Jacksons arrived in stores in November 1976. The group was backed by Mk. II of the Philly house band MFSB and the arrangements of Dexter Wansel, Jack Faith, and Bobby Martin. The Jacksons yielded the irresistible Top 10 Pop and R&B hit "Enjoy Yourself" penned by Gamble and Huff with Michael and Jackie on lead vocals as well as "Show You the Way to Go." Led by Michael, it was the Jacksons' only U.K. chart-topper. While the bulk of the album was crafted by the Philly hit factory, The Jacksons also boasted Michael's first published solo composition, "Blues Away," and "Style of Life" which Michael and Tito co-wrote. The album reached No. 6 R&B and No. 36 Pop. The expanded digital version of The Jacksons adds four bonus tracks: "Enjoy Yourself" (7" Extended Version); "Enjoy Yourself" (12" Version); "Show You the Way to Go" (7" Version); and "Living Together" (Dimitri From Paris Disco Re-Edit).
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Not long after recording The Jacksons, the group returned to Philly's Sigma Sound Studios with Gamble and Huff for Goin' Places. Their second and final album under the Epic/PIR co-branded umbrella, it was released in October 1977. While it didn't match the success of its predecessor, Goin' Places offered two more group compositions ("Do What You Wanna" and "Different Kind of Lady") as well as strong songs by Gamble and Huff, Dexter Wansel, and PIR labelmates McFadden and Whitehead. While initial numbers were disappointing, Goin' Places nonetheless racked up more than half a million sales internationally, and the album sparked a successful tour from January through May 1978. The digital expanded edition will add three bonus sides: "Goin' Places" (7" Version); "Find Me a Girl" (7" Version); and "Even Though You're Gone" (7" Version).
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Destiny, The Jacksons' third studio album, was their first solely under the Epic banner. The band took full creative control under the auspices of executive producer and CBS exec (and former Blood Sweat and Tears member) Bobby Colomby. Destiny proudly bore the designation "Produced and written by The Jacksons," and their creative gamble more than paid off. Ironically, the opening track, "Blame It on the Boogie," was the only one not written by one of the Jacksons - though it was written by a Jackson. The infectious anthem from British singer-songwriter Mick Jackson (no relation) was brought to the group by Colomby. Greg Phillinganes' rhythm arrangement and Jerry Hey's horn charts gave the uptempo dancer the extra zing that graced the Jacksons' spot-on vocals. It stalled at No. 54 on the Hot 100 but made it to No. 3 R&B and No. 20 Disco, also charting internationally. Michael and Randy's jointly-written "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" was another disco floor-filler. With Phillinganes again arranging the rhythm charts and Tom Tom 84 handling the horns and strings, "Shake Your Body" bested "Blame It on the Boogie" with its No. 7 Pop placement. It also tied "Blame It on the Boogie" at No. 3 R&B. While the LP fulfilled the group's destiny on the dance floor, it also included a number of stunning ballads ("Bless His Soul," "Push Me Away," "Destiny") showcasing Michael's maturing voice at its finest. Destiny, released in December 1978, peaked at No. 11 Pop and No. 3 R&B.
The digital expanded edition of Destiny includes six bonus tracks: "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground" (7" Version); "Destiny" (7" Version); "Blame It On the Boogie" (12" Version John Luongo Disco Mix); "Shake Your Body (Down To the Ground)" (12" Version John Luongo Disco Mix); "That's What You Get (For Being Polite) (12" Version); and "That's What You Get (For Being Polite)" (DJ Reverend P Edit). Legacy's 2008 expanded edition CD included just the two John Luongo disco mixes.
Legacy's press release indicates that these releases mark the first wave of a Jacksons reissue project; one presumes the group's remaining three Epic studio albums will come next. (Only 1980's Triumph was previously expanded on CD, with three bonus tracks.) No CD releases have been announced, and no information as to the remastering engineer is currently available.
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In the meantime, fans can also look forward to the March 26 reissue of The Jacksons Live on two vinyl LPs. Recorded across various venues on their North American Triumph tour in summer 1981, Live reflected Michael's rising superstardom as it included Motown and Epic tracks alongside solo songs from Michael's Off the Wall. A double album in its original issue, it does not appear to be expanded. The Triumph tour would be The Jacksons' last for three years as Michael concentrated on his solo career. 1984's Victory tour, staged in the wake of Thriller's phenomenal success, reunited the brothers (including a reportedly reluctant Michael but mostly sans an injured Jackie) for a final tour.
Watch this space for more news on Legacy's Jacksons campaign. You'll find pre-order links for the upcoming releases due on February 12 (digital expanded editions) and March 26 (Live vinyl) below.
The Jacksons, The Jacksons (Epic/Philadelphia International PE 34229, 1976 - reissued Epic/PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
- Enjoy Yourself
- Think Happy
- Good Times
- Keep on Dancing
- Blues Away
- Show You the Way to Go
- Living Together
- Strength of One Man
- Dreamer
- Style of Life
- Enjoy Yourself (7" Extended Version) (included on The Essential Jacksons, Epic/Legacy EK 86455, 2004)
- Enjoy Yourself (12" Version) (Epic (U.K.) 12-inch single EPC 5063, 1976)
- Show You the Way to Go (7" Version) (Epic single 8-50350, 1976)
- Living Together (Dimitri from Paris Disco Re-Edit) (from Get Down with the Philly Sound, BBE 139CCD-1, 2010)
The Jacksons, Goin' Places (Epic/Philadelphia International JE 34835, 1977 - reissued Epic/PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
- Music's Takin' Over
- Goin' Places
- Different Kind of Lady
- Even Though You're Gone
- Jump for Joy
- Heaven Knows I Love You, Girl
- Man of War
- Do What You Wanna
- Find Me a Girl
- Goin' Places (7" Version) (Epic single 8-80454, 1977)
- Find Me a Girl (7" Version) (Epic single 8-50496, 1977)
- Even Though You're Gone (7" Version) (Epic (U.K.) single S EPC 5919, 1978)
The Jacksons, Destiny (Epic JE 35552, 1978 - reissued Epic/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
- Blame It on the Boogie
- Push Me Away
- Things I Do for You
- Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
- Destiny
- Bless His Soul
- All Night Dancin'
- That's What You Get (For Being Polite)
- Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) (7" Version) (Epic single 8-50656, 1978)
- Destiny (7" Version) (Epic (U.K.) single S EPC 6983, 1978)
- Blame It on the Boogie (12" John Luongo Disco Mix) (Epic 12-inch single ASD 523, 1978)
- Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) (12" John Luongo Disco Mix) (Epic 12-inch single 28-50721, 1978)
- That's What You Get (For Being Polite) (12" Version) (Epic 12-inch single 28-50721, 1978)
- That's What You Get (For Being Polite) (DJ Reverend P Edit) (first issued on The Legacy of Funk, Legacy (Europe) 8875143211, 2016)
The Jacksons, Live (Epic KE2 37545, 1981 - reissued Epic/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
- Opening/Can You Feel It
- Things I Do for You
- Off the Wall
- Ben
- Heartbreak Hotel
- She's Out of My Life
- Movie and Rap (including excerpts of I Want You Back/Never Can Say Goodbye/Got to Be There)
- Medley (I Want You Back/ABC/The Love You Save)
- I'll Be There
- Rock with You
- Lovely One
- Working Day and Night
- Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
- Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
A Second Disc Interview: Mixing It Up with John Luongo
The Weekend Stream: April 9, 2023
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Looks like Legacy has missed yet ANOTHER chance to correct GOIN' PLACES. In the digital age, horn charts were added to the track "Different Kind Of Lady," an intrusive and unfortunate move. The original version of the track (sans horns) has only ever been available on the original 1977 vinyl release. Wish we could again hear it the way we grew up with it.
FWIW, I believe the version of "Different Kind of Lady" currently streaming on Spotify/Amazon/etc. lacks the opening horns as heard on the CD version. It's my understanding that the upcoming releases have been remastered from original sources and should also reflect the proper LP mix.
While I get that the industry is largely abandoning physical DIGITAL product, I'd argue that the audience for these reissues are not into streaming or downloading.
I won't even bother with any digital only releases. As for the overpriced "Live" vinyl...I'm not a fan of Live anything.
So they would rather give away content on streaming services than press up some cds?
You can manufacture cds for a couple dollars each.
I'd buy the first two of these if they were on CD, despite the paltry bonus tracks, to complete my collection, but I don't buy download-only (or vinyl).
Here! Here!
This is unfortunate...their legacy is huge however this project is lack luster. No unreleased songs or demos of songs. The Live album, well it’s being reissued on vinyl, but who cares about that...we’ve been jumping up and down about releasing the actual concert on Blu-ray. Denied! This is absurd. Next
Sorry. No CD, No Sale for me. Rather sad and disappointing that Legacy would eschew a fairly large segment of the music buying public, especially those of us into catalog reissues.
Same.
You got CD? You got my Money! Digital has it's place, but lacks certain aspects of nostalgia. Why can't the powers that be see and feel the Connection with Physical media and the more mature consumers? We All spend money, why not have the choice made available for Everyone to buy product in the format that they desire? (Physical and digital). To me, there is just something missing with purchasing music on the digital format. A lack of excitement, in my opinion. Many of us ARE Completists. We want to stack Any of All new releases right next to the Cd's and Vinyl that we already have from our favorite artists, from back in the day. It's time that the powers that be accept this and stop trying to convert, and consequently end up excluding many consumers who just don't want to switch over. Especially with older titles of music and movies.
Certainly there needs to be CDs for all of these. Victory should have been remastered and expanded 20 years ago; regardless of perceived quality of the album, it was their top seller (and did have some good tracks! Michael's downer "Be Not Always" was not one of them.). And Sony better not leave out the 2300 Jackson Street album, it's part of their legacy and had some good material, mostly being a Jermaine showcase.
Press up some CD's or hybrid SACD's. I dont understand why labels couldnt do this and make money. If they cant figure it out license this to a boutique reissue label.
Sounds like easy money if pressed in small quantities at a time.
I’m intrigued by the inclusion of That’s What You Get 12” version amongst the bonus material. Is that not identical to the album version?
Another note about Victory: there were numerous tracks recorded for it but not used, like Marlon's "Where Do I Stand" which wound up on his solo album 3 years later, plus the version of "State of Shock" with Freddie Mercury instead of Jagger, so Sony could make a really GOOD re-issue of that album by including the outtakes along with the single edits/remixes. But judging by what they're putting out so far there will only be the single versions as bonus tracks, so preparing for disappointment on that one.
I never knew that 'Where Do I Stand' was a hold over from the Victory sessions - was that mentioned in an interview at some point? Yes it's seems highly unlikely any bonafide unreleased material will appear given past form. There was a version of 'There Must Be More To Life Than This' on a Queen compilation a few years back, and I thought I read that 'Victory ', the other Michael/Freddie collab, was planned for release by the band but that may have just been wishful thinking.
Yes, Marlon said in a BET interview when his album came out that "Where Do I Stand" should have been on Victory. Wikipedia lists other outtakes too.
Unfortunate that the reissue the self titled album doesn't include the UK single version of Dreamer, which was longer than the album version
Hey Jay, How much longer is the U.K. single version of "Dreamer" and what's unique about it? The label reads 3:03, which is comparable to the standard album length. But we all know labels often lie. Just curious as I've never heard it. Thanks! 🙂
Different instrumentation on the bridge. BOTH this UK single and the alternate Different Kind Of Lady have been issued one time only on sought after HTF compilation CD's.
I believe the 45 (with Good times on the b side) is around 40 secs longer
Was really excited until I got to the "digital-only" part.
A bit bare bones for an extended release in this day and age. Imagine if they'd released this with any kind of proper bonus material - demos, outtakes, live tracks... Could've been wonderful.
But I take what I can get. The releases that highlight the King Of Pop are so few and far between, that any kind of release at all is welcome at this point.
Cool though, that we get the original intro for "Different Kind Of Lady". But I'm a bit bummed out that they didn't include the revised version in the bonus section.
Different Kind Of Lady (12" version) is mislabeled - it's actually the "single version" that appeared on the Destiny 12" single in 1978 (Epic – S EPC 12 6983)
The single version of Dreamer is 3:45 and was only released in UK and Canada in 1976 and 1977 respectively.
It has an instrumental break that is about 20 seconds, not heard on the album version, followed by an extra bridge and an extra chorus. The single version also fades out earlier than the album version (it leaves out the last repeat of the chorus), making it a more interesting song to listen to as a whole.
As far as I know, it has only been published digitally once: on the rather generic, but obscure, 5CD box "Love Ballads" released by Connoisseur Collection in 1994.
Although I fully understand the 'digital-only' sentiment, I really appreciate that The Second Disc is also paying attention to these digital-only releases.
Thanks guys!