2008 digitally remastered and expanded Legacy Edition of this
album from the R&B legends formerly known as The Jackson 5 (their
defection to CBS left Jermaine and their old name behind with the
Motown empire). Includes three bonus tracks. This 1980 album has
the group ing out their sound and songwriting abilities even
more. The anthemic "Can't You Feel It" has enough hubris and
undeniable craft to get this polished work started. But as
Triumph plays, what's striking is that the songs don't
immediately leap out at you but they all land on their feet. The
blissful and funky tracks found on this album are effortless,
punchy which maximizes the album. Triumph is a gorgeous effort
and remains an absolute necessity for any comprehensive
collection. 12 tracks. Sony/BMG.
BBC Review
----------
Something of tremendous significance happened after
The Jacksons’ Destiny album was released in December 1978:
Michael Jackson resumed his solo career and issued his first
album of adulthood, Off the Wall. After this point, the balance
of power shifted within the Jacksons, and subsequently, they
would only last three further albums as a outfit.
Destiny had proved that the group, who had been in the relative
commercial doldrums since their move from Motown to Epic in 1975,
was able to produce themselves, and as a result the album and its
singles, Blame It on the Boogie and Shake Your Body, were chart
successes.
Triumph is the second of the trio of albums that marked Michael’s
all-conquering phase. Released in October 1980, just over a year
after Off the Wall, and a couple of years before Thriller, it
marks his de facto leadership of his brothers on an album of
all-conquering dance music. His other brothers – Tito, Marlon,
Jackie and Randy – certainly contribute, but Triumph is very much
Michael’s record, producing with his brothers and writing or
co-writing six of the album’s nine songs.
Triumph is dominated by its hit singles – Can You Feel It, Walk
Right Now, Lovely One and This Place Hotel. Can You Feel It – a
duet between Michael and Randy – came complete with its
oh-so-futuristic video that perfectly encapsulated its moment, as
it visualised the song’s calls for peace and harmony, full of the
space mania that followed in the wake of Star Wars. The clubby
kick of Walk Right Now, with Nathan Watts’ hypnotic bass and
Ollie Brown’s metronomic drums, is one of the group’s greatest
moments.
If you lived through it, you’ll realise you’re familiar with all
of the tracks, as they seemed to be everywhere at the time – such
as the swooning urban soundscape of Everybody or the tender
balladry of Time Waits for No One. If you didn’t hear it then,
it’s a sumptuous where-to-go-next after hearing the best of
Michael’s solo career.
Triumph returned the group to the top of the US R&B charts for
the first time since 1971 and finally buried any ghosts of their
Motown past. Its title sums up exactly what’s inside: this is a
triumphant, glorious sound. Although they would make two further
albums – the fraught Victory and the largely Michael-less 2300
Jackson Street, Triumph is the last set from the Jacksons at the
zenith of their united, creative ability.
--Daryl Easlea
Find more music at the BBC ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/syn//albumreviews/-/music/ ) This link
will take you off in a new window