The Jacksons – Goin' Places

"The Jacksons" ‎"Goin' Places" kind of continued where their "Epic Records' debut left off....The only difference is that besides "Kenny Gamble" and "Leon Huff", the Brothers got to produce some of the album themselves....It was something the group was striving for....

Starting with "Music's Takin' Over" (produced by "John Whitehead", "Gene McFadden"and "Victor Carstarphen"), you can tell that the Brothers were starting back up where they finished with their "Self Titled" album....

The "Title Track" was the first single...Even though it was produced by "Gamble & Huff", it was just ok....

"Different Kind Of Lady", was their first experience in Producing...It wasn't Crown Jewel material, but with its jumpin' beat, they would be soon on their way....

"Jump For Joy" (produced by "Mr. Mars Dexter Wansel"), to me, should had been a single!!!!! It had the energy that the group was looking for (and was the 1st Crown Jewel)....

Now, back to the "Gamble & Huff" stuff....

"Do What You Wanna" and "Even Though You're Gone" are nice offerings, but, to me, they don't really measure up to "Gamble & Huff" Classics standards...

The album does have 2 more Crown Jewels though....

"Man Of War" (2nd) is that classic "Gamble & Huff" that we are looking for, while the 3rd Crown Jewel, "Find Me A Girl", has "Michael" in his romantic mode....

This would end the association with "Gamble & Huff", but I heard they split on good ....Get ready though, because after this, things are about to get really serious!!!!!!!!!!

PS: 8/26/2024: Rearranging my BRAIN, "Even Though You're Gone" has BECOME an Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel!!!!!

Does anyone know if this has the original mix of Different Kind Of Lady, without the added horns?

Going Places album from the Jacksons is probably their most underrated album, and its funkiest in concept with beautiful soul ballads. Another great aspect about this album is that MJ voice sounded amazing. In this album, he sings with his natural tone. He did not sing in a falsetto tone as he did afterwards. For me, his voice is much better in his natural tone.

An oft-forgotten dark horse in the Jacksons canon, Goin' Places is a quality Philadelphia soul vehicle that solidly showcased their affinity for the genre as well as setting off the second golden phase of their artistic rise. Every trademark and nuance that Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and their PIR empire was known for by that point is given a lot of shine on this platter, but what's even more impressive is how the brothers captivatingly deliver the material (particularly 17/18-year old Michael Jackson). Just sheer soulful brilliance on every level. During its initial release in the fall of 1977, it barely made as big of a commercial splash in the States as the 1976 gold-selling debut album and saw itself in the cutout bins by the holiday shopping season of that year. Their loyalists (read: black audience) and fan base overseas responded more enthusiastically to it. It's very much a transitional work for the brothers, as they were still finding their footing after jumping ship from Motown.

My copy has the dark blue Epic label instead of the orange label, is mine a reissue?

My Dutch pressing copy has label number EPC 86035 (the original one from 1977) but has not the orange Epic label colour, but the grey/dark blue Epic label colour which was introduced after 1979.

Got mine. It has a "PROMO ONLY, NOT FOR RESALE" stamp on the front. It would be good to add the PROMO description!