Search - The Jacksons :: Triumph

Michael and his brothers

Tom | Toronto | 07/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sandwiched between the stunning success of "Off the Wall" and what would be his opus, "Thriller," Michael Jackson rejoined his brothers for "Triumph." Jackson really didn't need to; the mammoth success of "Off the Wall" proved that he was a solo star, but working with his brothers on "Triumph" allowed Michael to develop the style and sounds that would eventually be heard on "Thriller."



"Can You Feel It" is a blockbuster single, a brilliant pop/R&B song that ranks with MJ's best solo songs. Strangely, the single was not a top ten hit on either the R&B or pop charts. But it has become an old-school favourite, and its lavish video was an indication of what was to come with Michael's own videos. "Lovely One" and "This Place Hotel (aka Heartbreak Hotel)" did better on the charts and they're still catchy songs, even if like most of the album, they have been eclipsed by Michael's solo success. "Walk Right Now" is also presented here in an album mix and club mix, and it's an underrated club stomper.



"Triumph" is a tight, funky album that is worth hearing, particularly in this re-mastered edition. It is an important album, because it was the precursor to "Thriller," an album that would change Michael, both musically and personally. It was also one of the last occasions Michael worked with his brothers on an album proper, aside from "Victory.""

Possibly One Of The Greatest Albums I've Ever Heard

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 02/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Jacksons 1980 release Triumph is.....well something I simply don't know how to put into words.Since I first heard it 15 years ago to today it continues to thrill me more and more hearing it and gets better with each listening.Everything from the bands then new eye popping logo to the cover art depicting the brothers as hi tech celestrial aperitions from with an aura from another world puts this awe inspiring music even higher.Here the band are totally free in terms of writing and production,which they were beforehand but overseen.That sense of independance,drama and intense passion permeates every corner of this album.The musicians on the album are the same but everything is just totally different. Whereas the previous album Destiny features a very earthbound style that is really musically diverse,this coeleses everything into a distinctive sound with a high octane,mildly new wave inflected production that not only defined post disco R&B of the day but succeeds in a soundscape with a marvelous use of studio gloss and downright funkiness."Can You Feel It" really sets the mood,a truly epic plea for cultural unity that,like it's accompanying video clip that combines contemporary funk with the feeling of a modern call to arms kind of secularized gospel.The Jacksons were also obviously effected by Quincy Jones' recent production on Michaels solo album Off the Wall on "Lovely One" and "Everybody",both bass bottom heavy,rhythmic tunes of high funky preportion but again the bands self production is still in a league of it's own.In terms of the era nothing really brings to mind the death of disco then "Your Ways",with it's creepy sense of forboding and uniqueness.Similar is the terrific "This Place Hotel",one of The Jackson's classic;errie,funky and with Michael very much in control of the concept-again returning to the theme of romantic doom. "Time Waits For No One" is the only song here that could qualify as a ballad yet it's yearning,heartbroken lead vocal puts it leagues ahead of most schmaltzier ballads of the era. Continuing with the epic feel are two more amazing songs;"Walk Right Now" is a hard edged dance-funk burner that brims with energy,rhythm and a heavy kick from beginning to end. "Give It Up" has some echoes of Paul McCartney's "Let Em' In" in terms of the arrangement but again there's an otherworldly undertone."Wondering Who" is really probably the most ear catching thing here;it concludes the album with a very early electro-funk tune complete with staccato synths,vocorders and great vocals from Jackie. The fact that he got such a forward thinking tune as his one solo spot on the album says much for the bands collective unity as they recorded this album. There are three bonuses here too.The single version of "This Place Hotel" is interesting but adds nothing to the brilliance of the full version,considering the outro that was edited out for the 45 RPM format. Where John Luongo's disco remixes on the reissue of the previous albums really add to those songs,there's nothing that can truly add to what is already there on "Walk Right Now",although the instrumental version will be great for aspiring musicans to play along with and will score big at kareoke parties. Taken together this album is the most ambitious,musically solid album The Jacksons ever made.And the huge commercial and artistic success of this album laid the groundwork for further success not only for Michael's own upcoming masterpiece Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller but for the entire genre to which this belongs in general."

Underrated classic

Andre S. Grindle | 07/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album didn't get the publicity it deserved in 1980-81 in part because of the disco backlash of the era keeping a lot of good Soul music of the time away from pop stations and audiences, relegating things like this to Black American radio stations and British soul fans.



With that said, TRIUMPH is one of the best unified post J5 Jackson Brothers efforts. CAN YOU FEEL IT was probably the last truly great song the brothers did together as a group, with that brilliant bass line and (as usual) uplifting message (BTW, the spectacular video predates MJ's spectacular THRILLER videos of a few years later). Also, the lovely GIVE IT UP and TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE are stellar examples of MJ balladry. Admittedly THIS PLACE/HEARTBREAK HOTEL is no classic, but it's listenable and not a bad song. WALK RIGHT NOW is also decent. On the whole, not a bad track on this album.



THILLER, unfortunately, has done for this album what SAM COOKE LIVE AT THE HARLEM SQUARE did for SAM COOKE LIVE AT THE COPA. An excellent album leaving a really good one in the historical dust. It shouldn't be that way. If you like THRILLER, rediscover TRIUMPH. You'll be glad you did."