LP Review: Goin' Places
Previous LP: The Jacksons (B-) Next LP: Destiny (A-)
Released: 1977
LP Charts: #11 R&B, #63 pop
On Goin’ Places the Jacksons were once more put under the thumb of Philly International’s stable of writers. The label’s leaders, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, got five songs (just like they did on the preceding album, The Jacksons).
The Jacksons themselves were given two songs, just like before. The album’s other two songs were split between the team of John Whitehead, Gene McFadden, and Victor Carstarphen; and the duo of Dexter Wansel and Cynthia Biggs.
The result, although with moments of real fun, is kind of a mess.
It had to happen, though.
If not for this album underperforming, perhaps the good people at CBS Records never would have taken the Jacksons out of the Philadelphia International machine and given them total artistic freedom and control.
Frankly, the Gamble and Huff contributions to this album are generally pathetic. It’s as if they were busy working on more interesting projects and remembered at the last minute they had to give the Jacksons something.
“Heaven Knows I Love You, Girl” is an absolutely dreadful ballad that does not fit the Jacksons’ style and aura whatsoever. They even make poor Tito give some lame-ass bedroom patter like he’s Barry White. Just a complete disaster.
Not as bad, but still awful, is “Man Of War”. It’s a tired antiwar song. I’m not out here to encourage warfare, but I would like my antiwar songs to have a little vitality and cleverer lyrics.
Man of war, don't go to war no more
Why don't you, why don't you study peace?
Man of war, don't go to war no more
Study peace 'cause peace is what we need
Inexplicably, “Goin’ Places” (#8 R&B, #52 pop) was released as the album’s lead single. It’s an average song, but its lyrics are yet more hokum. The Jacksons are forced to sing about how much they love goin’ places and learning about different cultures. Like, come the fuck on. At least musically, the song is kinda interesting making up somewhat for the stupid lyrics.
Finally, we get an above-average Gamble and Huff song with the jazzy ballad “Find Me A Girl”. However, this song is not a good fit for the Jacksons. Teddy Pendergrass? Hell yeah. The Jacksons? Hell nah. They do their best with it though.
That means that out of five songs, Gamble and Huff’s only track that feels like it fits the Jacksons is “Even Though You’re Gone”. It’s another ballad, but the lush instrumentation does a great job fitting with a fluttery lead delivery from Michael.
THE GOOD STUFF
Credit to the other Philly International writers who seemed more interested in the Jacksons than Gamble and Huff did.
Whitehead, McFadden, and Carstarphen put together a pop-lockin’ dance jam with “Music’s Takin’ Over”. The lyrics here a tiny bit hokey, but they are forgiven since the song’s clear message is to get you dancin’ not to think too hard. Wansel and Biggs deliver a mindless dance number too with “Jump For Joy”. As is Wansel’s want, this song has squiggly keyboard as well.
And now we get to the Jacksons’ own material. The stuff that when compared to the rest of this album made CBS Records get the message that the Jacksons needed to write and produce themselves.
“Do What You Wanna” blends Philly Soul with the disco-funk the Jacksons were clearly more interested in. Particularly, Michael is toying around with his vocals seeing how weirdly he can contort his voice around the lyrics. The other brothers give a rich backing vocal performance too. It’s a really fun song.
Even better is “Different Kind Of Lady”, which has no concessions to Philly Soul and clearly shows where we’re headed on the Jacksons’ next album, Destiny. Michael is hiccuppin’ and coughin’ his vocals right from the start. There’s a jittery rhythm guitar. All of the instruments seem designed to be percussive no matter what they actually are.
Most importantly, there’s simply a different kind of energy on “Different Kind Of Lady”. The Jacksons truly sounded like themselves instead of doing the best they can with other folks’ material.
ALBUM GRADE: C
The Gamble and Huff turds aside, this album is pretty decent. But the Gamble and Huff turds are 1/3 of the album.
Song Scores
Music’s Takin’ Over: 7/10
Goin’ Places: 5/10
Different Kind Of Lady: 7.5/10
Even Though You’re Gone: 7/10
Jump For Joy: 7/10
Heaven Knows I Love You, Girl: 0/10
Man Of War: 3/10
Do What You Wanna: 7/10
Find Me A Girl: 6/10
Previous LP: The Jacksons (B-) Next LP: Destiny (A-)