The Jacksons: Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson (vocals, percussion); Tito Jackson (guitar, percussion, background vocals).
Additional personnel includes: David Williams, Mike Sembello, Phil Upchurch, Paul Jackson, Jr., Greg Poree (guitar); Gary Herbig (flute); Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft, Bill Reichenbach, Larry Hall (horns); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards, synthesizer); Ronnie Foster (keyboards); Webster Lewis, Michael Boddicker (synthesizer); Gary Coleman (vibraphone); Nathan Watts, Mike McKinney, Clay Drayton (bass); Ollie Brown (drums); Paulinho De Costa, Lennie Castro (percussion); Latoya Jackson, Stephanie Spruill, Maxine Willard Waters, Julia Tillman Waters (background vocals).
Composer: Michael Jackson.
Personnel: Jackie Jackson , Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson (vocals); Greg Poree, Michael Sembello, Paul Jackson, Jr. , Phil Upchurch, Tito Jackson, David E. Williams (guitar); Gary Herbig (flute); Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Hall , William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. (horns); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards, synthesizer); Ronnie Foster (keyboards); Michael Boddicker, Webster Lewis (synthesizer); Gary Coleman (vibraphone); Ollie E. Brown (drums); Marlon Jackson (timpani); Lenny Castro, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Gene Corso (sound effects); Julia Tillman Waters, Maxine Willard Waters, Stephanie Spruill (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Tom Perry.
Liner Note Author: Ernest Hardy.
Recording information: Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA; Davlen Sound; Devonshire Sound; Hollywood Sound; Sound City; Westlake Audio.
Arrangers: Tom Tom 84; Jackie Jackson ; Jerry Hey; Michael Jackson; Randy Jackson .
The Jacksons kicked open the door to the '80s with the appropriately titled TRIUMPH. Michael Jackson's gigantic success a year earlier with his platinum-selling OFF THE WALL fueled this album, which heavily features his scorching vocals and hitmaking production sensibilities.
With all songs written and produced by the Jacksons, the album begins with the orchestral bombast of "Can You Feel It," complete with child and adult choirs; it's a big song with a monumental production. Entering a new phase of their career mixing spooky spirituality with unimpeachably funky beats, the Jacksons feature a number of hits, notably the sentimental boogie of "Lovely One," the paranoid lyrics and chugging disco beat of "Walk Right Now," and Michael's downright eerie "This Place Hotel" (aka "Heartbreak Hotel"), which may well be where he met Billie Jean.
Professional Reviews
Q (8/94, p.126) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...Possibly the only truly decent album The Jacksons ever made..."
