Sometime after out growing their Black Osmonds tag, and before Michael would depart to enjoy a solo career to make both Donny & Marie wish they’d become tabloid freaks instead of Mormons, the Jackson’s recorded a brace of albums for Epic. These landmark releases would also open the door for their little brother’s future alliance and show for the first time what the siblings were capable of outside the Motown fold. Recorded in 1978 and 1980 respectively, these two pivotal albums really have stood the test of time, and with added bonus mixes, will no doubt find many takers. ‘Destiny’ includes the smash ‘Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)’, and the equally infectious ‘Blame It On The Boogie’ (including both of John Luongo’s disco mixes from the time). It was also their first self-written and produced opus, previewing MJ’s talent that would soon explode on ‘Off The Wall’. The same blueprint was adopted for the equally magical, and aptly named, Triumph Their second consecutive multi-platinum-seller, it housed the hits ‘Lovely One’, ‘Walk Right Now’, ‘This Place Hotel’, and the oft-sampled ‘Can You Feel It’. Again the inclusion of extended mixes and expansive liner notes makes the CD edition a must have for anyone that grew up in the ‘70s and no longer possess a record player.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: (Lewis Dene)
