Goin' Places is the twelfth studio album by the Jacksons. It would be the last Jacksons' album released as a joint venture between Epic Records and Philadelphia International Records. Goin' Places peaked at No. 63 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States, and at No. 11 on the US Soul Albums chart. The album sold over half a million copies worldwide. A concert tour to promote the album, named the Goin' Places Tour, ran from January to May 1978.

Release

Goin' Places was released on October 18, 1977, on Epic Records. It was the group's 12th album, and would be the last Jacksons' album released as a joint venture between Epic Records and Philadelphia International Records. By 1978, the Jacksons would record primarily with Epic and would return to mainstream success with their next album, Destiny.

This is considered their lowest-selling album next to 2300 Jackson Street. The album peaked at No. 63 on the US Billboard 200, and at No. 11 on the US Soul albums chart. It sold over half a million copies worldwide.

Goin' Places spawned the disco-hit "Different Kind of Lady" written by the group. The song gave the brothers the confidence to write and produce an entire album by themselves.

Music videos

In November 1977 the Jacksons released music videos to promote songs from the album.

The “Goin' Places” music video has the members of the band switching from a live performance to traveling in many different ways. The video for "Even Though You're Gone" features the band members sitting (Michael separated from the rest of the group) singing the song. The video features the Jacksons wearing blue tuxedos.

Critical reception

Goin' Places received generally positive reviews. AllMusic stated, "The Jacksons' move to Epic regenerated their enthusiasm and spirit for several years. The Gamble & Huff team brought them fresh material and new production ideas, as well as better tracks and arrangements than they'd gotten in quite a while on Motown. This album got them R&B and pop hits and kept the family act in the spotlight for a little while longer".

Track listing

Personnel

;The Jacksons

  • Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals
  • Tito Jackson – lead (tracks 6 & 7) and backing vocals, guitars
  • Marlon Jackson – lead (track 7) and backing vocals
  • Jackie Jackson – lead (track 7) and backing vocals
  • Randy Jackson – lead (track 7) and backing vocals, congas

;Additional musicians

  • Charles Collins – drums
  • David Cruse, Larry Washington – bongos, congas
  • Roland Chambers, Michael "Sugar Bear" Forman, Dennis Harris – guitars
  • Leon Huff, Dexter Wansel – keyboards, piano
  • Dexter Wansel, Jack Faith – arrangements

;Technical

  • Leon Huff, Kenneth Gamble – executive producers
  • Jay Mark, Joe Tarsia – engineers
  • Ed Lee, John Berg – design
  • Reid Miles – photography

Charts

Album

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|-

!scope="col"|Chart (1977)

!scope="col"|Peak<br />position

|-

!scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC)

| 45

|-

!scope="row"|US Billboard Top LPs & Tape

|63

|-

! scope="row"| US Soul LPs (Billboard)

|11

|}

Singles

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|-

! rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Single

! colspan="3"| Chart positions

|- style="font-size:smaller;"

! width="40"|U.S. Billboard Hot 100

! width="40"|U.S. R&B

! width="40"|U.K.

|-

| rowspan="2"|1977

| align="left"| "Goin' Places"

| 52

| 8

| 26

|-

| align="left"| "Find Me a Girl"

| -

| 38

| -

|-

| rowspan="1"|1978

| align="left"| "Even Though You're Gone"

| -

| -

| 31

|-

|}

References

  • The Jacksons – Goin' Places at Discogs