This is the only album to include all six Jackson brothers together as an official group, in an album of the boys known as ‘Jacksons’.

‘Victory’ the album was supported by the Victory Tour with Michael, and was the last album to feature Michael Jackson as the lead singer of the group for he had then just released the world's all-time best-selling album, ‘Thriller’ (1982) and was basking in its glory.

Shortly after the tour, Michael and Marlon  quit the group to pursue solo careers while Jermaine, Tito, Randy and Jackie continued on as the Jacksons and released one more album, 1989's ‘2300 Jackson Street’ along with their sisters Janet and Rebbie.

The album opens with Torture, laden with futuristic synth stabs and guitar fronted by vocal by Jermaine and Michael. It has a great 80s sound, but the chorus feels a little too high pitch and in line with the sound Michael was working on. This song comes complete with a great video, which just emphasises the creativity of The Jacksons, with some pretty cool 80’s special effects.

Other songs include One More Chance a slow ballad that’s solely written, produced and led by Randy Jackson. It’s a gentle song. Acoustic guitar opens the final track on this first side on Be Not Always.

Side two opens with the lead single State Of Shock which features Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger. This song picks up the pace perfectly, and Jagger and Michael work well in vocal duel with its back and forth sound energy. However, the song was not originally for Mick, instead the original recording was done with the late Freddie Mercury of Queen, but when he wasn’t able to complete the recordings, Mick Jagger took his place. Good thing or bad thing, the song was a super hit.

This song is followed by We Can Change The World, which sees Tito Jackson take the lead vocals on his solo-penned - pop track. The album comes to a close with the sound of a giant gong, before a familiar Jackson screech ushers in the great 80s synth sounds of Body. Marlon Jackson takes the lead vocals here, and he’s probably the closest sounding to Michael’s vocals and blast words like. ‘Girl I want your body, you know I love your body’ and ‘why don’t you come home with me? This is a great ending to the album.

This eight track album was recorded as the group was clearly breaking up. The brothers were rarely in the studio together, and it kind of shows. Only two of the four singles had videos. Despite this, the full group found great success together on the Victory Tour.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira