The Jackson Sisters

The Jackson Sisters, not to be confused with sisters, LeToya, Janet, and Rebbie, who were the sisters of the Jackson Five, but were an American soul and disco family from Compton, California, who were based in Detroit, Michigan.
The Jackson Sisters comprised of Jacqueline Jackson-Rencher, Lyn Jackson, Pat Jackson, Rae Jackson and Gennie Jackson. They recorded material for the Tiger Lily Records label, obtaining some modest success in the 1970s. However the group really came into their own nearly a decade later, following the emergence of the rare groove scene in the UK. Many of their songs were written by Johnny Bristol, with production duties from Bobby Taylor, who is most notable for discovering and helping to mentor afore mentioned Jackson 5. Taylor also helped co-write their best-known tune, the rare groove anthem, "I Believe In Miracles", in 1976. The song originally started life as a b-side to the Mums label release of pop/soul tune 'Boy You're Dynamite'. It was then re-released, in its own right, in the U.K. in 1987 on the Polydor's Urban subsidiary, where it peaked at #72 in the UK Singles Chart in June of that year.
An album was scheduled to be released from them on Tiger Lily Records in 1976, but for some reason it was withdrawn. A few promo copies did make it into circulation and they were at one point changing hands for around £500 (UK). Now however you can get this LP, with a couple of extra versions of 'Miracle' for the princely sum of just £2.99, although it doesn't have the candy pink and cartoon style cover of the original...

I like this LP, though by know means a classic, it is still a fine example of pop/soul tunes with a Motown feel. I can see why the record company maybe didn’t release it, which for me has nothing to do with the quality on show here, but when I first heard it I thought it was an LP from a 1970 – 73 sort of era, and what with the rise of disco in around 1976 this may LP could well of sounded a bit ‘dated’ for the record execs to put it out. Now though you can listen to it for what it is, some great sugar coated poppy soul with some dirty, greasy funk on top. Although as stated earlier these ladies are not related to the Jacksons there is definitely a Jackson 5 feel to some of the songs and their cover of ‘Why Do Fools Fall In Love’ is a prime example of this easy going soul, pop sound. Another cover on here is Aretha’s ‘Rock Steady’, which shows the girls down right funky side, with this bongo flailing version, not to different from the original though the pace is a bit faster. The ’76 Mums label single ‘Boy You’re Dynamite’ is another slice of up tempo sing-a-long pop soul, which perhaps recorded and released a few years earlier could maybe have propelled these girls into the limelight more. The crowning glory of this set, and most likely why the majority of people will want to pick this up is ‘Miricles’. This was a classic and instant floor filler in the clubs on the 'rare groove scene' in London circa 1987, with its distinct and instantly recognisable intro, its swift pace and uplifting feel, a song that even after all these years still makes me feel good and can even give me goose bumps. 3 minutes of pure musical feel good brilliance.

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Jackson Sisters 1976 (Tiger Lily Records)
Original Tracklist

01 Where Your Love Is Gone
02 Maybe
03 Why Do Fools Fall In Love
04 Day In The Blue
05 Rockin' On My Porch
06 Boy You're Dynamite
07 Rock Steady
08 Miracles
09 (Why Can't We Be) More Than Just Friends
10 Shake Her Loose