The Jacksons-Triumph (1980)

Coming off the monster album that was Off The Wall, Michael Jackson went back into the studio with his brothers to record their fourth album as The Jacksons in 1980. The results of their work was a classic album that has gone largely ignored in light of Michael's mega-album, Thriller.

The epic single Can You Feel It kicks the album off. The song only managed to grab the number 30 spot on the R&B charts, but the music video was a huge hit. Little brother Randy does a good job singing lead, but is no match for the vocal intensity of MJ. Next up was the disco-inspired Lovely One, the album's biggest hit (no. 2 R&B, no. 12 Pop). My personal favorite Everybody sounds like it could have fit perfectly on OTW.

The first half of the album is great, but it is the second half where all of the Jacksons, not just Michael, show their talent for producing and performing top-notch music. Heartbreak Hotel, written by Michael and later renamed "This Place Hotel" for legal reasons, is cut from the same cloth as Michael's later work on songs like Billie Jean and Smooth Criminal. It's a must hear for any real MJ fan. Time Waits For No One, written by Randy and Jackie, ranks right with She's Out of My Life and Lady In My Life as MJ's best ballads.

Walk Right Now is a fun, upbeat song that deserved a much higher charting than number 50 rating it received on the R&B charts. Another favorite is Give It Up, a Michael-Marlon duet that shows Marlon capable of keeping up with his talented younger sibling, at least for one song. The album concludes with Jackie's solo performance of Wondering Who, a song that was ahead of it's time with it's use of synthesizers. The song could easily be a predecessor for the Gap Band's You Dropped A Bomb on Me.

Triumph was Michael's last album with his brothers before he achieved immortality with the success of Thriller a few years later. The group would come together with brother Jermaine in 1984 to produce Victory, but the album lacked the cohesiveness of it's predecessor. Triumph is a frozen moment in time that often gets overlooked in the worldwind life of Michael Joesph Jackson. In between classic albums, Michael submitted his superior talent to work with his brothers and produce an album that stands the test of time.

Battle of Baltimore- Pt. 2 The First Half

Last season, Morgan State entered the MEAC tournament as heavily favorites to roll over the competiton and into the NCAA Tournament. But they ran into a huge problem in the form of the surging Coppin State Eagles and their star point guard, Tywain McKee. McKee scored a game-high 33 points, dished out 12 assists as the Eagles stunned the Bears. The two teams renew acquaintances today with a berth in the conference championship at steak.

1st Half

- Game tied at 7 all With 12:48 left in the first half.
- So far, the game has the intensity and the emotions of a championship game. Very physical.
- Morgan coach Todd Bozeman earned himself a little attention by letting out a yell after catching a loose ball out of bounds.
-MSU's Regie Holmes starts off 4 for 6, 3 for 4 from the 3pt line; has 12 points with a little more than 5 minutes remaining in the first half.
-Holmes finishes the half on fire, with 21 points, almost outscoring the whole Coppin team. MSU leads 36-22.

MEAC Thursday

---6:27 p.m. The evening's first men's game, Norfolk State vs. Bethune Cookman is now underway. The Spartan's are up 20-13 at the seven minute mark.

--- NSU's Corey Lyons has come out hot with 13 points. Lyons is shooting 4-4 from the field and 3-3 from the three-point line.

---BCU star Clifford Reed struggles in first half w/ 10 points on 4 of 11 shooting.

Caldwell out

Change is coming to Winston-Salem State Athletics in the form of a new athletic director. WSSU sent out a release stating that Percy "Chico" Caldwell has stepped down from his post, effective immediately. Caldwell, who has served as director of athletics since 2000, will be replaced by senior female adminstrator Tonia Walker on an interim basis. More to come on this later.    

Rams run through Bison; pick up win no. 1

Winston-Salem State managed to put together its' first complete game of the season against Howard on Saturday, coming away with a 34-10 win. Having lost all three previous home games plus the season opener to North Carolina A&T, the Rams were desperate. The Rams dominated the Bison in every facet of the game.

Quarterback Jarrett Dunston had a career night, completing ll 0f 16 passes for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added a 41 yard touchdown run. Defensive lineman-turned-fullback Devven Sutton scored 2 touchdowns, the first on a 7 yard catch from Dunston and the second via a 2 yard plunge into the endzone. Sutton's two touchdown's gave the Rams a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, their biggest of the season, and the route was on. Wide receiver Bryant Bayne also had a big day, catching 4 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown. Unfortunately for Bayne and the Rams, the rest of the senior's season seems in doubt as he suffered a broken ankle late in the first half.

That was about the only bad news for the Rams, as the Bison never got closer than 14-7 in the second quarter. Now the Rams look to carry the momentum of the win with them as they travel to Tallahassee, FL to take on Florida A&M on Thursday. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU HD. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm.

And the winner is.... Jefferson

The competition for Winston-Salem State's starting quarterback decision appears to be nearing an end. According to a report by the Winston-Salem Journal's John Dell, redshirt freshman Tienne Jefferson was named the starter for the team's opener against North Carolina A&T.

At the Rams most recent press conference, Blount said that no matter who was named the starter, both would likely see time under center on Saturday.

The Rams and the Aggies will kickoff at 6:00 p.m. at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro.

Rams to name starter Thursday

Just two days before his team's showdown with North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State coach Kermit Blount admitted that he doesn't quite know who will start at quarterback on Saturday. He said either redshirt freshman Tienne Jefferson or redshirt sophmore Jarrett Dunston will be named the starter on Thursday at the Rams weekly press conference.

"It's gonna be a tough decision for us," he said. "Hopefully both guys can get a chance to play."

Dunston saw limited action last year after transferring from Temple. Jefferson has yet to take a snap in college. Blount said that Dunston was having a strong camp, but his injury helped Jefferson get into the mix.

"Jefferson showed the ability to make things happen in the offense. Both of those guys were having really great camps," Blount said.

Blount said that no matter who is named the starter, he feels his offense will be in good hands.

"Either one of those guys can get it done," he said.