Touch Of Class - Touch Of Class (1979)

Touch of Class was an American soul and R&B musical group from Philadelphia featuring four members: the brothers Gerald Jackson and Pete Jackson, as well as Herbert Brevard and Michael Hailstock. The band was active from the mid-1970s until mid-1980s recording for Midland International Records and affiliated RCA label and had a hit with their debut "I'm in Heaven" reaching #65 on Billboard Hot 100. It was also the title of their debut studio album. By 1979, Michael Hailstock had left to concentrate on songwriting and the band turned into a trio.
Their second album, the self-titled Touch of Class included their version of "Turn the Beat Around", a song written by Gerald and Pete Jackson and recorded by Vicki Sue Robinson in 1976 that gained big recognition and a big hit for her. the song is considered a dance/disco classic. It was also re-recorded by Laura Branigan in 1990 and by Gloria Estefan in 1994.

Besides their own work, the Jacksons did background vocals and studio work, mostly for Clarence Burke, Jr. of The Invisible Man's Band and The Five Stairsteps. Touch of Class made a comeback with the release of their 2014 cd Back to the Future on Libra Brothers Music. In 2005 Hamp Dickerson became the newest member of the group.

Brothers Pete and Gerald Jackson had enjoyed some earlier success as songwriters – their breakthrough coming when Vicki Sue Robinson covered ‘Turn the Beat Around‘.

The resulting  publicity may well have helped the Jacksons score a recording contract as members of the Philadelphia-based Touch of Class.
Arranged, conducted and produced by John Davis with support from the Salsoul Orchestra, 1976’s cleverly titled “I’m In Heaven” offered up a modest mixture of old school soul and more dance oriented tracks.

Over the next three years the group continued recording for Midland, though they enjoyed little in the way of success .


A1. I Need Action  - 4:31
A2. You Took The Sunshine  - 4:52
A3. I Found My Rainbow - 4:46
A4. Let Yourself Go - 5:52

B1. Turn The Beat Around - 3:19
B2. El Remo - 4:25
B3. You’ve Got My Soul - 4:33
B4. Come Back Home - 4:40