"2300 Jackson Street" is the sixteenth and final studio album by American group The Jacksons, released on May 23, 1989. The album is named after the address of their childhood home. It marks the group's first and only album produced without Michael and Marlon Jackson, both of whom left the group after the 1984 Victory tour. Michael's absence was especially significant, as he had been the group's central figure in their most successful years. Despite this, the album managed to peak at No. 59 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and No. 14 on the Top Black Albums chart, with worldwide sales of over 500,000 copies.
In a 1989 Billboard article, Jackie Jackson explained that after their Victory album, the group was in a difficult position with little support from their label at first. However, after hearing the tracks "Alright with Me" and "If You'd Only Believe," CBS Records began to show interest, leading to increased promotional efforts for the album. The management firm Fitzgerald-Hartley also approached the Jacksons after hearing the album, despite having not managed a black act since the Brothers Johnson. They compared the group’s situation to that of Rufus after Chaka Khan’s departure, suggesting that people often forget what made the group special once a key member leaves.
The title track, "2300 Jackson Street," features contributions from Michael and Janet Jackson. Michael recorded his vocals at his Encino home, while Janet recorded hers at Marlon's home studio. The album's first single, "Nothin' (That Compares 2 U)," received strong support from black radio stations, with 84% of stations adding it to their playlists during its first week of release.
Overall, 2300 Jackson Street stands as a bittersweet farewell to the Jacksons' recording career, capturing a moment in time for the group without its most iconic member, Michael.
