Midnight Magic is the seventh studio album by the musical group the Commodores, released in 1979. It was certified Gold in the UK by the BPI. Midnight Magic was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.
Critical reception
The New York Times stated that "the Commodores, too, have their disco‐dance numbers. But this group's principal appeal would seem to be its ability to come up with classy 'makeout' music. The new Midnight Magic, which is moving up the album charts quickly, will disappoint no one in search of just that. And as usual, the Commodores' ability to span a wide stylistic range and to avoid some of the more tired cliches of black vocal instrumental groups is extremely refreshing." Smash Hits called it, "solid professional funk, but still faceless and only moderately entertaining - mainly because of a distinct threadbareness in the melody department." The Bay State Banner noted that "the vocals, it is true, are rather toneless—grouped together in the mix, the textural interest of a single throat is erased—but the rhythm section plays with verve through unusual chordings that oddly parallel the vocal register."
Singles "Still" became the band's second U.S. No. 1 single. Another single was the No. 4 hit "Sail On".
Record World said of the single "Wonderland" that "the vocals will mesmerize all tastes." "Wonderland" reached No. 25.
Track listing
Personnel
Commodores Lionel Richie – vocals, acoustic piano, keyboards, saxophones Milan Williams – keyboards Thomas McClary – vocals, lead guitar Ronald LaPread – vocals, bass Walter Orange – vocals, drums, percussion William King – vocals, trumpet, keyboards, percussion
Additional personnel Harold Hudson – horn and string arrangements (1, 3, 6) James Anthony Carmichael – horn and string arrangements (2, 4, 5, 7–9)
The Mean Machine David Cochrane – saxophones Harold Hudson – trumpet Darrell Jones – rhythm guitar Winston Sims – saxophones
Production Commodores – producers, arrangements James Anthony Carmichael – producer, arrangements Calvin Harris – engineer, mixing Jane Clark – engineer, mixing Bernie Grundman – mastering at A&M Studios (Hollywood, California) John Cabalka – art direction Ginny Livingston – design Tom Nikosey – cover and logo design Gene Gurley – photography Suzee Ikeda – product manager
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1979–1980) Peakposition U.S. Billboard 200 3 U.S. Billboard R&B Albums 1 Australia 56 C.A. RPM Pop Albums 17 New Zealand 7 Netherlands 9 Sweden 44 UK Albums Chart (OCC) 15 Norway20
Year-end charts Chart (1979) Peakposition Billboard R&B 36 Chart (1980) PeakpositionU.S. Billboard 200 22 Billboard R&B 10
Singles Single Chart Position"Sail On" Belgium (VRT Top 30) 14 Canada (RPM) 3 Ireland Singles Chart 8Netherlands Singles Top 100 8Official New Zealand Music Chart 6 UK Singles Chart 8 U.S.Billboard Hot 100 4 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 9U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles 8"Still" Canada (RPM) 2 Ireland Singles Chart 3Netherlands Singles Top 100 16Official New Zealand Music Chart 13 UK Singles Chart 4 U.S.Billboard Hot 100 1 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 6U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles 1"Wonderland" Canada (RPM) 70 UK Singles Chart 40 U.S.Billboard Hot 100 25 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 43U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles 21
Sales and certifications
References