Customer Reviews

Blue Magic - Greatest Hits

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The group known as Blue Magic really made its name on the quality and success of its first album. Like The Spinners' first album for Atlantic Records, or The Stylistics' first lp release, "Blue Magic" was a greatest hits collection all by itself. Eight of its nine tracks can be found here, and that pretty much says it all. Their biggest hits ("Spell," "Stop To Start," and "Sideshow") are the highlights of any Blue Magic collection. Also from that album are well-remembered tracks like "What's Come Over Me," "Welcome To The Club," and "Look Me Up." And you'll also find the group's original version of "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely," which was made into a big hit by both The Main Ingredient and Ronnie Dyson. Gems from the group's later efforts are included (like "Chasing Rainbows" and "Three Ring Circus"), but not too many of them, which is why I only give this collection 4 stars. Also, the one missing song from the "Blue Magic" album, "Answer To My Prayer," deserves to be here, and could have easily been included! It and a lot of other lesser-known but still great cuts can be found on a more extensive compilation titled, "Soulful Spell." When I saw Blue Magic in concert back in 1992, original members Vernon and Wendell Sawyer and Keith Beaton were present, and they were fronted by a gifted singer named Rod Wayne. Wayne's voice is different from that of original lead singer Ted Mills, but he hit the high notes with less strain. However, Mills was the group's leader and chief writer, and he also supplied the creative direction, so it was easy to feel something was missing. (It's kind of like seeing The Delfonics without William Hart, or The Chi-Lites without Eugene Record, both of which I've done.) The group's other original member, Richard Pratt, left the group after its first run of hit albums ended during the late 1970s. This album contains prime Philly soul, replete with achingly high tenor notes. Compared to groups it competed with, Blue Magic's flame burned out somewhat quickly. But their best work fits right in that upper echelon of sweet, sexy, sophisticated, satisfying soul music that grew up out of the Doo-Wop tradition.

Blue Magic's debut album, released in 1974, is still one of my favorite albums of all time. Only one song from that album is missing here, but then you'll get "I Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" and the full-length version of "Spell", both of which are absent from "Soulful Spell: The Best of Blue Magic". That other compilation sure has more tracks and covers a wider scope of their career, not to mention the in-depth liner notes telling the group's story. But the best of their music is on "Greatest Hits", which is the CD to get. Those two tracks do make a difference.

Blue Magic, yet another soulful, innovative, silky group from my youth. Oh heavens! Lead singer Teddy Mills and those high notes would send me to the moon and then bounce me over to Mars.

They don't make groups and songs like these anymore. Teddy Mills hold the note on "Spell and Chasing Rainbows," so long, I feel like I'm going to pass out...phew! There is not one dud on this CD, so it is perfect for the novice and more than acceptable for the die-hards.

Just like The Delfonics, Blue Magic are a part of my childhood, they are embedded in my blood and etched on my soul forever.

If you grew up in the 'hood during the mid 70s, you'll remember just about all of these legendary hits. "Sideshow" was a radio favorite and "Spell" is classic R&B balladeering at its best. Such memories and remembrances for me during the beginning of my life when I was beginning to appreciate the artistry in music. And if you are like me, this stuff will make you sigh and think back to childhood.

This is blue magic at it's best. Some of the best songs on this album never got much radio airplay. Look me up, Welcome to the club are classic disco hits. What's come over me and Sideshow are radio hits. Just don't want to be lonely is a hot sleeper.

I've been looking for records of Blue Magic since i was a kid, sadly its hard to find that in asia, i only knew how to sing their songs but dont know the title and where to buy it, thanks for this info about them, now i know whats the title and where to buy them, now i have cd's of them now that Im older, well at least I have them now!!! The contents are complete, again thanks for the wonderful info about the Blue magic!

I've been a Blue Magic fan for well over twenty-years. During the early 70's my girlfriends and I travelled the entire east coast to see "The Magic of the Blue." During rain, shine or winter blizzards, goupies in a positive sense, we were there. We knew when they were on and nights when there was obviosuly something missing. Their harmony combined with smooth dance steps defined one of the best R&B groups of the 70's. Listening to 'The Best of Blue Magic' brings a broad smile to my face. Great listening music on a rainy Friday night with candles & incence buring and your favorite cocktail. (And of course your significant other).

I purchased this album because I used to own this record on its vinyl version back in the seventies.
It brings lots of memories.
Many songs are still being played on the radio.
Best song of all: "I Just Don't Want to be Lonely".
Decided to buy this album again just because of this lovely song (its arrangements, rhythm, lyrics, instrumentation, etc.).
This song has also been recorded by other R&B bands, like "THE MAIN INGREDIENT". I've never known which of them is the composer of the song, but BLUE MAGIC's version is, by far, the best.
BLUE MAGIC's style is similar to STYLISTICS, but let me tell you STYLISTICS is even better than BLUE MAGIC.

Blue Magic is only my favorite group from the 70's, and this CD doesn't disappoint. Being a Teen-Ager in the 70's Ted Mills and company didn't get the press like the "Temps" or the "Tops", but they were just as good. With groups like the Moments, Dramatics,Dells, Ojay's, Harold Melvin, Isley's to name a few to me these guys get my vote. Spell is just that The first tenor of Ted Mills is spellbounding, along with Whats Come Over Me, and Tear It Down. These guys will live on in my memory of a time when we had much better music. They definatley have me under their power baby.

Just as groups such as The Delfonics, The Five Stairsteps and The Free Movement, Blue Magic was another minor group that found its way onto the airwaves and into our hearts, for awhile at least. While "Sideshow" and "Three Ring Circus" are the best of the bunch there isn't a bad cut on the album. Listen and relive the magic.