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Midnight Magic is the seventh studio album by the musical group the Commodores, released in 1979.[2] The album was certified Gold in the UK by the BPI.[3]

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Midnight Magic
Studio album by Commodores
Released	27 July 1979 [1]
Recorded	1979
Studio	Motown Recording Studios, Los Angeles; A&M Studios, Los Angeles
Genre	Pop, Adult Contemporary, disco, dance, contemporary R&B, funk
Length	38:57
Label	Motown
Producer	James Anthony Carmichael, Commodores
Commodores chronology
Greatest Hits (1978) Midnight Magic (1979) Heroes (1980)

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[4]
Smash Hits	5/10[5]
New York Times	(favourable)[6]

The New York Times stated "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.[6]

Smash Hits called it, "solid professional funk, but still faceless and only moderately entertaining - mainly because of a distinct threadbareness in the melody department."[7]

Midnight Magic was Grammy nominated in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.[8]

Singles

A song called "Still" became the band's second U.S. #1 single. Another single was the #4 hit "Sail On".

Track listing

Personnel

Commodores

• Lionel Richie – vocals, acoustic piano, keyboards, saxophones
• Milan Williams – keyboards
• Thomas McClary – vocals, guitars
• Ronald LaPread – bass
• Walter Orange – vocals, drums
• William King – trumpet

Additional musicians

• Harold Hudson – horn and string arrangements (1, 3, 6)
• James Anthony Carmichael – horn and string arrangements (2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)

The Mean Machine

• David Cochrane
• Harold Hudson
• Darrell Jones
• Winston Sims

Production

• Commodores – producers, arrangements
• James Anthony Carmichael – producer, arrangements
• Calvin Harris – engineer, mixing
• Jane Clark – engineer, mixing
• Bernie Grundman – mastering
• John Cabalka – art direction
• Ginny Livingston – design
• Gene Gurley – photography
• Suzee Ikeda – product manager
• Benjamin Ashburn – management

Charts

Singles

Single	Chart	Position
"Sail On"	Belgium (VRT Top 30)	14
	Canada (RPM)	3
	Ireland Singles Chart	8
	Netherlands Singles Top 100	8
	Official New Zealand Music Chart	6
	UK Singles Chart	8
	U.S.Billboard Hot 100	4
	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	9
	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles	8
"Still"	Canada (RPM)	2
	Ireland Singles Chart	3
	Netherlands Singles Top 100	16
	Official New Zealand Music Chart	13
	UK Singles Chart	4
	U.S.Billboard Hot 100	1
	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	6
	U.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	43
	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles	21

Sales and certifications

Certifications for Midnight Magic

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Netherlands (NVPI)[14]	Gold	50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[15]	Gold	100,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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