Commodores – Nightshift

So....It's 1985...Music in the '80's was drastically different from the '60's and 70's....The age of the Synthesizer was no longer a once and a while thing, it was now common place....Then there was the fact that Artists like "Michael Jackson", "Madonna", and of course "Prince", were dominating the airwaves and the world of Video (which was now also common place)....

Another artist that was also ruling the airwaves? "Mr. Lionel Richie"....You remember him....He was one of the reasons (and in some peoples mind, the MAIN reason) why "The Commodores" were successful in the '70's and early '80's....

So would "The Commodores" crumble because of this? Well, at first it seemed like it...

They had a modest HIT in "Painted Picture" in 1982, but "The Commodores 13" album fell on deaf ears....On top of that, the group lost another member in "Thomas McClary", who tried to pursue a Solo career....

Then something happened....

"Motown" obviously still believed in the Band, so the company introduced the group to proven Producer "Dennis Lambert"....Through those conversations, "Nightshift" was born....

The Band at this time still consisted of "Walter Orange", "Ronald LaPread", "Milan Williams" and "William King"....

Then something else happened...A new member joined the Band..."J.D. Nicholas"....This "United Kingdom" born Vocalist, had a profound love for "Soul & R&B" Music....He also worked with other artists, like "Ray Parker Jr.", "Cheryl Lynn", and was even with the Baddest "Disco" Band, "Heatwave" for one album ("Candles").....

The Record Company also hooked the Band up with Keyboardist, Composer, and Arranger "Peter Wolf"....I guess with everything that was happening with "The Commodores", the Band told "Motown", "We're in yours Hands!!!!!" (Can't prove it though)....

Anyway, getting ALLLL that out the way, I am going to highlight the songs according to importance....

That means we start with the FANTASTIC Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Title Track".....Written by "Walter", "Dennis Lambert" and "Franne Gold" (and Arranged By "Peter Wolf"), this VERY EMOTIONAL joint Melted the hearts of EVERYONE!!!!! Why? Because it was a tribute to two of the GREATEST Entertainers EVER, in "Marvin Gaye" and "Jackie Wilson"!!!!!

"Walter" starts by BELTING OUT, "Marvin", He Was A Friend Of Mine", and that's all it took!!!!!! The World was also introduced to "J.D.", who flawlessly gives his ode to "Jackie Wilson", as if he known him personally....This was the joint that made fans come back to the group!!!!!!

The second single, "Animal Instinct" (the 2nd Crown Jewel Written by "Martin Page" and again Arranged by "Wolf"), wasn't as successful as the "Title Track", but the song and Video was played, CONSTANTLY!!!!!! It had "Walter" sounding ever more comfortable on a straight '80's track....

"I Keep Running" ("William and Shirley King" and "Harold Hudson"), found "J.D." leading on a Mid Tempo track....Obviously "The Kings" and "Hudson" had confidence in "J.D.'s" ability to wrap his Smooth Vocals to this 3rd Crown Jewel....

"Milan Williams" (along with "Dennis Lambert", "Franne Gold", "Martin Page" and "Wolf"), must have had the same confidence in "J.D.", because they served up for him the 4th Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Lay Back"......What I love about this one is, that they didn't expect "J.D." to take the place of "Lionel Richie"....They crafted this VERY Smooth joint around "J.D." in "J.D." fashion, letting him PURELY be himself!!!!!

"The Woman In My Life", the 5th Crown Jewel, has "Walter" really feeling better about doing Ballads...Remember, usually, that was "Lionel's' job, but with him now gone, "Walter" was the MAN, and he DELIVERED!!!!!

Now the last Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Janet".....

THIS IS THE BOMB!!!!!!

This has "Walter" on a VERY INFECTIOUS Melody!!!!!! That Bassline (I'm sure courtesy of "Ronald LaPread"), on top of the Keyboards just takes me AWAY!!!!!!! I really didn't understand (at first) why I LOVED this song so much....Then I found out that "Bobby Caldwell" (along with "Franne Gold" and "Paul Fox") wrote the joint!!!!! You know...."Bobby Caldwell", "Mr. Blue Eyed Soul" himself, who gave us the MASSIVE CLASSIC JOINT, "What You Won't Do (You Do For Love)"....NOW IT MAKES SENSE TO ME!!!!!

Unfortunately, the rest of the album was filler...That's OK though, the songs mentioned earlier was good enough to keep "The Commodores" in the public eye....

Crazy though, as successful as this album was, it would be the very last one for "Motown".....Also shortly after this, longtime member "Ronald LaPread", left the group as well.....I personally don't know what happened, but even though the Band was able to carry on, it would never be the same!!!!!!!!!!!

this album is a masterpiece of Music ever. Great stereo sounds.

This is an OK album and and a solid pressing. However what I do not understand is that it says on the back cover "mixed in digital" whereas the 1989 CD release features the AAD logo on it. That is a contradicition, isn't it ? Besides it does sound like a digital recording. It sounds a bit too clean and too precise and does not have that analogue airiness. [ Playing this using an Ortofon 2M Black cartridge ]