Album of the Day

When the members of Philadelphia acts The Toppicks and Shades of Love got reshuffled in 1972, the result was magic – Blue Magic. The new quintet signed with Atco Records for singles “Spell,” “Look Me Up,” “Stop to Start” and Top 10 signature song “Sideshow,” all of which would be included on the group’s eponymous 1974 debut. If Ted Mills’ gossamer falsetto was perfect for romantic ballads, producer Norman Harris and the MFSB studio band knew their way around uptempo material as well, and these nine originals include a couple of appealing pre-disco tracks. Arguably the band’s finest hour, the Gold-certified BLUE MAGIC is one of the defining albums of Philly soul.