The Magic of the Blue

Updated on Nov 09, 2023

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Released December 1974 Artist Blue Magic Label Atco Records Producers Norman Harris, Bobby Eli		Length 43:17 Release date December 1974 Genre Philadelphia soul

Recorded 1974, Sigma Sound Studios (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) The Magic of the Blue (1974) Thirteen Blue Magic Lane (1975) Similar Blue Magic albums, Other albums

The Magic of the Blue is the second album by American soul group Blue Magic, produced by Norman Harris and Bobby Eli and released in 1974 on the Atco label.

History

The album was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia and features Sigma's famous house band MFSB. The Magic of the Blue received a similar favorable critical reception to its predecessor Blue Magic, although its lead single "Three Ring Circus" was regarded as an obvious attempt to produce "Sideshow" Part 2. The album peaked at #14 on the R&B chart and #71 on the pop chart. It was reissued by Rhino Records in 2006, but unlike the same company's Blue Magic reissue, did not include any bonus tracks.

Personnel

Blue Magic

Vernon Sawyer, Richard Pratt, Keith Beaton, Wendell Sawyer, Ted Mills

Musicians

Bobby Eli, Roland Chambers, Norman Harris, Tony Bell – guitars

Ted Mills, Ron Kersey, Cotton Kent – pianos

Rusty Jackmon, Ron Baker, Bob Babbitt – bass

Earl Young, Charles Collins, John Nero – drums

Larry Washington – congas

Vince Montana – vibraphone

T. Life – harmonica solo on "Three Ring Circus"

Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns – strings & horns accompaniment

Ted Mills – sound effects on "Looking for a Friend"

Production

Norman Harris, Bobby Eli – producers, arrangement

Alan Rubens, Steven Bernstein, Bruce Gable – executive producers

Carl Paruolo, Joe Tarsia, Kenny Present, Don Murray, Jay Mark – recording engineers

Ron Kersey, Vince Montana, Jack Faith, – arrangement

Carl Helm, Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler, Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton, Carla Benson, Ted Mills, Wendall Sawyer, Darryl Grant & dash; vocal arrangement

Charts

Singles

Songs

1Three Ring Circus5:12
2Stringin Me Along3:29
3You Won't Have to Tell Me Goodbye4:26

References

The Magic of the Blue Wikipedia

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