Deep Groove Encyclopedia

Blue Magic

Click below for a Blue Magic sample:

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The prototypical Philly vocal group, Blue Magic seemed stuck behind the Spinners, O'Jays and even the Trammps when it came to popularity contests. They were most successful on slow drags like "Sideshow," a surprise #1 hit in 1974. But their albumes frequently contained killer tracks that should have been released on extended 45s. Hunt down the LPs for undercover classics like "Never Gonna Get Over You," "Welcome to the Club" and "Freak N Stein," most featuring the smooth vocal tone of Ted Mills.

After weathering a down period, the group made a comeback with From Out of the Blue in 1989, whose "Romeo and Juliet" hit the top 20.

Blue Magic's Deepest Grooves

Blue Magic (Atco, 1973)

Magic of the Blue (Atco, 1974)
Prime Philly soul. Excellent arrangements from Vince Montana, Ron Kersey, Jack Faith, Bobby Eli and Norman Harris sustain peak after peak: "Never Gonna Get Over You," "Love Has Found Its Way To Me," "Three Ring Circus," the list goes on. Classic work.

13 Blue Magic Lane (Atco, 1975)
Margie Joseph does a duet on "What's Come Over Me." Also has their version of the disco chestnut "We're On the Right Track," recorded about 4 time

Mystic Dragons (Atco, 1976)

Message (Atco, 1978)

From Out of the Blue (Columbia, 1989)

Soulful Spell - Best of (Rhino, 1996)
20 track collection provides the most comprehensive assessment of their career, proving they deserve to be ranked among the best Philly groups of the era.

Best of Blue Magic (Omni, 1990s)
Another compilation, this one on the small Omni label and featuring a remix of "Look Me Up."