The Commodores Albums Ranked

Commodores is an American funk and soul band, which was at its peak in the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. The members of the group met as mostly freshmen at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in 1968, and signed with Motown in November 1972, having first caught the public eye opening for the Jackson 5 while on tour. The group’s most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie was the co-lead singer. The band’s biggest hit singles are ballads such as “Easy”, “Three Times a Lady”, and “Nightshift”; and funky dance hits which include “Brick House”, “Fancy Dancer”, “Lady (You Bring Me Up)”, and “Too Hot ta Trot”. The Commodores were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The band has also won one Grammy Award out of nine nominations. As well the Commodores have sold over 70 million albums worldwide. Here are all of The Commodores albums ranked.

Don’t miss out on the music of The Commodores! Click to enjoy songs from the band were Lionel Richie came from!

10. Commodores Live! (1977)

“The album kicks off with a fantastic high-energy version of “Won’t You Come Dance With Me”, and that sets the tone for everything you hear afterwards. You can hear and feel the excitement the Commodores were giving out, and the love the crowd was giving right back to them. I especially loved the live versions of the funk/jazz groove of “Funny Feelings” and the hit “Just To Be Close To You”…at the end Lionel Richie and Clyde Orange do some gorgeous doo-wop harmony! It has to be heard to be believed, their voices sound so good together!”

9. In The Pocket (1981)

“IN THE POCKET was Lionel Richie’s last album with the Commodores. By the time he exited the band in late 1982, they had gone from being hard-core R&B funksters to masters of the pop power ballad, due to the overwhelming influence of Richie. This album is miles away from previous offerings like CAUGHT IN THE ACT, MOVIN’ ON, HOT ON THE TRACKS and the group’s self-titled LP that contained smoldering funk and deep, infectious grooves, so don’t expect to find much of that here.”

8. Midnight Magic (1979)

“One of the things that have become common by this time is that the Commodores has a theme of finishing the first side of their albums with what has become their signature ballads, starting with the Movin’ On album (“Sweet Love”). The trend continues with “Still” closing side one here. “Still” and “Sail On” lead the way in radio play when Midnight Magic was released and said singles were penned by Lionel Richie. The title track was an ok attempt at an uptempo jam, but far from noteworthy. One of the true standouts was the inviting and melodic “Wonderland”, which should be featured in more greatest hits compilations, as well as “You’re Special” and “Lovin You”.

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7. Nightshift (1985)

“This is a classic, “NightShift”, it has to get 5 stars……Homage to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, two of the shakers at Motown in the beginning. I can remember when both were alive and filling our hearts and minds with soul. It brings up joy and tears as we remember the power and presence of Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, and Jackie Wilson taken away from us way to soon. The Commodores do it well and keep us remembering the greats of the early years of Motown.”

6. Natural High (1978)

“This 1978 album was for me the Commodores at their peak,with another perfect blend of their funky hard sound and superlative ballads. There wasn’t an hour that went by when you didn’t hear “Three Times A Lady” on the radio once it was released as a single, but the only way to hear it is the wonderful full album version – just superb. The crowning moment on the whole album though is saved for last with the magnificent “Visions”,the counter-part vocal arrangement and the very tastefully written strings at the coda bringing the entire set to a perfect end.”

5. Hot On The Tracks (1976)

“HOT ON THE TRACKS placed the Commodores on the brink of superstardom (they completely blew up a year later, in ’77 when they became a crossover act) and this is one of their very best albums. With funk, soul and rock mixed together, it is a purchase worthy of your collection…this classic group in tact, and in their prime.Get it and get funky!”

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4. Caught In The Act (1975)

“CAUGHT IN THE ACT is the Commodores at their very best, and definitely a MUST HAVE…they were one of the greatest funk bands EVER! It makes me a little sad to know what happened once they crossed over, because music like this was proof of just how powerful an aggregation they were. You’ll want to play CAUGHT IN THE ACT over and over, because it’s like you hear something new each time you listen. Sometimes it reminds you of an Ohio Players album, then an Earth, Wind and Fire LP, even some Sly and the Family Stone thrown in there – yet it is still uniquely the sound of the Commodores. Like MACHINE GUN before it, a killer horn section, a thumping bass, intricate drum patterns and multiple synthesizers dominate the sounds on this album.”

3. Commodores (1977)

“I love all the songs on the album. There are several that should have received more attention, like “Won’t You Come Dance With Me”, “Funky Situation” and especially the R&B/funk ballads “Funny Feelings” and “Heaven Knows”. Although I enjoy “Funny Feelings”, it does tend to lumber along just a little bit. The version of that song from the guys’ incredible live album released later that year is much better and absolutely a MUST HAVE! “Heaven Knows” shows the growing potential of Lionel as a romantic composer, even though at this point he had not opted to go the sweet, syrupy route with his lyrics and production. 

2. Machine Gun (1974)

“MACHINE GUN was the group’s second album on Motown (their first one was recorded in ’72 but never released), and signaled that this group was an important force to be reckoned with. Featuring the amazing keyboard wizardry of Milan Williams, this album kicks off with the title cut and grabs you from start to finish! The three lead vocalists’ voices (that’s right, not just Lionel’s) are wonderfully soulful and earthy, especially drummer Walter “Clyde” Orange’s voice!! That brotha, all 5’4″ of him, is SOUL PERSONIFIED!! Lionel did go on to become the most famous of all the Commodores, but Clyde was the FUNKIEST by far.”

1. Movin’ On (1975)

“”Hold On”,the shuffling “Free”,”Mary Mary”,”(Can I) Get A Witness” and “Gimme My Mule” are all squarely in the chunky bass/ guitar/Clavinet heavy uptempo funk that the band had already made their trademark sound at this particular point. “Sweet Love” is an interesting ballad as it bridges the soul oriented style of their earlier slow songs with the more pop flavored ones of their later years-this one with a jazzier twist about it. “Time” is a very melodic uptempo groove that has more of a Caribbean soul flavor with it’s high pitched synthesizers trade offs leading the way. “Cebu” ends the album with a spacey,reverbed psychedelic type funk instruments with a great reverbed bass line.”