Midnight Magic (album)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
Smash Hits	5/10[4]
New York Times	(favourable)[5]

The New York Times stated "the Commodores, too, have their disco‐dance numbers. But this group's principal appeal would seem to be its ability to come up with classy “makeout” music. The new “Midnight Magic,” which is moving up the album charts quickly, will disappoint no one in search of just that. And as usual, the Commodores’ ability to span a wide stylistic range and to avoid some of the more tired cliches of black vocal instrumental groups is extremely refreshing.[5]

Smash Hits called it, "solid professional funk, but still faceless and only moderately entertaining - mainly because of a distinct threadbareness in the melody department."[6]

Midnight Magic was Grammy nominated in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.[7]

A song called "Still" became the band's second U.S. #1 single. Another single was the #4 hit "Sail On".

• Lionel Richie – vocals, piano, keyboards, saxophone
• Thomas McClary – vocals, guitar
• Milan Williams – keyboards
• Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
• William King – trumpet
• Walter Orange – drums, vocals

• A cover version of "Sail On" by Tom Grant was a #16 country hit in 1979. Another cover version of "Sail On" by Destiny's Child that appeared on their eponymous debut album in 1998 and produced by Cory Rooney.