Blue Magic is an American R&B soul group that originated in Philadelphia in the late 1960s. Known for their smooth harmonies and romantic ballads, the group achieved considerable success during the 1970s. With their unique blend of soul, funk, and doo-wop, Blue Magic created a distinct sound that resonated with fans across the globe. One of the group's greatest accomplishments was the release of their greatest hits compilation album titled "Blue Magic Greatest Hits" in 1973. This album showcased their most popular and beloved songs, solidifying their status as one of the premier soul groups of their time. The album features timeless classics such as "Sideshow," "What's Come Over Me," and "Three Ring Circus," which became instant hits upon their release.

Blue Magic Greatest Hits

A dozen tracks from one of the greatest east coast harmony groups of the 70s! Blue Magic came onto the scene a bit later than some of their other hit making geographical neighbors – like The Stylistics or The Moments – but their sound was pure 70s harmony all the way, and the group had a wonderful talent for mellow ballads and more driving uptempo numbers. You'll get a bit of both on this set – all with classic Philly production by either Norman Harris or Bobby Eli. Titles include "Sideshow", "Spell", "What's Come Over Me", "Three Ring Circus", "Welcome To The Club", "Chasing Rainbows", "Summer Snow", and "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely". © 1996-2024, Dusty Groove, Inc.

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The album features timeless classics such as "Sideshow," "What's Come Over Me," and "Three Ring Circus," which became instant hits upon their release. These songs enchanted listeners with their heartfelt lyrics, silky-smooth vocals, and captivating melodies. Each track on the album showcases Blue Magic's exceptional musical talent and ability to create soulful masterpieces that withstand the test of time.

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The Magic of the Blue: Greatest Hits

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BLUE MAGIC Greatest Hits

Philadelphia remained ground zero for sweet-harmonizing vocal groups. Case in point: Blue Magic. Their lead vocalist Ted ‘Wizard’ Mills possessed a falsetto that rivaled that of Russell Thompkins, Jr. of The Stylistics. Like them, Blue Magic specialized in intimate romantic ballads. They had plenty of success doing it.

Mills was fronting a quintet called The Topics when he met Alan Rubens and Steve Bernstein. They financially backed a demo by the group at Philly’s Sigma Sound that was produced by guitarist Norman Harris, moonlighting from his regular gig with MFSB. A demo of Spell, penned by Mills, was good enough to issue on Atco in late ’72, though it came out under the flashier moniker of Blue Magic. It rose to #30 the following spring.

Then the braintrust canned everyone but Ted, bringing in a young group from Northwest Philly formerly called Shades of Love that consisted of tenors Keith Beaton and Vernon Sawyer, Vernon’s brother Wendell on baritone, and bass Richard Pratt to back him. The new lineup debuted on Blue Magic’s Atco encore, Look Me Up (written by Harris and Allan Felder), which went to #36 R&B. Near year’s end, Stop To Start proved their biggest seller yet, stopping at #14 R&B.

Bobby Eli and Vinnie Barrett (aka Gwen Woolfolk) were inspired to write Blue Magic’s only R&B chart-topper by visiting an antique museum featuring circus toys. They got to work on Sideshow, which took several months to complete. Harris loved it and asked to produce and arrange it on Blue Magic. With Harris and Eli on guitar, Ronnie Baker on bass, Earl Young manning the drums, and Ron Kersey on the 88s, Mills wrapped his heavenly high tenor around the lovely ballad at Sigma Sound and ended up with a #1 smash that June that went to #8 pop.

Eli and Barrett stayed under the big top when creating Blue Magic’s encore hit Three Ring Circus, again helmed by Harris at Sigma. It climbed to #5 R&B that autumn, again underscoring Mills’ entrancing balladry. The front man wrote Chasing Rainbows, his group’s top seller of ’75, while Eli and Barrett were behind Blue Magic’s ’76 hit Grateful. Before year’s end, the quintet shifted to the WMOT logo. Pratt left after their ‘81 album for Capitol, so a four-man lineup was responsible for Magic #, Blue Magic’s last hit for Mirage in ‘83. Mills is now magical on his own.

"Sideshow" remains one of Blue Magic's most recognizable and signature songs. With its hauntingly beautiful melody and emotionally charged lyrics, the song tells a story of heartbreak and longing. It became an instant hit and reached the top of the charts, cementing Blue Magic's place in the music industry. "What's Come Over Me" is another standout track on the album. This soulful duet features the legendary Margie Joseph and showcases the group's ability to create captivating collaborations. The song's smooth harmonies and passionate vocals captivate listeners and evoke a range of emotions, making it one of the highlights of the album. "Three Ring Circus" completes the trifecta of unforgettable tracks on the album. Its lively rhythm, catchy melody, and heartfelt lyrics make it an instant crowd-pleaser. The song perfectly captures Blue Magic's ability to blend soul and funk, creating a unique sound that resonates with fans of all backgrounds. Overall, "Blue Magic Greatest Hits" is a testament to the group's musical prowess and ability to create timeless soul music. It serves as a celebration of their greatest achievements and showcases their exceptional harmonies, emotive vocals, and captivating melodies. This album remains a beloved classic and a testament to Blue Magic's enduring legacy in the world of soul music..

Reviews for "Revisiting Blue Magic's Golden Age: Their Greatest Hits"

1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Blue Magic Greatest Hits." None of the songs stood out to me and there was no cohesive flow to the album. The vocals were lackluster, and the instrumentation felt dated. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations.

2. Emily - 1/5 stars - "Blue Magic Greatest Hits" was a complete letdown for me. The songs all sounded the same, lacking any uniqueness or variety. The lyrics were cliché and uninspiring, and I couldn't connect with the emotions they were trying to convey. I was hoping for more memorable tunes, but this album failed to impress.

3. Michelle - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Blue Magic Greatest Hits," but I found it to be quite underwhelming. The songs lacked depth and complexity, feeling rather formulaic and predictable. The vocal performance was mediocre at best, and I found myself losing interest halfway through the album. Overall, it just didn't leave a lasting impression on me.

4. Robert - 3/5 stars - While "Blue Magic Greatest Hits" had a few standout tracks, the majority of the album felt lackluster to me. The songs seemed to blend together and didn't offer anything new or innovative. The production quality was also subpar, making it hard to fully enjoy the listening experience. It's a decent collection of their hits, but it didn't leave a lasting impact on me.

The Evolution of Blue Magic's Greatest Hits: Chart-Toppers Through the Years