The year was 1977 - and this was the album that turned the Commodores into certifiable superstars in the crossover and commercial market. Not that they weren't popular before - they had a huge R&B following, consistently amazing albums, and some pop music success, but nothing like it was after this album was released. 1977 was the year that the group embarked upon a massive nationwide tour, and their audience grew and grew to monumental proportions. This album was flying off the shelves in the music stores. Three of the songs from it that would go on to be classics were responsible for that. Ad campaigns, movie and TV roles for the funk sextet from Alabama followed as a result.

1977...we had not yet lost Lionel Richie to the pop world, so we get some wonderful funk jams and ballads penned by him and his Commodore brothas in this self-titled album, their fifth. They had not yet compromised the sound that made them famous (that wasn't until 1978), so that's what makes this CD such a triumph. Opening with "Squeeze The Fruit" and closing out with the unlikely #1 R&B smash, "Easy" (I say unlikely because "Easy" might as well had been a country/western song), COMMODORES is a perfect example of just how versatile these guys were. It also includes "Brick House" (what more can be said about this Southern-fried funk smash that still moves the crowd today - except that too many people think that Lionel Richie sang lead...nope! It's the group's drummer/percussionist, Walter "Clyde" Orange on lead vocals, you know, the short guy with the glasses) and "Zoom"...you'll want to fly away too, because hearing this song takes you to another time and place...gorgeous!!! "Patch It Up" should have been a single on its own; it's a rumbling slice of funk that is written by group keyboardist Milan Williams, whom IMO, was the best lyricist in the group.

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. We had seen it the year before on the hit single "Just To Be Close To You" from HOT ON THE TRACKS (1976), and this is basically a continuation of that theme. Starting off with a mellow R&B groove, it then goes into a raunchy vamp, and then back to being mellow...and then the change comes at you again.

Check this CD out and you too will have to agree that the Commodores were one of the best funk bands of the 1970s...before Lionel had solo aspirations, and they were all into having a good time. Squeeze the fruit, give up the juice and enjoy!!! Owww!!

This album in 1977 launched the Commodores into superstardom. It features the guys at their best mixing slow jams with get on the floor grooves. Brick House, Easy and Zoom have become classics that only get better each time you hear them. These songs have stood the test of time. Also check out Heaven Knows, Funny Feelings and Funky Situations. They did not get a lot of airplay, but they show the Commodores diversity. This is a must have for any true Commodores fan.

This was the release by the Commodores in 1977 that launched them into superstardom. It features the guys at their best mixing classic slow jams with get on the floor party grooves. Easy, Zoom and Brick House sound as good today as they did in 1977. Also, check out Heaven Knows, Funny Feelings and Funky Situation. These songs did not get a lot of airplay, but they show the band's diversity and outstanding vocal arrangement. This is a must have for any true Commodores fan.

Yes,this is a funky album featuring two Top 10 hits,BRICK HOUSE and EASY. It was 1977 and disco was very much dominating the music world even with some white artists like The Bee Gees and K.C. & The Sunshine Band. Lionel Richie,the Commodores' staple member brings fans the nice,subtle piece EASY(for those who can't stand funk will like that track). BH really rocks,funkily. BH is a popular favorite amongst many infamous cover bands,whether their forte(s) is/are pop,rock or soul(those categories inarguably describe the style of Daryl Hall and John Oates). The Commodores put out four more albums following this one and Richie would then leave for a successful solo career(his first three solo releases were best-selling megahits). The Commodores carried on for a few years without Richie,possibly with a replacement for him. Fans of the Commodores are also fans of The Gap Band,Kool & The Gang,Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio and Chic.

I think this is one of the best albums that the commodores have done. The single that was released "EASY", seemed to be the record that shot them in to superstardom. Followed by "BRICK HOUSE". Their combination of funky rythums and the ballads of Lionel Richie always seemed to work. Another album that is not mentioned is "Midnight Magic". This is got to be another master piece by the commodores. Out of all the albums the they have done. In my opinion, these two albums seems to be their absolute best.