Commodores – Natural High

Album Revolution #4:

Ever since 1974, "The Commodores" were steadily becoming a FORCE in the World of Music....By 1977, they walked through the door of Super Stardom, being accompanied, and being in the same breath of such groups like, "Earth, Wind & Fire", "Parliament Funkadelic" and "The Isley Brothers"....Just like those groups, "The Commodores" also became sort of more of a Corporation than a Band (even acquiring the services of a side Band called "The Mean Machine")....

Even so, the group were still able to Produce GREAT Music, which brings us to "Natural High"....

I know that I keep talking about this PUSH and PULL situation with the group, and I promise I will get to the point.....

This album still had a GREAT mix of FUNKY joints and those Smooth joints the group was starting to be recognized for....

The album starts on the FUNK note though, with "Fire Girl"....Written by "William King" and "Mean Machine" Members, "Darrell "DJ" Jones" and "David Cochrane", it is a VERY strong 1st Crown Jewel, with "Walter Orange" providing that GREAT performance that we have come accustomed to....It does have a resemblance to the FUNK Produced by groups like "Con-Funk-Shun", "The Gap Band" and "The Ohio Players".....

"X-Rated Movie" (Written by "Milan Williams"), has "Lionel" delivering some SERIOUS FUNK Vocals.....I guess the description of the "X Rated Movie" about a Lady you Love is kind of outlandish to say the least.....

"Flying High" is one of my "ABSOLUTE FAVORITES on the album....It is a straight benefit of that "Lionel Richie" and "Thomas McClary" collaboration.....The FUNK Melody, with the Bass, Guitars, and the MASSIVE Horns (along with "Lionel's" Vocals), brings the kind of joint that you can't help but to GET DOWN to!!!!!

Now, the song that started the PUSH and PULL situation, "Three Times A Lady".....

That ONE "Lionel Richie" song of the album, was NOTHING like the group ever recorded!!!!! It is a very POP orientate song, complete with an Extravaganza of Orchestrations, while "Lionel" sings his BUTT off behind his Piano (with nice Background Vocals by the group).....The group was already in the POP World, but this song became their FIRST MASSIVE #1 HIT!!!!!! It was played EVERWHERE (Including at Weddings!!!)!!!!!

"Such A Woman" ("Walter Orange"), brings us back to FUNKY "Commodores"....The Funk laced Groove with the MASSIVE Horns made the FUNKSTERS say, "They Still Got IT"!!!!!!

"Say Yeah" is another FAVORITE of mine....This time Written by "Lionel" and "Ronald LaPread", this was one of the BEST Slow JAMS since "Just To Be Close To You".....I know you guys are probably saying "WHAT"?!?!?!? "What about "Easy" and "Three Times A Lady"?!?!?!? Yeah, I get it, but I am talking about a Slow Jam with a WHOLE LOT OF SOUL!!!!!!, especially how "Lionel" lays it OUT Vocally!!!!!

"I Like What You Do" ("Lionel" & "Walter"), is another Blistering FUNK joint, having "Lionel" again, gracing us with the FUNK Vocals!!!! Again, the delivery of the Bass, Guitars, Drums, and Horns kept the FUNKSTERS happy!!!!!

The last joint in "Visions", benefits again from the "Richie", "McClary" collaboration....It is a thought provoking joint, that shows just how DEEP the group can get....

Overall, some Folks thought this album was kind of uneven, especially having "Three Times A Lady" on it.....I beg to differ....I believe that this is an Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel album....

But see, now this is where the PUSH and PULL came in....

A group like "The Commodores" (even with having POP success), was not supposed to have a song like "Three Times A Lady".....Some of the "R&B" crowd kind of scoffed at it....And even though the group appreciated the success of the song and album, I believe that some of the members was starting to feel that way as well (even though I can't prove it)....Well, what it did do was made the public stop calling "Lionel", "Commodore", and started calling him "Lionel"....I know that may sound strange, but that was how the group operated.....

Never the less, "The Commodores" stock continued to RISE, even with the PUSH and PULL situation!!!!!!!!