Track Listing 1. It Must Be Magic 2. Revolution 3. Where's California 4. 365 5. Opus III (Does Anybody Care) 6. Square Biz 7. Ballad of Cradle Rob & Me, The 8. Portuguese Love 9. Yes Indeed 10. Square Biz - (TRUE instrumental, 12-inch B-side) 11. Someday We'll All Be Free - (previously unreleased) 12. Deja Vu (I've Been Here Before) - (previously unreleased)
| Details | | Contributing Artists: | Bill Wolfer, Gerald Albright, Patrice Rushen, Rick James, The Temptations | | Producer: | Harry Weinger | | Distributor: | Universal Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes Personnel: Teena Marie (vocals, arranger, Oberheim synthesizer); Josef Andre Parson, Tom McDermott (guitar); Gerald Albright (flute, saxophone); John C. Ervin (flute, trombone); Danielle LeMelle (saxophone); Eric Butler, Roy L. Poper, Kenneth Scott, Cliff J. Ervin (trumpet); James S. Stewart, Jr., Patrice Rushen, Scott Markus De Turk (keyboards); Allen McGrier (synthesizer, bass); Bill Wolfer (synthesizer); Oscar Alston, Charles A. Glenn, Jr. (bass); Paul Hines, Christopher Anthony Boehme (drums); Rick James, The Temptations, Mickey Boyce-Hearn, Arnell Carmichael, Maxine Waters-Willard, Julia Waters-Tillman, Pattie Brooks, Dwayne Wedlan, Jill D. Jones, Jackie Ruffin, Ray Townsend, Grayland Taylor, Ginny Pallante, Diedra Joseph (background vocals). Principally recorded at Motown, Hollywood, California and Wonderland Studios, Los Angeles, California. Originally released on Gordy (G8-1004M1). Includes liner notes by A. Scott Galloway. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Motown Records "Classic Albums" mseries. Former protégé of Superfreak funk maestro Rick James, Mary Christine Brockert, the R&B powerhouse better known as Teena Marie, blossomed into her element on early albums for the Gordy/Motown label. The singer's fourth and final album for Motown, IT MUST BE MAGIC--her second fully self-written, self-produced effort--oversaw Marie's true creative emancipation. In an inspired set taking in smoldering ballads, introspective singer-songwriter-style material, and vibrant dance floor numbers, her versatility is evident throughout. From the jubilant horns and proto-rap-style delivery of "Square Biz" to the thoughtful and poignant tribute to gunned-down Beatle John Lennon ("Revolution"), the entirety of the album is infused with the singer's forceful, robust vocals and imaginative arrangements. Among the highlights in the career of one of R&B's most independent-minded and original talents, IT MUST BE MAGIC was the breakout work that proved Teena Marie could hold her own in the pantheon of soul music's greats.
Editorial Reviews 5 stars out of 5 - ...On this absolute jewel of a record, Teena Marie redefined the boundaries of female pop... Uncut (09/01/2003)
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