Commodores is the fifth studio album by the Commodores, released in 1977. The album spent eight weeks at the top of the R&B/soul albums chart, the second of their albums to do so, and was their first Top 5 pop album. There is also a previously released extended version. The original vinyl release included a large fold out poster of the band. The poster is visible in a scene of the 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever.

The band employed a variety of musical styles for the album, highlighted by the popular anthem "Brick House". With Walter Orange's deep voice on the lead, and Ronald LaPread's bassline, this track peaked on the U.S. Hot 100 at #5, and the U.S. R&B Chart at #4. "Brick House" means a "stacked" woman with an hour-glass figure.

In contrast to "Brick House", "Easy" is a pop ballad with mellow vocals by Lionel Richie.

"Zoom" is one of the Commodores' best known tunes, despite not being released as a single in the US. It reached #38 on the UK singles chart. Fergie sampled "Zoom" in her song "All That I Got (The Make-Up Song)" on the album The Dutchess.

In the UK and other Western European countries this album was released as Zoom on Tamla Motown.

The album was dedicated to Kathy Faye LaPread, bass guitarist Ronald LaPread's wife, who died from cancer around that time.The Story Behind the Song: "Zoom" by the Commodores SoulTracks

Track listing

Personnel

Commodores Lionel Richie – vocals, saxophones, keyboards Milan Williams – keyboards Thomas McClary – vocals, lead guitar Ronald LaPread – vocals, bass Walter Orange – vocals, drums, percussion William King – vocals, percussion, trumpet

Additional musicians Cal Harris – synthesizers Darrell Jones – rhythm guitar

Production Commodores – producers, arrangements James Anthony Carmichael – producer, arrangements Cal Harris – engineer, mixing Jane Clark – engineer Jack Andrews – mastering Carl Overr – graphics director Stan Martin – design Tom Nikosey – illustration Gene Gurley – photography Benjamin Ashburn – album coordinator, manager

Charts Year Chart positions US USR&B Aus 1977 3 1 62

Singles Year Single Chart positions US USR&B USDance1977 "Brick House" 5 4 34 "Easy" 4 1 —

See also List of number-one R&B albums of 1977 (U.S.)

References