Teena Marie - It Must Be Magic

Today (May 14th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of It Must Be Magic, the fourth studio album and final one on the Motown label for Teena Marie. This 1981 release spent twenty-five weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 23. It also went all the way to number 2 on the US Billboard R&B Album chart. Besides vocals and keyboards, she also produced this record and wrote most of the tracks too.

Rick James - Street Songs (35th anniversary)

Today (April 7th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Street Songs, the fifth studio album from Rick James. This 1981 release was certified Platinum in the US, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Album charts (with an impressive seventy-four weeks total on the chart) and number 1 on the R&B Album charts.

For my full review of this album, click here.

And for more from Rick James, click here.

Rick James - Glow

Today (May 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Glow, the eighth studio album from Rick James. This one went to number 50 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a total chart run of twenty-six weeks) and number 1 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Mary Jane Girls - Only Four You

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Only Four You, the second and final studio album from the Mary Jane Girls. It was released just ten months after their self-titled debut (click here for that review) and was even stronger on the chart. It hit number 67 in Canada, number 28 in New Zealand, number 18 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a total run of thirty-eight weeks) and number 5 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Rick James - Reflections

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday… sort of.

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Reflections, the first greatest hits compilation album from Rick James. This 1984 release spent eighteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 41. It also went to number 10 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Teena Marie - Wild and Peaceful (35th anniversary)

Today (March 31st) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Wild and Peaceful, the debut album from Teena Marie. I was a fan of her music from the mid-80's and only a few years ago, after her untimely death, fully explored her back catalog.

Click here for my full review of this album.

Rick James - Bustin’ Out of L Seven

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

This month (January 26th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Bustin’ Out of L Seven, the second studio album from Rick James. The album went Platinum and charted at number 16 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 2 on the US Billboard R&B chart in 1979.

Rick James - Cold Blooded

Yesterday (August 5th) marked the thirtieth anniversary of Cold Blooded, the seventh studio album from funk master and Buffalo-native Rick James. This record charted at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 1 on the US Billboard R&B chart

Mary Jane Girls - Mary Jane Girls

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the self-titled debut album from the Mary Jane Girls. The project came together when Rick James wanted to get his former background singer Joanne “Jo Jo” McDuffie a recording contract with Motown. The label wanted a girl group project, so James concocted the Mary Jane Girls.

Rick James - Come Get It!

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

Today (April 20th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Come Get It!, the debut album from Rick James and the Stone City Band. This Platinum seller from 1978 reached number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 3 on the US Billboard R&B charts.

Chaka Khan - Chaka Khan

Today (November 17th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Chaka Khan, the fourth solo studio album from the American R&B/soul singer. It charted at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 5 on the Billboard R&B charts.

Rick James - Throwin' Down

To follow up his hugely successful album Street Songs (click here for that review), Motown records released Rick James’ sixth studio album Throwin’ Down on March 13th, 1982 - thirty years ago from today.

The album peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 2 on the R&B charts, generating a Gold sales certification. In the UK, the album only got as high as number 93 on the charts.

Teena Marie - Wild and Peaceful

Today (March 5th) would have been the fifty-sixth birthday of American singer-songwriter and producer Teena Marie. She passed away on December 26th, 2010.

At age twenty, the California born singer was introduced to a producer working for Motown where she recorded some demos. Rick James who was also with Motown was impressed by her sound and decided to co-produce her debut (along with Art Stewart). Teena’s debut album Wild and Peaceful was released on that famed record label on March 31st, 1979. It did fairly well, going to number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 18 on the US R&B charts.

Rick James - Street Songs

On April 7th of 1981, Buffalo, NY, native Rick James released his fifth studio album. Street Songs was certified Platinum in the US, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Album charts and number 1 on the R&B Album charts. Three singles were released from the record, all of which went to number 1 on the US Dance Singles chart.