The Very Best of The Commodores cover

The Very Best of The Commodores

Commodores · 1995

75 min · 20 tracks · funk

A smooth blend of funk, soul, and pop that captures the essence of 1970s and 1980s American music.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Easy Start here — This ballad features smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics about love and longing, representing the group's softer side while remaining one of their most recognizable tracks.
  • →
    Brick House — An upbeat anthem celebrating confidence and empowerment, this track exemplifies the Commodores' funk roots and has become a timeless party favorite.
  • →
    Nightshift — Written as a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, this song showcases the group's ability to blend emotional storytelling with a catchy melody, marking their shift towards a more mature sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

This compilation captures the essence of the Commodores' hits but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks, such as 'Easy' and 'Three Times a Lady', highlight smooth vocal harmonies and melodic hooks typical of their style.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady melodic journey throughout
  • for nostalgic gatherings
  • easy-going vibes for relaxation
  • inviting sing-along moments
  • soulful tracks for heartwarming reflection

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking high-energy instant hits
  • prefer shorter standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Starting Point — A comprehensive hits collection ideal for new listeners to explore the Commodores.
Career context
By 1995, the Commodores were well-established veterans in the music scene, with a career spanning over two decades. This compilation served as a retrospective of their most significant hits, following their late 1970s peak with songs like 'Easy' and 'Brick House'. The album came at a time when the group was transitioning from their earlier funk roots to incorporating more adult contemporary sounds.

Tracklist

  • 1 Easy Start here 4:22
  • 2 Three Times a Lady 3:38
  • 3 Nightshift 4:24
  • 4 Brick House 3:35
  • 5 Machine Gun 2:42
  • 6 Zoom 4:22
  • 7 Old-Fashioned Love 3:25
  • 8 Sail On 3:58
  • 9 Lady (You Bring Me Up) 4:04
  • 10 Oh No 3:03
  • 11 Too Hot Ta Trot 3:33
  • 12 The Zoo (The Human Zoo) 3:08
  • 13 Still 3:46
  • 14 Sweet Love 3:29
  • 15 Janet 3:43
  • 16 Flying High 3:55
  • 17 Only You 4:29
  • 18 Animal Instinct 4:06
  • 19 Just to Be Close to You 3:23
  • 20 Wonderland 3:48

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata