The Magic of the Blue
The Magic of the Blue is the second album by American soul group Blue Magic, produced by Norman Harris and Bobby Eli and released in 1974 on the Atco label.
History
The album was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia and features Sigma's famous house band MFSB. The Magic of the Blue received a similar favorable critical reception to its predecessor Blue Magic, although its lead single "Three Ring Circus" was regarded as an obvious attempt to produce "Sideshow" Part 2. The album peaked at #14 on the R&B chart and #71 on the pop chart. It was reissued by Rhino Records in 2006, but unlike the same company's Blue Magic reissue, did not include any bonus tracks.Personnel
;Blue Magic- Vernon Sawyer, Richard Pratt, Keith Beaton, Wendell Sawyer, Ted Mills
- Tony Bell, Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli, Norman Harris - guitar
- Cotton Kent, Ron Kersey, Ted Mills - piano
- Bob Babbitt, Ron Baker, Rusty Jackmon - bass guitar
- Charles Collins, John Nero, Earl Young - drums
- Larry Washington - congas
- Vincent Montana Jr. - vibraphone
- T. Life - harmonica solo on "Three Ring Circus"
- Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns - strings & horns accompaniment
- Ted Mills - sound effects on "Looking for a Friend"
Production
- Norman Harris, Bobby Eli - producers, arrangement
- Alan Rubens, Steven Bernstein, Bruce Gable - executive producers
- Carl Paruolo, Joe Tarsia, Kenny Present, Don Murray, Jay Mark - recording engineers
- Ron Kersey, Vince Montana, Jack Faith, - arrangement
- Carl Helm, Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler, Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton, Carla Benson, Ted Mills, Wendall Sawyer, Darryl Grant - vocal arrangement