Search - Commodores :: Ultimate Collection

Lionel Richie & the Commodores - the Glory Years.

The Groove | Boston, MA | 10/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This hits collection is the reason why I'm able to forgive Lionel Richie for his sappy, airplay-friendly solo work. His musical roots with the Commodores cancel out later transgressions like "Truly," "Stuck on You," and, um, "Ballerina Girl." A few notes of this smokin' hits collection is all you need to remember that he used to belong to one of the best bands of the old school. There's the fierce funk of "Too Hot to Trot," the killer grove "Lady," and the genuine love song "Just to Be Close to You." Other sentimental favorites of mine are "Three Times a Lady" (which gives me fond memories of my childhood years) and the dynamite ballad "Still." These songs were accessible enough for the radio, but had enough edge to set themselves apart from the rest. The Motown label has spawned some of the most legendary and influential acts ever, and this hits collection shows that the Commodores was one of those groups."

Great, but not "The Ultimate."

John Candy | Silver Spring, MD | 05/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love The Commodores and this is one awesome collection of songs. They left the full album versions of "Sweet Love" (my favorite Commodores song) and "Zoom." But where is "Sail On?" Where is "Jesus is Love?" The were both huge hits for The Commodores and I can't consider this "Ultimate" with the absence of these songs. I have them on vinyl but, unfortunately, I don't have (and can't afford) a turntable right now. Still this is a good disc and I would consider it a must own."

Brick Houses

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 03/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is just so much in this industry these days to where a lot of artists in R&B seem to be more pop oriented, rather than having the feeling of traditional soul. That has been the case with acts like Beyonce', Usher and Mariah Carey. Nevertheless, there are some acts from the past that have absolutely delivered towards what the essence of traditional soul has been like from Motown back in the 70's, and The Commodores were absolutely no acception. Their essential mixture of Funk, R&B and Soul have been a absolute mainstay on the classics of R&B radio, and that feeling Lionel Richie and company have mixed together is all in one convient collection.



The Commodores Ultimate Collection is a fine mixture of the groups most recognized tracks from the 70's. The songs here are just simply the best the soul legends from Alabama had made all of their own. The songs here were remastered very well, and stay as definitive to what made them classics. The album includes tracks ranging from the essence of funk like Machine Gun and the classic party anthem Brick House, to contemporary ballads from Lionel and company that have withstood the test of time like Still, Easy, which was recently used for Levis Jeans, Just To Be Close To You, and Three Times A Lady. While the album does maintain being definitive, many die hard fans were just hoping for a bit more from this collection, but The Ultimate Collection does stand out well enough for newcomers to this legendary R&B group.



It is just sad that Lionel Richie and company of The Commodores haven't done anything new together since they departed back in the eary 80's. Nevertheless, the legacy of these songs is still alive and well. I absolutely love The Ultimate Collection by The Commodores, and you will love this album too just as easy as Sunday morning.



Album Cover: B+



Songs: B 1/2+



Price: A-



Remastering: A-



Overall: B+"