Nightshift is the 11th studio album by the Commodores, released by Motown Records on January 15, 1985. This album was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

Background

Nightshift is the Commodores' second studio album without Lionel Richie, who left the band in 1982, and their last studio album with their original bass guitarist Ronald LaPread. Their previous album Commodores 13 (1983) had featured interim lead vocalist Harold Hudson of Mean Machine. For Nightshift the Commodores permanently replaced Richie with British-born J.D. Nicholas, formerly of Heatwave. Dennis Lambert was chosen as producer, the Commodores hoping to find the same magic created by producer/arranger James Anthony Carmichael, with whom they had worked since 1974 and who was a major impetus in their earlier success. Other musicians that play on the album include: Peter Wolf, Paul Fox, John Robinson, Neil Stubenhaus, Jeff Lorber, Peter Maunu, Harold Hudson, Dennis Lambert, Paulinho da Costa, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Gary Herbig and Larry Williams.

Critical reception

With a 4 out of 5 stars rating, Paul Sexton of Record Mirror described the album as "a really remarkable renaissance." Liam Lacey of the Globe and Mail said "The Commodores' latest holds up impressively throughout, and the presence of new lead vocalist J. D. Nicholas is a welcome, if not startling, change."

Chart performance

The album remained in the top of the US Billboard Top R&B Albums charts in the US for a month. Nightshift also peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Singles

The biggest song was its title track, "Nightshift". Written by Walter Orange, Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde, "Nightshift" was the band's biggest post–Lionel Richie hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B Songs. Paying tribute to the late soul singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, who both died in 1984, "Nightshift" also earned the group its only Grammy. Two other singles, coming off the album, were later released. "Animal Instinct", with Orange on lead vocals, reached No. 23 on the R&B charts, and No. 43 on the pop charts. Another single, "Janet", barely made Billboard's Top 100 and never appeared on Billboard's Hot R&B Songs chart. However, Janet peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs charts.

Track listing

Personnel

Commodores Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Certifications