Xampled: the Commodores

The members of the Commodores came together as a result of two groups disbanding: the Mystics and the Jays. Initially formed to simply play music as a pastime and to meet girls, the lineup consisted of William King (trumpet), Thomas McClary (guitar), Ronald LaPread (bass), Walter "Clyde" Orange (drums), Lionel Richie (saxophone), and Milan Williams (keyboards). The Commodores association with Motown was a result of the group touring with the Jackson 5. Their first release on Motown was the up-tempo instrumental dance cut "Machine Gun." That number was followed by the Top 20 single "I Feel Sanctified," which lead to their third single and first number one record in "Slippery When Wet."

In September of 1976, they released "Just to Be Close to You," their second number one single. The Top Ten hit "Fancy Dancer" followed, and then came "Easy." Different from their other tunes, "Easy" was very serene and not nearly as soulful or funky as the band's other tunes. Nonetheless, it claimed the number one spot on the charts, and it paved the way for the style of ballads the group would later be known for. However, soul and funk was still very much present in spite of the benevolent rhythms of "Easy." This was demonstrated with the release of what would become the group's anthem, "Brickhouse." Two consecutive number one singles would follow: the dance cut "Too Hot ta Trot" and the placid number "Three Times a Lady." And then there was "Still." The last number one for the group with Richie as a member.

In 1981, Richie recorded "Endless Love" with Diana Ross. The success of the single was a prelude to the success Richie would relish upon his exit from the group, which occurred in 1982. In the absence of Richie, the group courted the talents of tenor J.D. Nicholas (formerly of Heatwave) and would go on to release its biggest hit: "Nightshift" (1985). Penned by Clyde Orange, the song pays to tribute to the late soul singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson.

"Machine Gun"

Beastie Boys: Hey Ladies

Professor Griff: Pass the Ammo

"Assembly Line" (Drums)

3rd Bass: Wordz of Wisdom

Boogie Down Productions: House N----s

Chemical Brothers: Chemical Beats

Eric B & Rakim: Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em

Guy: Her

Jungle Brothers: Black Woman

King Sun: Universal Flag

Kool G Rap: It's a Demo

OutKast ft Erykah Badu: Humble Mumble

Public Enemy: Raise the Roof

Real Roxanne: Respect

Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock: Don't Sleep on It

Scarface: Born Killer

Scarface: Mr. Scarface Pt 3 - The Final Chapter - He's Dead

Schoolly D: Treacherous

Snow: Informer

Stetsasonic: In Full Gear

Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud: Girls Act Stupid-aly

UNKLE: Unreal

"Young Girls Are My Weakness"

Schoolly D: Dedicated to All B Boys

"C E B U"

Gangsta NIP: Psycho

K-Solo: Premonition of a Black Panther

Kid Sensation: Hype it Up

Shaq: I Got Skills

"Fancy Dancer"

Original Flavor: I Like It

"Girl, I Think the World about You"

De la Soul: Buddy

"High on Sunshine"

De la Soul: Sunshine

Fat Joe: Walk on By

"I'm Ready"

Beastie Boys: Egg Man

Tone Loc: Cheeba Cheeba

"Slippery When Wet"

7A3: Everybody Get Loose

"Zoom"

Tricky: Tricky Kid

"Brickhouse"

Dream Warriors: Follow Me Not

Foxxy Brown ft Method Man: Ill Na Na

Lords of the Underground: Bring It

Lost Boys: Get Up

Tairrie B: Step 2 This

Yo-Yo: Mama Don't Take No Mess

"Patch it Up"

Reflection Eternal: Soul Rebels

"Easy"

Cam'Ron ft Juelz Santana: Hey Ma

Geto Boys: Six Feet Deep

JCD & the Dawg lb: Tilo Sings the Hits

"I Like What You Do

Jungle Brothers: Doin' Our Own Dang

"Say Yeah"

Rottin Razkals: Ohh Yeah

Tamia: So into You

"You're Special"

Juelz Santana: Back Again

?

A Tribe Called Quest: ICU (RealAudio)