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Originally released May 22, 1981.
All songs written by Teena Marie except "Square Biz" (T. Marie/A. McGrier) and "The Ballad Of Cradle Rob And Me" (T. Marie/J.D. Jones).
Personnel: Teena Marie (vocals, arranger, Oberheim synthesizer); Josef Andre Parson, Tom McDermott (guitar); Gerald Albright (flute, saxophone); John C. Ervin (flute, trombone); Danielle LeMelle (saxophone); Eric Butler, Roy L. Poper, Kenneth Scott, Cliff J. Ervin (trumpet); James S. Stewart, Jr., Patrice Rushen, Scott Markus De Turk (keyboards); Allen McGrier (synthesizer, bass); Bill Wolfer (synthesizer); Oscar Alston, Charles A. Glenn, Jr. (bass); Paul Hines, Christopher Anthony Boehme (drums); Rick James, The Temptations, Mickey Boyce-Hearn, Arnell Carmichael, Maxine Waters-Willard, Julia Waters-Tillman, Pattie Brooks, Dwayne Wedlan, Jill D. Jones, Jackie Ruffin, Ray Townsend, Grayland Taylor, Ginny Pallante, Diedra Joseph (background vocals).
Principally recorded at Motown, Hollywood, California and Wonderland Studios, Los Angeles, California. Originally released on Gordy (G8-1004M1). Includes liner notes by A. Scott Galloway.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
This is part of Motown Records "Classic Albums" mseries.
Personnel: Teena Marie (synthesizer, background vocals); Tom McDermott (guitar); Lloyd Lindroth (harp); John Ervin (flute, trombone); Gerald Albright, Daniel LaMelle (saxophone); Kenneth Scott, Eric Butler (trumpet); Clifford J. Ervin, Roy Poper (piccolo trumpet); Patrice Rushen (keyboards); Allen McGrier, Bill Wolfer (synthesizer); Paul Hines (drums); Jackie Ruffin, Arnell Carmichael, Dierdre Joseph, Darren Carmichael, Jill Jones, Pattie Brooks, Phillip Ingram, Rick James , The Temptations (background vocals).
Liner Note Author: A. Scott Galloway.
Recording information: Hitsville U.S.A. Recording Studio, Hollywood, CA (07/30/1981); Long Beach (07/30/1981); Motown (07/30/1981).
Photographer: Ron Slenzak.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Melvin Franklin; Otis Williams .
Former prot?g? of Superfreak funk maestro Rick James, Mary Christine Brockert, the R&B powerhouse better known as Teena Marie, blossomed into her element on early albums for the Gordy/Motown label. The singer's fourth and final album for Motown, IT MUST BE MAGIC--her second fully self-written, self-produced effort--oversaw Marie's true creative emancipation. In an inspired set taking in smoldering ballads, introspective singer-songwriter-style material, and vibrant dance floor numbers, her versatility is evident throughout. From the jubilant horns and proto-rap-style delivery of "Square Biz" to the thoughtful and poignant tribute to gunned-down Beatle John Lennon ("Revolution"), the entirety of the album is infused with the singer's forceful, robust vocals and imaginative arrangements. Among the highlights in the career of one of R&B's most independent-minded and original talents, IT MUST BE MAGIC was the breakout work that proved Teena Marie could hold her own in the pantheon of soul music's greats.
