It’s been six years since audiences experienced the rating-breaking three-part mini-series, The New Edition Story. I still remember my excitement walking into an advance screening of Part 1 on a cold January night. One of my favorite scenes occurs in this part when a young Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins are supporting a pre-teen Bobby Brown in a talent show. The local Boston-based group, The Untouchables, is performing a cover of Philly soul group Blue Magic’s “Spell” before Bobby takes the stage. After hearing another cover version of the song in Michael Bivin’s documentary, The Hustle of 617 Biv, I decided to feature it for Slow Jam Saturday.
Blue Magic consisted of lead tenor Ted “Wizard” Mills, lead baritone Wendell Sawyer, second tenor Keith “Duke” Beaton,” bass Richard Pratt, and second baritone Vernon Sawyer. The group’s signature was their dreamy ballads and choreographed stage moves. “Spell” was the lead single from their self-titled debut album, which hit stores in January 1974.
Group member Ted Mills wrote the song, while Sigma Sound Studio’s legendary house band MFSB provided the music. The ballad explores the theme of being completely captivated and controlled by someone’s influence. The lyrics describe a sense of trouble and inner turmoil experienced by the narrator. They are constantly thinking, dreaming, and seeing visions of this person, unable to get themselves together.
The narrator’s repetition of the line “Must have put a spell on my mind” implies that they feel like they have been bewitched or influenced by this individual. This “spell” symbolizes this person’s inexplicable power and influence over the narrator’s mind and behavior. The bridge emphasizes this individual’s profound impact on the narrator, causing them to feel euphoric and utterly transformed. It implies that the spell has altered the narrator’s identity, leaving them entirely subject to the whims of the person who cast it.
The conclusion emphasizes being under someone’s control, recognizing the spell as the reason for this strong bond and inability to escape. It portrays a feeling of surrender and acknowledgment of their destiny to be with this individual. Anyone who has ever been in lust can relate to the song just as much as anyone who has been madly and deeply in love.
Final Grade: A
“Spell” from Blue Magic is available on all streaming platforms.
For the first Second Listen Sunday of 2025, I wanted to return to 2005 and highlight “Gemini,” the eighth album from iconic singer & balladeer Brian McKnight. The album hit stores on February 8th, 2005, and would serve as the singer’s last release on the legendary Motown label. The album’s title pays homage to the singer’s astrological sign.
When discussing families in R&B music, three names are usually at the top: Jackson, Debarge, and Isley. For the first Slow Jam Saturday of 2025, I wanted to show love to Isley Jasper Isley and their hit “Insatiable Woman” from their 1985 album “Caravan of Love.”
For their second single, the group presented a ballad entitled “Feels Like The First Time.” Once again, Greene handles the lyrics, while Neville Hodge is responsible for production duties. Greene begins the song with robust energy, proclaiming his love for the lady. Greene’s group members provide stellar work on the background vocals, and the songs eschew nineties R&B without going into crass vulgarity.