The Commodores

Still going strong a decade after their debut, the Commodores scored a Grammy-winning, chart-topping hit with the title track from this 1985 LP, recorded after frontman Lionel Richie had left the group. Embracing a sleeker, synth-powered pop and R&B sound, Nightshift is basically the last relevant album from the once-mighty Tuskegee funksters.

Title tune's pretty slick as rock and roll heaven songs go, but ever since Lionel--who they could have used on "The Woman in My Life"--they've been too tame for their own good. A new singer from Heatwave obviously isn't going to change that. When they thank Dennis Lambert "for being so good at what you do," you should remember that what he does is schlock. (Grade - C+)