Teena Marie
Teena Marie, born Mary Christine Brockert on March 5, 1956, in Santa Monica, California, rose to fame as a soul and R&B artist known as the "Ivory Queen of Soul". She passed away on December 26, 2010, at age 54 in Pasadena, California.
Raised in the Oakwood neighborhood of West Los Angeles, Teena Marie came from a multi-ethnic background including Italian, English, Irish, Portuguese, and Native American ancestry. She showed early talent, appearing on The Beverly Hillbillies at age eight as Tina Marie Brockert and singing at Jerry Lewis's son's wedding at ten. Self-taught on guitar, bass, and congas, she formed an R&B band with her brother and cousin by her teens.
Signed to Motown in 1976 after impressing Berry Gordy, she became protégée to Rick James, who nicknamed her "Lady T". Her debut album Wild and Peaceful (1979) featured the hit "I'm a Sucker for Your Love," a duet with James. Albums like Lady T (1980), It Must Be Magic (1981, her first gold record), and Square Biz followed, with "Square Biz" and "Portuguese Love" charting high on R&B lists.
After leaving Motown in 1982, she joined Epic Records, releasing Robbery (1983) with hits like "Fix It" and tracks about her romance with James, such as "Casanova Brown". Emerald City (1986) experimented with rock, including "Lead Me On" for Top Gun. A legal dispute with Motown delayed her until Naked to the World (1988), featuring her #1 R&B hit "Ooo La La La".
Returning in 2004 with La Doña on Cash Money Records, she earned a Grammy nomination for "Still in Love". Sapphire (2006) included "Ooh Wee" and reunions with Smokey Robinson. She released 13 albums selling over 2.5 million copies, acted in films like Top Gun, and influenced R&B as one of Motown's first white acts. Her daughter Alia Rose, now Rose Le Beau, pursues music.
It Must Be Magic
Written-By – Teena Marie
6:03
A2 Revolution
Written-By – Teena Marie
4:27
A3 Where's California
Written-By – Teena Marie
5:24
A4 365
Written-By – Teena Marie
4:10
A5 Opus III (Does Anybody Care)
Written-By – Teena Marie
1:27
B1 Square Biz
Written-By – Allen McGrier
6:13
B2 The Ballad Of Cradle Rob And Me
Written-By – Jill D. Jones
3:42
B3 Portuguese Love
Written-By – Teena Marie
7:47
B4 Yes Indeed
Written-By – Teena Marie
4:57
Label: Gordy – G8-1004M1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk, Disco
Teena Marie's It Must Be Magic (1981) is widely hailed as a funk/soul masterpiece, showcasing her distinct voice and vision with hits like "Square Biz," blending infectious funk with deep ballads, earning it critical acclaim (AllMusic 5/5, Robert Christgau A-) and significant commercial success as her Motown peak, solidifying her unique artistry.
Reviewers praise its rich arrangements, powerful vocals, and mature songwriting, establishing her as a vital, independent voice in R&B despite its youthful energy.
The album received perfect or near-perfect scores from major reviewers, recognizing its quality and impact. Desctibed as a "symphonic tsunami" of funk, soul, and rock, featuring lush strings, horns, and intricate rhythms.
Standout Tracks: "Square Biz," featuring a groundbreaking rap, became a major hit; other highlights include "Portuguese Love," "Revolution," and "It Must Be Magic".
Marie wrote, arranged, and produced most of the album, showcasing her burgeoning talent and independence from Motown. The songs explore personal themes, social commentary (like "Revolution"), and celebrated Black culture, with nods to Minnie Riperton and Nikki Giovanni.
It was her last album for Motown, yet it became her highest-selling for the label, earning her a gold record. The album's success, coupled with Motown's refusal to release her follow-up, led to her landmark lawsuit that created the "Brockert Initiative," benefiting many artists.
In essence, It Must Be Magic is celebrated as a definitive work, showcasing Teena Marie's powerful voice, songwriting, and undeniable funk/soul mastery at the dawn of the 1980s.
Robbery
Bass – Nathan East
Electronic Drums [Simmons Drums] – John Robinson
Guitar – Keith Alexander
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Synthesizer – Eric O'Neal, Todd Cochran
Voice [Monologue] – Alicia Gladden, Anthony Allan Brockert
Written-By, Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals, Synthesizer], Backing Vocals – Teena Marie 5:45
A2 Playboy
Backing Vocals – Carmen Twillie, Darryl Phinnessee, James Allen, Julia Waters - Tillman, Maxine Waters - Willard, Recco Philmore
Backing Vocals [Additional Backgrounds] – Car Johnson
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Drums – Steve Ferrone
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – John Bokowski, Jr.
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Synthesizer – Todd Cochran
Written-By, Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals, Synthesizer] – Teena Marie 5:30
A3 Shadow Boxing
Acoustic Guitar – Greg Poree
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Paul Hines
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Soloist, Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Soloist, Saxophone – Daniel LeMelle
Written-By, Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals], Backing Vocals – Teena Marie 7:02
A4 Midnight Magnet
Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals] – Teena Marie
Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Dwayne Wedlaw, Teena Marie
Backing Vocals – Carmen Twillie, Julia Waters - Tillman, Maxine Waters - Willard, Teena Marie
Bass – Nathan East
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – John Bokowski, Jr.
Electronic Drums [Simmons Drums] – John Robinson
Guitar – Keith Alexander, Marlo Henderson
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Synthesizer – John Bokowski, Jr., Todd Cochran
Written-By – P. J., Teena Marie 5:32
B1 Fix It
Arranged By [Strings] – Paul Riser, Teena Marie
Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Eric O'Neal, Teena Marie
Backing Vocals – Darryl Phinnessee, James Allen, Julia Waters - Tillman, Maxine Waters - Willard, Recco Philmore, Teena Marie
Concertmaster – Harry Bluestone
Conductor [Strings] – Paul Riser
Drums – James Allen
Guitar – Charles Fearing, Keith Alexander
Synthesizer – Eric O'Neal, Teena Marie, Todd Cochran
Voice [Monologue] – P. J.
Written-By, Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals] – Teena Marie 4:57
B2 Ask Your Momma
Arranged By [Strings] – Fred Mirza, Teena Marie
Backing Vocals – Teena Marie
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Concertmaster – Harry Bluestone
Conductor [Strings] – Paul Riser
Drums – Ricky Lawson
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – John Bokowski, Jr.
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Synthesizer – Patrice Rushen, Teena Marie, Todd Cochran
Voice [Monologue] – Mickey Boyce Hearn, Teena Marie
Written-By, Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals, Synthesizer] – Teena Marie 5:34
B3 Dear Lover
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Paul Riser
Backing Vocals – Carmen Twillie, Julia Waters - Tillman, Maxine Waters - Willard, Teena Marie
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Concertmaster – Harry Bluestone
Drums – Steve Ferrone
Piano [Acoustic] – John Bokowski, Jr.
Written-By, Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals] – Teena Marie 5:19
B4 Stop The World
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Nathan Watts, Teena Marie
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Paul Riser
Backing Vocals – Julia Waters - Tillman, Maxine Waters - Willard, Teena Marie
Bass – Nathan Watts
Concertmaster – Harry Bluestone
Drums – John Robinson
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – John Bokowski, Jr.
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Soloist, Saxophone – Daniel LeMelle
Steel Drums – Vincent Charles
Written-By, Arranged By [Vocals] – Teena Marie 4:14
B5 Cassanova Brown
Arranged By [Horns, Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Paul Riser
Concertmaster – Harry Bluestone
Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Stanley Clarke
Drums – Nick Ceroli
Guitar – Nick Brown (3)
Piano [Acoustic] – John Bokowski, Jr.
Written-By, Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals] – Teena Marie 8:00
Label: Epic – FE 38882
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk
Teena Marie's 1983 album Robbery is a critically acclaimed triumph, marking her bold shift from Motown to Epic Records with a sound that fused funky R&B, synth-funk, and pop, showcasing her incredible voice and songwriting, featuring standout tracks like "Fix It," "Casanova Brown," and "Midnight Magnet," and is considered a potent, diverse, and essential part of her legendary catalog. While not as commercially massive as her Motown hits, it's praised for its fearless energy, rich musicianship, and embodying her "Queen of Ivory Soul" magic at its peak.
Robbery moved towards a leaner, synth-heavy sound with new wave touches, yet stayed true to her funky roots, capturing a new artistic freedom after leaving Motown.
Teena's signature, free-spirited, and soulful vocals shine, even if her unconventional style sometimes struggled with slower, more traditional jazz attempts, making her perfect for high-energy grooves.
Highlights include the energetic "Fix It," the soulful "Dear Lover," the rock-infused "Robbery," the jazz-infused "Casanova Brown," and the catchy "Midnight Magnet".
A stellar lineup including Patrice Rushen, Stanley Clarke, and Steve Ferrone contributed, creating a rich soundscape with crisp rhythms and lush arrangements.
Seen as an "uncontested triumph," it's celebrated for its depth, variety (from slow jams to party funk), and showcasing Marie's immense talent and personality, solidifying her status as a unique R&B force.
Robbery is a dynamic, fun, and powerful album, full of passion and spirit, perfectly balancing hard-driving funk with heartfelt soul, making it a favorite for longtime fans and a must-listen for discovering her genius.