The Commodores

For four songs--two hits, "Slippery When Wet" and "The Bump," surrounded by "Wide Open," which earns its reprise, and an instrumental called "I'm Ready" that's good enough for a theme--they make a case for their funk. I already believed, but the argument is a lot of fun. For the rest of the album they make a case for their soul. I'd be more inclined to believe if they hadn't bothered. (Grade - B)