Back in April 2022, SoulMusic.com’s Editorial Content Manager, Tim Dillinger, wrote a Perspectives column on Teena Marie which received an incredible response. Shortly thereafter, he joined renowned music journalist Craig Seymour for a podcast discussion about her importance.
1) Lady T (1980)
We chose the often-neglected ballad “Can It Be Love,” which many forget was the first single from Teena’s sophomore effort. It was one of the few instances in her career where a ballad was chosen as the first single–but it was eclipsed by the success of “Behind the Groove.” Click here to read Tim’s review of Lady T.
With the massive success of “I Need Your Lovin’,” this album officially established Teena as a force–a singer/songwriter/producer/arranger–who had her own musical ideas and the ability to execute them. “Tune In Tomorrow,” co-written by Teena and her childhood friend Mickey Boyce, displays the sophistication and range of her talent. Click here to read the review of Irons In the Fire.
3) It Must Be Magic (1981)
1981 was a major year for Teena. Not only did she unleash It Must Be Magic, but she also collaborated with Rick James on his own blockbuster, Street Songs, delivering the Quiet Storm epic “Fire and Desire.” We chose “Yes Indeed,” which features Patrice Rushen on piano, the closing song on the album that earned Teena her first Grammy nomination. To read Tim’s review of It Must Be Magic, click here.
It had been a decade since her independent release, Passion Play, a tour de force of romantica, that, sadly, went unheard by many of her fans. She re-emerged with the power-packed La Doña, delivering both the ballads and the funk that her listeners loved her for. “My Body’s Hungry” shows the ways Teena’s sound evolved in the decade between projects, navigating the tricky balance between staying current and remaining true to the core of her sound. To read more about La Doña, click here.
