Rock Solid

Released in 1988, Rock Solid represents a pivotal and final chapter for the classic lineup of the Commodores, marking the last appearance of founding keyboardist Milan Williams. Following the massive success of 'Nightshift' a few years prior, the band leaned further into the contemporary R&B sounds of the late 80s, heavily utilizing the Yamaha DX7 and programmable drum machines. The album is characterized by its 'Grrip' and 'Bump the La La' dance tracks which attempt to compete with the aggressive production of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. While it failed to achieve the commercial heights of their 70s output, it remains a fascinating document of a funk band navigating the digital revolution. The inclusion of tracks like 'Solitaire' shows their continued mastery of the mid-tempo R&B ballad, even within a more rigid, synthetic framework. Critically, it is seen as a professional, well-crafted effort that suffered from the rapidly changing tastes of the urban contemporary market.