XX No Tricks

Released in 1993, No Tricks is the fourteenth studio album by the Commodores and serves as a testament to the band's resilience as a trio consisting of Walter Orange, William King, and J.D. Nicholas. Following their massive success in the 70s and 80s, this album finds the group fully embracing the digital production standards of the early 90s. The record is notable for its inclusion of 'Brick House '93', a contemporary reimagining of their signature hit that replaces the original's raw, southern funk with a more rigid, electronic dance-pop structure. While the album did not achieve commercial chart success, it remains a significant document of the group's evolution and their attempt to integrate into the landscape of 90s R&B. The production is heavily reliant on synthesizers and drum machines, moving away from the live-band feel of their Motown heyday toward a more curated, studio-centric sound that mirrors the work of their contemporaries in the urban adult contemporary market.