Manhattan Transfer — “Spice Of Life”

Entered Top 40:  November 5, 1983
2  weeks 
Peaked at: 40

The jazz/vocal group The Manhattan Transfer had been around since 1969, but first broke into the Top 40 with 1975’s “Operator” (#30). Their biggest hit was the 1981 doo-wop cover of “The Boy From New York City” (#7).

For 1983’s Bodies and Souls, the group went in a contemporary R&B direction. A couple of its songs, including “Spice of Life,” were written/cowritten by Rod Temperton, who’d written “Off the Wall,” “Rock With You,” and “Thriller” for Michael Jackson. “Spice of Life” was apparently recorded by Jackson for Thriller, but was never released (it’s also considered very similar to “Baby Be Mine,” another Temperton track that was one of two songs on Thriller NOT released as singles). The Jackson version of “Spice of Life” seems to be something of a Grail Song among Michael Jackson fans. Several AI-based attempts to recreate what it might sound like are now online; they’re creepy and I won’t be linking to them.

“Spice of Life” did get Manhattan Transfer their only R&B-charting hit (#32) and was #5 AC, but it’s also their last Top 40 appearance. Three original members have passed away, and the group is concluding its 50th-anniversary, final tour next weekend in Los Angeles.