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īecause their biggest hits were slower songs, the group became known mostly for their ballads. MFSB guitarist Bobby Eli and Vinnie Barrett co-wrote both "Sideshow" and "Three Ring Circus". The first single from their 1975 follow-up album The Magic of the Blue, entitled "Three Ring Circus", also sold well, reaching number 36 in the pop chart and number 5 R&B. In addition to the four hit singles, it also included another Richard Dickson inspired creation, the hit ballad "What's Come Over Me", a seven-minute rendition of the Main Ingredient million seller "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely", the solid album closer "Tear It Down", and the uptempo "Welcome to the Club". It climbed to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B chart. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA on August 16, 1974. The next single release became their first Billboard US Top 10 R&B and Pop hit, " Sideshow". This hit was even more successful, reaching number 14 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 74 on the pop chart. Their next single was the ballad "Stop to Start". Their second release was the uptempo "Look Me Up" which reached number 36, stayed on the R&B chart for 11 weeks, and was popular on the early disco scene. They were known for making dreamy ballads and their choreographed stage moves. 30 (it was written and co-produced by Mills). Their first song release in 1973 was "Spell" which went onto the US Billboard R&B chart peaking at No. The group's harmonies were supported by the MFSB studio house band. The group was one of the earliest acts produced by Norman Harris, a Philadelphia recording veteran.

They were signed with Atco Records through WMOT in the same year. They inserted Shades of Love (which they owned contractually) with Ted Mills and retitled the group Blue Magic. (According to Marc Taylor in his book A Touch of Classic Soul of the Early 1970s, "although the group performed admirably, they lacked a standout lead singer".) The execs decided to replace the Toppicks, the act Mills recorded with. A short time later the group Shades of Love, featuring Keith Beaton, Richard Pratt, Vernon Sawyer and his brother Wendell, came in to audition. Blue Magic was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1972 when former member of The Delfonics, Randy Cain, brought in singer-songwriter Ted Mills to do some writing with the Philly-based WMOT production company to create a new band.