Bodies and Souls

This album was the first Manhattan Transfer album to be included in the Rhythm & Blues charts. The song "Spice of Life" was a hit on both the R&B chart, reaching #32, and on the Pop chart, reaching #40. This song featured a distinctive harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder. The song, written by Rod Temperton and Derek Bramble of Heatwave, has a similar structure to the Temperton-penned album cut "Baby Be Mine" on Michael Jackson's 1982 Thriller album.

The song "Mystery", also written by Rod Temperton, reached #80 on the R&B chart and #102 on the Pop chart. The song was later covered by Anita Baker on her 1986 album Rapture. "This Independence", written by Canadian composer Marc Jordan (famous for "Living In Marina Del Rey"), was also released on a 12" disco single.

The group won a Grammy Award for "Why Not!" in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.

The Manhattan Transfer

• Cheryl Bentyne – vocals, vocal clarinet solo (8)
• Tim Hauser – vocals, vocal arrangement (2, 5)
• Alan Paul – vocals, vocal arrangement (4–7)
• Janis Siegel – vocals, vocal arrangement (3,4, 8, 9)

Musicians

• Larry Williams – Rhodes (1), saxophone (1, 2, 4, 9), keyboards (2, 4), synthesizers (2–5), bass (2, 4), instrumental arrangements (2, 4, 5), horn arrangements (2)
• Casey Young – synthesizer programming (1–4, 7)
• Michael Boddicker – synthesizers (3), synthesizer programming (3)
• Greg Phillinganes – Fender Rhodes (3), synthesizers (3)
• J. Peter Robinson – synthesizers (4)
• Yaron Gershovsky – acoustic piano (5), keyboards (7, 9), synthesizers (7), instrumental arrangements (7, 9)
• Randy Waldman – acoustic piano (6), synthesizers (6), instrumental arrangements (6)
• John Erdsvoog – synthesizer programming (6)
• Greg Mathieson – acoustic piano (8)
• Kevin Clark – guitar (1), wind chimes (11)
• David Williams – guitar (1–4)
• Wayne Johnson – guitar (5, 6, 7, 9)
• Neil Stubenhaus – bass (1)
• Nathan East – bass (3, 6)
• Alex Blake – bass (5, 7, 9)
• Abraham Laboriel – bass (8)
• John Robinson – drums (1, 3, 6)
• Jeff Porcaro – drums (2, 4), Simmons drums (4)
• Art Rodriguez – drums (5, 7, 9)
• Carlos Vega – drums (8)
• Paulinho da Costa – percussion (1, 5, 9)
• Brian Avnet – handclaps (4)
• Richard Rudolph – handclaps (4)
• Stevie Wonder – harmonica solo (1)
• June Kiramoto – koto (7)
• Ernie Watts – saxophone (1), alto sax solo (3)
• Gary Herbig – saxophone (9)
• Bill Reichenbach Jr. – trombone (1, 2, 9)
• Charles Loper – trombone (9)
• Gary Grant – trumpet (1, 2, 9)
• Jerry Hey – trumpet (1, 2), horn arrangements (1, 9)
• Chuck Findley – trumpet (9)
• Rod Temperton – instrumental arrangements (1, 3), horn arrangements (1), vocal arrangements (1, 3)
• Jeremy Lubbock – string arrangements and conductor (6, 10, 11), Rhodes (10, 11), instrumental arrangements (11)
• Gerard Vinci – concertmaster (6, 10, 11)
• Frankie Valli – guest vocals (4)
• Erin Clark – "God's voice" and giggles (11)

• Producers – Richard Rudolph and The Manhattan Transfer (tracks 1–7, 9, 10 & 11); Tim Hauser and Greg Mathieson (track 8).
• Engineers – Kevin Clark (tracks 1–7, 9, 10 & 11); David Leonard (track 8).
• Second Engineers – Steve Bates, Gary Boatner, Joe Borga, Rick Butz, Benny Faccone and David Glover.
• Recorded at Westlake Studios, Sunset Sound and Boddifications (Los Angeles, CA); United Western Recorders, Baby 'O Recorders and T.A.P.E. Recorders (Hollywood, CA).
• Mixed by Kevin Clark at A&M Studios (Hollywood, CA) and Baby 'O Recorders.
• Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Studios.
• Production Coordination – John Cutcliffe
• Management Coordination – Marsha Loeb
• Art Direction and Design – Fayette Hauser
• Management – Brian Avnet

• The Manhattan Transfer Official Website