Love
Unlimited Orchestra - The 20th Century Records Singles 1973 to 1979 (3LP set)
One of the
greatest soul instrumental groups of the 70s, finally given their due – here in
a massive package that brings together all their great singles done under the
guidance of Barry White! White was a genius at the time of these tracks, and he
worked with Love Unlimited at a level that was different from other groups of
its nature – and which really helped pave the way for so many styles of soul
modes to come! Love Unlimited Orchestra was a large studio group with plenty of
strings, but they always worked with a great White-crafted groove – forged in
the years before disco, and an undeniable influence on that mode – but often
cut with the sophistication of blacksploitation soundtrack styles too – which
makes for a really fantastic sound. The package brings together all the group's
singles from their great mid-70s run, then also includes a few of their
12" mixes too – when they could really stretch out. A fantastic amount of
music for the price – with titles that include "Sweet Moments", "Rhapsody
In White", "Barry's Theme", "Satin Soul", "Find
The Man Bros", "Theme From Together Brothers", "My Sweet
Summer Suite", "Theme From King Kong", "Always
Thinking", "Midnight Groove", "Only You Can Make Me
Blue", "Baby Blues", "Forever In Love",
"Brazilian Love Song", "Hey Look At Me I'm In Love",
"Theme From Superman", "Whisper Softly", "Theme From
Shaft", "Don't You Know How Much I Love You", "Hey Look At
Me I'm In Love (disco version)", "Brazilian Love Song (disco
version)", "Theme From King King (disco version)", "My
Sweet Summer Suite (disco version)", "Blues Concerto", and
"Don't You Know How Much I Love You (disco version)". ~ Dusty Groove
Love
Unlimited - The Uni, MCA, & 20th Century Records Singles
1972 to 1975
A fantastic
selection of work from one of the hippest girl groups of the 70s – the mighty
Love Unlimited trio, three singers who all worked under the genius of Barry
White in his prime! Unlike other girl trios of the time, who often used an
older soul mode refitted with disco grooves – sometimes acting more like a
chorus than a lead act – Love Unlimited always brought their full vocal
strengths to play, and do a fantastic job here working in modes that rival some
of the best male harmony groups of the early 70s – especially the sweet soul
groups from New Jersey, New York, and Philly. And yes, Barry does kick up the
groove a bit at times, but even then things are usually more in a midtempo
mode, not a disco one – which makes for tremendous sounds throughout. This is
the first-ever proper collection of the girls' singles from the early 70s – and
titles include "Oh Love Well We Finally Made It", "Fragile
Handle With Care", "Are You Sure", "I Should Have
Known", "Is It Really True Boy Is It Me", "Walkin In The
Rain With The One I Love", "Under The Influence Of Love",
"It May Be Winter Outside", "I Love You So Never Gonna Let You
Go", "I Belong To You", "So Nice To Hear",
"People Of Tomorrow Are The Children Of Today", and "Share A
Little Love In Your Heart". ~ Dusty Groove
Shamie
Royston – Beautiful Liar
A fantastic
album from pianist Shamie Royston – an artist who's been making records for a
few years, but really knocks us out of the park with this one! The set's got
this perfect vibe right from the start – music that's deeply soulful and
spiritual, but also swinging a lot too – maybe a bit like the spirit that Wayne
Shorter hit on his first few albums for Blue Note – with that balance of
individuality, modernism, and deeper traditions. Shamie really hits all those
elements perfectly here – really finding her voice, and getting tremendous work
from a group that also includes Jaleel Shaw on alto and soprano, Josh Evans on
trumpet, Yasushi Nakamura on bass, and husband Rudy Royston on drums. The two
horns are tremendous together – really soaring over Shamie's beautiful
compositions – and bassist Nakamura is a real revelation, as his round, bold
tone really helps shape the songs. Titles include "Beautiful Liar",
"Circuloso Vicioso", "Sunday Nostalgia", "Push",
"Dissimulate", and a version of the Bill Withers' tune "Lovely
Day". ~ Dusty Groove
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