Love Unlimited Orchestra Albums (7)
What The Critics Say
Even though the Love Unlimited Orchestra was originally assembled to provide instrumentation for Barry White's Love Unlimited side project, the band was a heavy chart hitter for four years. White Gold is the band's third 1974 release and, though it cannot eclipse their debut, Rhapsody in White, still it would take them through the beginning of 1976. White pulls out the tried-and-true formula across this album, which is loaded with the expected orchestral numbers -- heavy on the strings, of course, and interspersed with White's own vocal nuggets. The problem is, however, how many times can this really play out? Rhapsody in White remains the quintessential Unlimited sound and everything after that is just cream cheese filler. But if that's what the masses want.... "Satin Soul" was the only track to flip off the album and onto the singles chart, and it is relatively sweet, but the real gem in this album comes one track later. "Always Thinking of You," penned by Ray Parker, Jr., is a much stronger song. It's rich, full of life, and has a great groove. One other track worth spinning is the horn-driven and funkified "You Make Me Feel Like This (When You Touch Me)." The rest of the album, unfortunately, is a throwaway. But still it cannot be denied; at the end of the party, no matter how good or bad, Love Unlimited Orchestra provided a sound that was integral to the decade and a service to purveyors of shag carpets and crackling fireplaces everywhere. ~ Amy Hanson, All Music Guide
'Super Movie Themes: Just a Little Bit Different'
Release Date 1/1/1979
Tracks 10
Label 20th Century
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Music Maestro Please'
Release Date 1/1/1975
Tracks 8
Label 20th Century
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Barry White arranged, produced, and co-wrote all of the songs for this December 1975 release from his Love Unlimited Orchestra. The final result of Music Maestro Please is the one of their most realized albums, next to My Musical Bouquet. "Makin' Believe That It's You" sweeps you along with enveloping strings and a double-time beat. Snapping guitars push the somewhat funky "Wanna Stay." Other highlights are the playful "It's Only What I Feel" and the slinky "Midnight Groove." The soaring "Bring It on Up" and the smooth mid-tempo "Forever in Love" can also be found on The Best of the Love Unlimited Orchestra. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
'Rhapsody in White'
Release Date 1/1/1974
Tracks 8
Label 20th Century
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The press may have dubbed Barry White "the walrus of love," but he was certainly the guru of something for many star crossed lovers across his Love Unlimited Orchestra output. While White rocketed up the charts with his solo "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little Bit More" in 1973, it was that same year's smash single "Love's Theme" that shot Love Unlimited Orchestra right up alongside him. Mostly instrumental, all orchestral, and packed with "that" tchka tchka guitar and full-fledged disco sound well before the genre reached maturity, Rhapsody in White set the stage and showcased the sounds that would shortly inspire a generation of producers, arrangers, and performers to start a million mirror balls spinning the world over. This album, in all its admitted smarminess, is a triumph. From the opening bars of "Barry's Theme," Rhapsody in White unleashes a groove which really keeps it all mellow. And even though we have to listen through three tracks to first hear White's trademarked vocal come-on on "Midnight and You" it's well worth the wait. He gets a little more vocal on side two, across "Don't Take It All Away" and again at the beginning of "Baby Blues," which has shag rug in front of a fireplace written all over its arrangement. But the masterful finale, of course, is "Love's Theme." The song's lush strings and smooth wah-wah guitars not only typified a genre, they also became an aural catchphrase for an entire generation of clubbers. And because this is, underneath it all, a Barry White album, the teaser for the nightcap is delicious. ~ Amy Hanson, All Music Guide
