Released: March 1973
A year after Love Unlimited’s debut album, Barry White released his own debut and it was certainly a collaborative effort. It’s technically a White solo LP, but Love Unlimited is all over this bad boy.
The album begins with “Standing In The Shadows Of Love”, which is practically a loving homage to two of White’s prominent influences: Motown and Isaac Hayes.
The Motown tribute is of course the song itself, which was originally recorded by the Four Tops. The Isaac Hayes tribute lay in the production. This song is quite atypical for White in that it very much belongs in the psychedelic soul movement, something Hayes helped pioneer with Hot Buttered Soul. The song is also eight minutes long—far beyond anything on the Love Unlimited debut. Another tribute to Hayes’ lengthy, buttery excursions.
Going back to Love Unlimited, they work overtime on this song doing a better job on it than White himself, who sounds out of place on this psychedelic workout. Unsurprisingly, Barry would not record a song akin to this again in his career.
Next up is “Bring Back My Yesterday”. Weakest song here. It has its moments, but overall it’s not really worth spinning.
Okay, now we’re getting somewhere with “I’ve Found Someone”, the first song where White isn’t upstaged by Love Unlimited. The trio still provide great backing, but now White’s vocals feel assured. (Maybe the “someone” that he found was his singing voice?) Also, the instrumentation finally feels like the classic Barry White sound. And it’s a snappy 5:54.
Trust me, that’s snappy for Barry White. The previous two songs were 8:00 and 6:40. The next two would be 8:17 and 7:20.
Okay, now we’ve really gone somewhere. “I’ve Got So Much to Give” is the first certified classic from White. It’s just him on vocals for this one. No help from Love Unlimited. But before we get to White’s vocals, he’s on piano. Solo. Alone. Isolated. For the first 15 seconds or so.
Then slowly things begin to layer on. Some French horns. A vibraphone. Barry gently saying, “Don’t do that… What are you crying for?” Some strings sweep in to let you know this gonna be a tour de force. A sweet sultry sax leaves no doubt shortly thereafter.
After about 2:30 of rapping, the drums really kick in, as does a guitar, and the song is off to groove land until about the 6:00 mark when a wall of shimmering strings and a harp abruptly cease making all noise as the song reverts back to its minimalist beginning.
The final two minutes feature a gorgeous duel between a sweetly strummed guitar and a fluttering flute.
Congratulations you’ve been to musical heaven.
Now let’s get dirty.
“I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby” concludes the album on some raunchiness not yet seen in popular music. However much money White paid the drummer was not enough. This back beat is something filthy.
I can’t further describe this song, just listen to this funky glory.
ALBUM GRADE: B-
This album was a commercial monster. Stayed on the R&B album charts for a year peaking at #1 and going gold. It also crashed the top 20 of the pop records. “I’m Gonna Love You Just A little More Baby” also topped the R&B chart while reaching #3 pop. The title song was #5 R&B and another top 40 pop hit.
Barry White mania had hit America.
Still, White had some improvements to make. He had two classics, a good song, and two meh songs. Fortunately, he’d make those improvements. Just not on the next solo record. That wasn’t the case for Love Unlimited, who immediately and dramatically improved on their sophomore album.
Song Scores
Standing In The Shadows Of Love: 5/10
Bring Back My Yesterday: 4/10
I’ve Found Someone: 7/10
I’ve Got So Much To Give: 9.5/10
I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby: 10/10