Released: October 1974
So, this album title… easily the most sexiest thing to ever germinate from a Barry White production. And let me tell ya, for a man in the 1970s who did a lot of writing about sex and love, White actually didn’t engage in a lot of sexism, so this album title is totally out of left field!
Anyways, the actual music is much more respectable than that LP title.
And in true Love Unlimited fashion In Heat distills the Barry White sound to its pop-soul essence. The album clocks in at seven songs and 29 minutes.
The opening track is “Move Me No Mountain”, which was the first time Love Unlimited recorded a new song that was not (co-)written by White. It’s delightful and understated. The song would later be covered by Dionne Warwick and Chaka Khan.
The ladies provide a moving ballad in “Share A Little Love in Your Heart”. Since I’m not musically trained, I can’t accurately describe what’s going on here with the piano and bass guitar, but I love the feel-good ominousness and happy dread from them. Yes, “feel good” ominousness-ness and happy dreadedness.
“Oh I Should Say, It's Such a Beautiful Day” is pure cotton candy fluff.
“I Needed Love - You Were There” has a vocal and musical performance that match the urgency of the title. This song could so easily be corny (and it still might be, you be the judge), but the performance in my mind gives it an endearing matter-of-factness.
Oh hey, it’s time for the big single… “I Belong to You”. The song is glorious girl group pop that topped the R&B singles chart and reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100. Few folks in music history have sang the word “I” with as much conviction as Love Unlimited did on this record.
And the live performance below is super sweet.
The whole gang was performing live in Mexico City. Barry White and Glodean James were married by this point; and Glodean was pregnant with their child. I mean really pregnant. She was about to go into labor at any moment and she’s up there singing a song of dedication to her hubbie.
Also, singing this well? While that pregnant? Go on with your bad self Glodean.
And much love to Diane Taylor and Linda James. You don’t get that kind of full sound live unless you can sing for real.
Alright, back to the rest of the album.
“I Love You So, Never Gonna Let You Go” is another satisfying slice of pop-soul.
Things conclude with a vocal version of “Love’s Theme”. Not quite as good as the instrumental, but it’s still a worthwhile endeavor.
ALBUM GRADE: B+
There isn’t a misstep here even if there aren’t any suuuuuper high peaks or perfect songs. Just another damn good album from Love Unlimited. Also, never discount the power of brevity.
Better to understay your welcome than overstay.
Barry White had, and would continue to have, some issues recording albums that were only about 30 minutes long, but nonetheless saddled with some long tunes. So if any one of them failed to catch fire, it’d drag the rest of the LP down.
No worries there with Love Unlimited.
Song Scores
Move Me No Mountain: 8.5/10
Share a Little Love in Your Heart: 7.5/10
Oh I Should Say, It's Such a Beautiful Day: 7/10
I Needed Love - You Were There: 8/10
I Belong to You: 9/10
I Love You So, Never Gonna Let You Go: 8/10
Love's Theme: 7.5/10