Released: 1981
Welcome Aboard’s title refers to Webster Lewis joining the Love Unlimited Orchestra as a co-arranger and co-producer with Barry White for this album. Maybe this was supposed to be a passing of the torch?
In any case, the Love Unlimited Orchestra fully arrives to the 1980s with synthesized sounds joining their typical symphonic fare. On songs like “Welcome Aboard” this mixture is fine. The production still is firmly on the side of the violins and not the Casio.
On the album’s second song, “Dreams”, you can see quickly that the group’s sound (like White’s solo LPs) was getting on board with the Quiet Storm groove too. George Benson would be proud of this song since it sounds right at home on Give Me The Night.
“Night Life In The City” is too much on the synthesized side of things. A horrible foreshadowing of the Orchestra’s next album.
A better example of a post-disco workout from the Orchestra is “Lift Your Voice And Say (United We Can Live In Peace Today)”. The Casio quality keyboards are gone. In their place are some contemporary bass slaps and processed rhythm guitar licks giving the song a very smooth but not overproduced sound. And we even have French horns souning off in the background.
Plus some percussive handclaps. That’s your cue to dance.
“Easin’” is too gossamer for its own good. “Antigua Blue” verges on being too svelte, but is saved by a trumpet solo. It’s definitely smooth jazz, though. Actually kind of surprised Barry White didn’t keep do more music like this.
“Wind” and “Strange” are pure easy listening.
“My Fantasies” is a mood. A brooding mood with some interesting keyboard work. Perfect for some late night activities.
ALBUM SCORE: C
Not the greatest musical achievement, but there are a couple respectable dance numbers.
And I can’t say that I like easy listening or smooth jazz, but as far as those genres go, this album did them alright. Given the explosion of smooth jazz in the 1980s, I’m shocked White didn’t give this type of music another try on the next and final Love Unlimited Orchestra album.
Song Scores
Welcome Aboard: 6/10
Dreams: 7/10
Night Life In The City: 5/10
Lift Your Voice And Say (United We Can Live In Peace Today): 7.5
Easin': 4/10
Antigua Blue: 5/10
Wind: 4/10
Strange: 6/10
My Fantasies: 7.5/10