Barry White - Change (1982) - €10,00

White’s third release (1982) on his own Unlimited Gold label is more an extension of the second, “Sheet Music.” The title cut touts a “change” in the Maestro’s musical direction but such a path doesn’t fit the trademark White sound. Restraining the use of strings and full orchestra, White goes for a funkier sound that, for this listener, just doesn’t work. It wouldn’t be until his end-of-the-decade releases on A & M that he would return to form that made him such a success in the seventies.

Although his success on the pop charts slowed down as the disco era came to an end, he maintained a loyal following throughout his career. Despite several albums over the next three years, he failed to repeat his earlier successes, with no singles managing to reach the Billboard Hot 100, except for 1982’s “Change,” climbing into the Billboard R&B Top 20 (#12). His label venture was exacting a heavy financial cost on White, so he concentrated on mostly touring and finally folded his label in 1983.

It would be easy to write off some of Barry’s later work, if only because his 70s output was so stellar – and ubiquitous. But this early 80s LP finds Barry trading in his patented rapping over sultry slow jams for crisp uptempo 80s groove numbers – but doesn’t leave his or Gene Page’s sophisticated sensibility behind – including the title track, which was a minor hit, and has an unstoppable groove. Also includes “Passion”, “Turnin On, Tunin In” and “It’s All About Love”.

Side A

A1. Change - 6:12  

A2. Turnin’ On, Tunin’ In (To Your Love) - 5:13  

A3. Let’s Make Tonight (An Evening To Remember) - 5:09  

A4. Don’t Tell Me About Heartaches - 6:52  

Side B

B1. Passion - 6:58  

B2. I’ve Got That Love Fever - 5:11  

B3. I Like You, You Like Me - 5:30  

B4. It’s All About Love - 4:20 

Notes

Release:  1982

Format:  LP

Genre:  Soul / Synth-funk

Label:  Unlimited Gold Records

Catalog#  ULG CX 85788

Vinyl:  VG+

Cover:  VG+

Prijs: €10,00