soleil rare 5 - L word.

Minnie Riperton - Stay In Love.

Minnie Riperton surely had a rare vocal talent. She didn't scream her heart out, but preferred whispering. Her voice gives more sense to the title of this song, produced by her husband Richard Rudolph. Backed with sweet backed vocals (both male and females voices), "Stay In Love" is a very nice ballad, that Minnie concludes with a high note, the kind of note that inspired Mariah Carey. Gentle Spanish-style guitars also make their way inside your ears to suggest you sit back and relax.

For the story, published in 1975, the "Stay In Love" album is the last album Minnie recorded before she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Marvin Gaye - Need Your Lovin' (Want You Back).

It's hard to believe Marvin started in the music business as a drummer. According to the legend, he was once even featured in a teen band alongside Stevie Wonder... what a line-up. 

Fortunately, Marvin once took a mic and never left it, until he was killed by his father. "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" earned Marvin a great success in 1965, reaching the top of the charts, and selling one million copies. It was one of his first hits as a solo artist. 

"Need Your Lovin' (Want You Back)" was written by both Clarence Paul and Marvin Gaye. Opening on piano notes, in the classic Motown mood of the 60's, the song uses the formula of one-and-two's between Marvin and the backing vocals. A few horns are featured, by frankly, the song is all about Marvin's voice. And yeah, it's too short. 

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Everybody Needs Love.

It's not an insult to say that The Miracles are not the main ingredient of this track. Because Smokey Robinson has such a presence behind the mic. Because I guess it was Edward Holland and Norman Whitfield's intention to push Smokey forward. Because the backing band of Motown drops a heady performance : drums are on point, with nice rimshots, horns, a sweet guitar and bass pattern. A classic Motown recipe for a true statement. 

The Stylistics - Love Is The Answer.

It starts like a Barry White instrumental song. And guess what ? Well, The Man had nothing to do with it. 

The Stylistics were hailing from Philly ; just for that, you would expect them to appear in the Philadelphia International rooster. Well, they didn't. "Let's Put It All Together" was recorded on Avco Records, a label that enjoyed success thanks to The Stylistics, and that's almost it.

On this track, "Love Is The Answer", it's another great vocal performance that makes it special. But I guess the producers found their instrumental good enough to make it follow the vocal version on the B side of the album. And don't underestimate the percussions.

Willie Hutch - Lucky To Be Loved By You.

What do you know about Willie Hutch ? "The Mack". Yeah. "Foxy Brown". Yeah. Two masterpieces, two soundtracks. But Willie also composed albums for himself, so to speak. "Soul Portrait" was his debut album, and, hot damn, it wasn't a foot set in the industry, it was a whole leg. 

Responsible for the music and the words of most of the album, Willie Hutch set the record straight in 1969. This incredible effort attracted the ears of Detroit label Motown on the L.A.-born singer. Indeed, after releasing two albums on RCA, Willie Hutch started writting for Motown superstars The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson etc. And had the career we know.

The Three Degrees - Get Your Love Back.

This mid-70's effort wears the touch of the magical combo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, the creators of Philadelphia International. With a little help from John Davis as the arranger (Gamble & Huff didn't know how to write music), the duo crafted a up-tempo hit for the female trio that followed The Supremes is the heart of the soul lovers.
Behind the instruments, of course, that's another good performance by in-house band MFSB. Now, stomp your feet and let your body respond to the bass.

David Ruffin - Still In Love With You.

Goddamn, David Ruffin was the man. He had such a powerful voice. Everyone noticed it when he was the lead singer of The Temptations. But it became even more obvious when he decided to take the solo exit.
"Still In Love With You" sounds like a song by The Whispers ; it indeed reminds of "This Kind Of Lovin'". This is because it was made in 1980, at a time when disco was taking the spot of soul music in the industry.
The tune is so danceable that you'll find yourself moving to the beat even if you're seated. 

Teddy Pendergrass - Love T.K.O.

Teddy Pendergrass should have left Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes much earlier than he did. But, life is like a box of chocolates... Teddy expanded his wings in 1977, quite late in the history of soul music. And in 1982, he became half paralized, following a car accident. He kept recording after this drama though. But life was not the same...
During his five main years, Teddy Pendergrass gained international fame, thanks to a voice that was making girls faint. That may be the "Love T.K.O."... With the unbeatable Philadelphia International team to nurture him, Teddy couldn't miss. As mellow as it gets, "Love T.K.O." is a real pillow call.      

Barry White - It's Only Love Doing It's Thing.

Another voice. Another incredible charisma. Barry White didn't need to sing, he could whisper or talk and make a hit nonetheless. Strangely enough, people usely think Barry was only the voice over other people's music. Errrr... that's quite not true. Apart a little help from friend Gene Page, Barry was a dope composer for himself, and for a big amount of acts.
Featured on "The Man", "It's Only Love Doing It's Thing" will easily being spotted by 50 Cent's fans, as the first notes were sampled for the rap song "21 Questions". But as a whole, the song is a great proof of Barry White's skills as a producer : nice melodies, impressive orchestration. Flawless.

Curtis Mayfield - So In Love.

Once again, a "Soleil Rare" selection features a song from Curtis Mayfield's catalog, and moreover from his "There's No Place Like America Today" album. Well, yeah, it's a dope album. Addictive.

Once again, Curtis will guide you to your bed with harmonious organs and horns, supported by slow drums. Curtis knew how to let the music speak for itself, before laying lyrics over the notes with his typical voice. "Woooo oooooh". Sing along y'all... "so in love"... Forever Curtis.