BEST OF

Love Unlimited Orchestra: Glodean James, Linda James, Diana Taylor (vocals). Includes liner notes by Amy Linden. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Mercury Records/Chronicles Funk Essentials series. Audio Remasterer: Gary N. Mayo. Liner Note Author: Amy Linden. Arrangers: Gene Page; Barry White. Spanning the years 1972-1980, The Best of Love Unlimited is a generous 17-track overview of the female trio's career, with the vast majority of the songs produced and written (or co-written) by their mentor, Barry White. Naturally, their two big hits are present: the gold-selling R&B Top Ten hit "Walkin' in the Rain (With the One I Love)" and the R&B number one "I Belong to You." But with White at the controls, Love Unlimited managed a number of other fine moments, usually with a sound that wasn't too dissimilar from White's own records. They weren't necessarily carbon copies -- a classic female soul group sound pops up now and again, as with the Motown-style bounce of "It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart, It's Spring)." There's also an endearing, disco-fied dance track in "High Steppin', Hip Dressin' Fella (You Got It Together)." But even those bear White's instantly recognizable touch as an arranger, and his fingerprints are all over excellent minor hits like "Under the Influence of Love," "Oh Love, Well We Finally Made It," "I Needed Love -- You Were There," "Move Me No Mountain," "I'm So Glad That I'm a Woman," and the ballad "Share a Little Love in Your Heart." Die-hard White fans would do well to pick this up, and it's appealing enough to play outside of that base, too. ~ Steve Huey