The Love Unlimited Orchestra
The Love Unlimited Orchestra was a 40-piece string-laden orchestra formed by American singer Barry White, and serving as a backing unit for White and for female vocal trio Love Unlimited.[1] From the early 1970s on, they also recorded several singles and albums under their own name.[1]
The Love Unlimited Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1972–1983 |
| Past members | John Roberts (Orchestra leader) David T. Walker Emmett North, Jr. Don Peake Ernie Watts Gene Page Kenny G Lee Ritenour Steve Guillory Sr. Wah Wah Watson (Melvin Ragin) Ray Parker Jr. Nathan East Wilton Felder Stella Castelucci And Others |
Career
The orchestra was originally formed in 1972 to back White's female vocal group Love Unlimited for their debut album.[1] The following year they began supporting White for his solo debut, I've Got So Much to Give.[1]
Their biggest hit was 1973's instrumental single "Love's Theme". The track, written by Barry White, went to number 1 for one week in the US and number 10 in the UK.[2] The RIAA awarded a gold disc in February 1974.[2] The hit was included on the orchestra's debut album, Rhapsody in White, issued in 1974.[1]
Two follow-up albums, the soundtrack for the film Together Brothers and White Gold, were released later that year.[1] White Gold featured the single "Satin Soul", which peaked at number 22 on the Billboard pop charts in early 1975.[3] In 1976, Kenny Gorelick, later known as Kenny G, joined the orchestra as a saxophonist.[1]
The orchestra continued to record albums for 20th Century Records until the end of the 1970s. By 1981, they had moved to White's own label, Unlimited Gold. Their second album from that year, Welcome Aboard,[1] featured composer and arranger Webster Lewis. Their final album, Rise, was issued in 1983.[1]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Record label | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [3] |
US R&B [3] |
AUS [4] |
CAN [5] |
UK [6] | ||||||||||
| 1974 | Rhapsody in White | 8 | 2 | 26 | 7 | 50 | 20th Century | |||||||
| Together Brothers (soundtrack) | 85 | 15 | — | — | — | |||||||||
| White Gold | 28 | 10 | 93 | 52 | — |
| ||||||||
| 1975 | Music Maestro Please | 94 | 14 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1976 | My Sweet Summer Suite | 123 | 35 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1978 | My Musical Bouquet | 201 | 53 | — | — | — | 20th Century Fox | |||||||
| 1979 | Super Movie Themes: Just a Little Bit Different | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1981 | Let 'Em Dance | — | — | — | — | — | Unlimited Gold | |||||||
| Welcome Aboard | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 1983 | Rise | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [3] |
US R&B [3] |
US A/C [3] |
US Dan [3] |
AUS [4] |
CAN [5] |
UK [6] | ||||||||
| 1973 | "Love's Theme" | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | 9 | 1 | 10 |
|
Rhapsody in White | ||||
| 1974 | "Rhapsody in White" | 63 | 48 | 34 | — | — | 63 | — | ||||||
| "Theme from Together Brothers" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Together Brothers | ||||||
| "Baby Blues" | 102 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rhapsody in White | ||||||
| 1975 | "Satin Soul" | 22 | 23 | 39 | 11 | — | 54 | — | White Gold | |||||
| "Forever in Love" | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | Music Maestro Please | ||||||
| "Midnight Groove" | 108 | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1976 | "My Sweet Summer Suite" | 48 | 28 | 30 | 1 | — | — | — | My Sweet Summer Suite | |||||
| "Brazilian Love Song" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1977 | "Theme from King Kong (Part 1)" | 68 | 15 | 27 | 7 | — | — | — | Super Movie Themes: Just a Little Bit Different | |||||
| 1978 | "Hey Look at Me, I'm in Love" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | My Musical Bouquet | |||||
| 1979 | "Theme from Shaft" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Super Movie Themes: Just a Little Bit Different | |||||
| 1980 | "Young America" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Let 'Em Dance | |||||
| "I Wanna Boogie and Woogie with You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1981 | "Vieni Qua Bella Mi" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Lift Your Voice and Say (United We Can Live in Peace Today)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | 76 | Welcome Aboard | ||||||
| "Welcome Aboard" | — | — | — | 59 | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1982 | "Night Life in the City" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| 1983 | "Do It to the Music... Please" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rise | |||||
| "My Laboratory (Is Ready for You)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
References
- Ankeny, Jason. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 330. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- "US Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "CAN Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". RPM. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- "UK Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- "US Certifications > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- "The Love Unlimited Orchestra: Rhapsody in White". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 10, 2020.