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
OriginSan Pedro, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1972–1983
Past membersDavid T. Walker
Wah Wah Watson (Melvin Ragin)
Ray Parker Jr.
Nathan East
Wilton Felder
Ernie Watts
Gene Page
Kenny G
Lee Ritenour
John Roberts (Orchestra leader)
Emmett North, Jr.
Don Peake
Steve Guillory Sr.
Stella Castelucci
And Others

Career

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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".[2] The track, written by Barry White, went to number 1 for one week in the US and number 10 in the UK.[3] The RIAA awarded a gold disc in February 1974.[3] 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.[4] In 1976, Kenny Gorelick, later known as Kenny G, joined the orchestra as a saxophonist.[1] Ray Parker Jr. was also a member in the mid-1970s.[5]

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

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Albums

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Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Record label
US
[4]
US R&B
[4]
AUS
[6]
CAN
[7]
UK
[8]
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 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

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Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[4]
US
R&B

[4]
US
A/C

[4]
US
Dan

[4]
AUS
[6]
CAN
[7]
UK
[8]
1973 "Love's Theme" 1 10 1 9 1 10 Rhapsody in White
1974 "Rhapsody in White" 63 48 63
"Theme from Together Brothers" Together Brothers
"Baby Blues" Rhapsody in White
1975 "Satin Soul" 22 23 1 54 White Gold
"Forever in Love" 22 Music Maestro Please
"Midnight Groove" 91 15
1976 "My Sweet Summer Suite" 48 28 1 My Sweet Summer Suite
"Brazilian Love Song"
1977 "Theme from King Kong (Part 1)" 68 15 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)" 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

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ankeny, Jason. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  2. ^ Huey, Steve. "The Best of Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra (1995): Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 330. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "US Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  5. ^ Hanson, Amy. "White Gold (1974): Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  6. ^ a b David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ a b "CAN Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". RPM. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  8. ^ a b "UK Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  9. ^ a b c "US Certifications > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  10. ^ "The Love Unlimited Orchestra: Rhapsody in White". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
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