Writer and producer Leon Ware has been responsible for some of R&B and pop's most lush and romantic tracks. Ware produced Marvin Gaye's 1976 classic I Want You. He also co-wrote songs like Michael Jackson's "I Wanna Be Where You Are," Marlena Shaw's "Sweet Beginnings," and the Main Ingredient's "Rollin' Down a Mountainside" to name a few. This album is the follow-up to his 1976 Gordy release Musical Massage and was released shortly after he was behind the controls for nine of the ten tracks of Melissa Manchester's Don't Cry Loud. Inside Is Love has the intelligent and melody rich work fans expect from Leon Ware. Produced by Ware and Ron Roker, this has arrangements from David Blumberg, Gene Page, and Sonny Burke. Although he's not the world's strongest vocalist, his methodical, light tenor gives these songs a personal stamp. The first track, "What's Your Name" has Ware playing his naïve lothario act to the hilt. The magnificent "Love Is a Simple Thing," co-written by Chicago member Robert Lamm, possesses a chorus that is both poignant and uplifting.
This is the follow-up to 1981's much loved Rockin' You Eternally. While that effort had Ware engaged and willing to do rich and melodic work with no commercial consideration, Leon Ware more often than not seems to be overly concerned with making a big hit. Leon Ware was co-produced by Ware and the legendary Marty Paich. Although Paich had everyone from young Ella Fitzgerald to Boz Scaggs on his resumé, there wasn't much he could do with Ware. Paich also arranged the rhythm here, which is undoubtedly Ware's forte. That's not to say Leon Ware is a dismal failure – far from it. The first track "Slippin' Away" is Ware's best track here but it's reminiscent of a so-so track from Earth, Wind & Fire's Faces. In fact, Leon Ware employs some of the same players and writers from that effort…
50 Best Songs – The Motown Years: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 (also known as 50 Best Songs or The Motown Years) is a 3-disc compilation box set by American singer Michael Jackson, and the group The Jackson 5, released on 2008 by Universal Motown Records celebrating Jackson's 50 birthday. The 50-track album features all of the hits through the Motown years from both the Jackson 5 with “ABC”, “I Want You Back”, “Never Can Say Goodbye” and Michael's solo material including “You've Got A Friend”, “Ben”, “Ain't No Sunshine” and “One Day In Your Life” all of them during their tenure on Motown (1969-1975), with the exception of "Farewell My Summer Love" and "Girl You're So Together", which were released after they left the company (these tracks were released in 1984).
At last! - Liquid Spirits will release their new soul album Years in 2021. After their 2015 instrumental project, Evolution of the New Spirit, Liquid Spirits’ founders and producers Wiboud Burkens and Manuel Hugas started a collaboration with singer and songwriter Ivan Peroti. And working with Ivan’s soulful voice definitely brings all musical spirits to the next level! The new album evolved from the relentless quest to create unique and authentic songs; hand crafted by real musicians. Using modern techniques, they created 8 brand-new but analogue sounding, groovy tracks which ooze the love of soul classics and underground hip-hop and jazz vibes, graced by the warm vocals of Ivan Peroti.