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. From the early 1970s on, they also recorded several singles and albums under their own name.
Career The orchestra was originally formed in 1972 to back White's female vocal group Love Unlimited for their debut album. The following year they began supporting White for his solo debut, I've Got So Much to Give.
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. The RIAA awarded a gold disc in February 1974. The hit was included on the orchestra's debut album, Rhapsody in White, issued in 1974.
Two follow-up albums, the soundtrack for the film Together Brothers and White Gold, were released later that year. White Gold featured the single "Satin Soul", which peaked at number 22 on the Billboard pop charts in early 1975. In 1976, Kenny Gorelick, later known as Kenny G, joined the orchestra as a saxophonist. Ray Parker Jr. was also a member in the mid-1970s.
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, featured composer and arranger Webster Lewis. Their final album, Rise, was issued in 1983.
Discography Albums Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Record label US US R&B AUS CAN UK 1974 Rhapsody in White 8 2 26 7 50 RIAA: Gold BPI: Silver 20th Century Together Brothers (soundtrack) 96 33 — — — White Gold 28 10 93 52 — RIAA: Gold 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 Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album US USR&B USA/C USDan AUS CAN UK 1973 "Love's Theme" 1 10 1 — 9 1 10 RIAA: Gold Rhapsody in White 1974 "Rhapsody in White" 63 48 — — — 63 — "Theme from Together Brothers" — — — — — — — Together Brothers "Baby Blues" 102 — — — — — — Rhapsody in White 1975 "Satin Soul" 22 23 — 1 — 54 — White Gold "Forever in Love" — 22 — — — — — Music Maestro Please "Midnight Groove" 108 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
External links
Discogs.com