Flowers is a studio album by the American girl group The Emotions, released in 1976 by Columbia Records. The album reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top R&B albums chart. Flowers has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Overview The group's first LP on Columbia Records, Flowers was produced by Charles Stepney and Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. The album was reissued with an 8-page booklet, liner notes, and a bonus track in 2012.
Critical reception
With a B grade, Robert Christgau of The Village Voice wrote, "Earth, Wind & Fire's girl group--literally. Whether it's Jeanette, Sheila, or Wanda who sounds like Diana Ross at a higher level of consciousness, the effect is exquisite." Amy Hanson of Allmusic, in a retrospective 3-out-of-5-star review, opined "Revamping their classic girl group soul sounds to incorporate the more eclectic nuances of (Maurice) White's production, the resultant brassed-up disco proved to be on target." She added, "With fellow Earth, Wind & Fire members Verdine and Fred White adding their unmistakable chops to the sound, the Emotions ultimately emerged with an absolutely stunning brew that kept their powerful vocal harmonies well spotlighted, while adding more than a little funk to the sound." Jim Arundel of Melody Maker also called Flowers "an incredibly short but definitely sweet album."
Singles The album's title track got to No.16 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No.2 on the NZ Top 40 Singles chart. Another single, "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love", reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart and No.13 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.
Track listing
Personnel The Emotions Sheila Hutchinson – vocals Wanda Hutchinson – vocals Jeanette Hutchinson – vocals
Musicians Verdine White – bass Larry Dunn – keyboards Al McKay, Joe Hutchinson Jr. – guitars Fred White – drums, percussion Oscar Brashear, Michael Harris – trumpets Don Myrick – alto saxophone Richard Brown – tenor saxophone Louis Satterfield – trombone Tom Tom 84 (Thomas Washington) – arranger Technical Recorded by Paul Serrano Ron Coro, Tom Steele – design Norman Seeff – photography
Charts Chart (1976)PeakU.S. Billboard Top LPs45U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs5
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions US Pop USR&B USDanNZ UK Pop1976 "Flowers" 87 16 —2 — "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" 51 13 4 40
References
External links Flowers at Discogs