New and Improved is the fifth album by American R&B group The Spinners, released in December 1974 on the Atlantic label. Like the Spinners' two previous Atlantic albums, New and Improved was produced by Thom Bell and recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.

History New and Improved became the Spinners' third consecutive R&B albums chart-topper and reached #9 on the Billboard 200, their first top 10 album on this chart. The album includes "Then Came You", featuring Dionne Warwick and the group's only single to top the Billboard Hot 100 (it was denied the top spot on the R&B chart by Kool & the Gang's "Higher Plane"), and the top 10 R&B singles "Living A Little, Laughing A Little" and "Sadie".

Track 3 titled "Then Came You", a duet with Dionne Warwick, was recorded first and released as a single in July 1974. The song was recorded in three stages. The rhythm track was recorded at Sigma Studios in Philadelphia. Then the lead vocals were recorded at the Beach Boys Studio in Los Angeles. Additional vocals, strings and horns were then added in Philadelphia. The song also appears on Warwick's album of the same title which was released in 1975.

Track 6 titled "Sadie" was covered by R. Kelly on his 1993 debut solo album 12 Play.

Track listing

Personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of New and Improved.

Musicians Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson – vocals Dionne Warwick – vocals on "Then Came You", track 3 Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram, Carla L. Benson, Yvette Benson – backing vocals Tony Bell, Bobby Eli, Don Murray – guitar Thom Bell – keyboards Walter Pfeil – harp Bob Babbitt – bass guitar Don Renaldo – strings Andrew Smith – drums Larry Washington – congas, bongos Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet Joe DeAngelis, Milt Phibbs, Danny Davis – French horn Freddie Joiner, Bobby Moore, Richie Genovese, Ed Cascarella – trombone Tom Kennery – steel guitar

Technical Don Murray, Jim Gallagher – recording engineer

Charts Chart (1974)PeakU.S. Billboard Top LPs9U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs1

Singles Year Single Peak chart positions US USR&B USA/C UK1974 "Then Came You" 1 2 3 291975 "Living a Little, Laughing a Little" 37 7 — — "Sadie" 54 7 — —

See also List of number-one R&B albums of 1975 (U.S.)

References Archive image 1 Archive image 2

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External links