2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One

2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One is the only album by American vocal group Ponderosa Twins Plus One, released in 1971 through Horoscope Records. The album was produced by Bobby Massey of the O'Jays and Michael Burton, a songwriter and producer of All Platinum Records.[2]

2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One
Studio album by
Released1971
StudioAgency (Cleveland)[1]
GenreSoul, R&B, funk
Length36:28
LabelHoroscope
ProducerBobby Massey, Michael Burton
Singles from 2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One
  1. "You Send Me"
    Released: 1971
  2. "Bound"
    Released: 1971

The album spawned two singles, a cover of Sam Cooke's "You Send Me", and "Bound".[2] "You Send Me" became the band's most successful single release,[3] and both songs charted on Billboard's Best Selling Soul Singles.[4][5] The track "Bound" was sampled by Kanye West in his 2013 song, "Bound 2". This was followed by a set of copyright infringement lawsuits by the ex-Ponderosa Twins Plus One member Ricky Spicer, directed at West and related parties.[6][7] The same track was sampled in 2019 by Tyler, the Creator’s "A Boy Is a Gun", for which Bobby Massey received sample credits on.[8]

The album was reissued on vinyl in Japan by P-Vine Records in 1990.[2] After West's sampling led to resurged interest in the group, the album was reissued again in 2013 and 2022.

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [2]

AllMusic reviewer Andrew Hamilton compared the production work of Bobby Massey and Michael Burton, stating that "Massey's sides were the most interesting"; "He knew how to record them, Burton saddled them with a tinny, kiddie sound, and a couple of his productions/compositions are far too strident for ears." Hamilton also noted "You Send Me," "Bound," "I Remember You," and "Dad I Love Her" as "album highlights."[2]

Track listing edit

  1. "Love You While You Wait" (Burton)
  2. "Hey Girl" (Chuck Brown, Bobby Dukes)
  3. "Turn Around You Fool" (Burton)
  4. "Touchdown" (Dukes, Massey)
  5. "That's What I'll Do" (Burton)
  6. "Bound" (Dukes, Massey)
  7. "You Send Me" (Sam Cooke)
  8. "Take Me Back" (Burton)
  9. "Like The Big Boys" (Brown)
  10. "Dad, I Love Her" (Burton)
  11. "I Remember You" (Dukes, Massey)
  12. "Mama's Little Baby" (Burton)

Personnel edit

Ponderosa Twins Plus One
  • Alfred Pelham
  • Alvin Pelham
  • Keith Gardner
  • Kirk Gardner
  • Ricky Spicer
Technical personnel
  • Bobby Massey - production
  • Michael Burton - arrangement

Charts positions edit

Singles
Year Song Chart Peak
position
1971 "You Send Me" Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles 23[4]
"Bound" 47[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Brewer, Eric Jonathan. "Kanye West releases Ponderosa Twins' "Bound" from Clevelander Chuck Brown's record label". clevelandchallenger.com. Cleveland Challenger. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hamilton, Andrew. "The Ponderosa Twins Plus One - 2 + 2 + 1 = Ponderosa Twins Plus One". AllMusic. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  3. ^ Bottstein, Dan (April 1972). "Gold for All Platinium policy". Billboard. Vol. 84, no. 17. p. 54. ISSN 0006-2510.
  4. ^ a b "Soul Singles chart". Billboard. Vol. 83, no. 46. November 1971. p. 50. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. ^ a b "Best Selling Soul Singles". Billboard. Vol. 84, no. 2. January 1972. p. 28.
  6. ^ Minsker, Evan (December 24, 2013). "Kanye West Sued Over "Bound 2" Sample". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  7. ^ Hogan. Marc (April 21, 2014). "Kanye West's 'Bound 2' Legal Fight Hits Vogue". Spin. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  8. ^ "Try the TIDAL Web Player".

External links edit