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.[1] From the early 1970s on, they also recorded several singles and albums under their own name.[1]
The Love Unlimited Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1973–1983 |
| Past members | John Roberts (Orchestra leader) David T. Walker Emmett North, Jr. Don Peake Ernie Watts Gene Page Kenny G Lee Ritenour Steve Guillory Sr. Wah Wah Watson (Melvin Ragin) Ray Parker Jr. Nathan East Wilton Felder Stella Castelucci And Others |
CareerEdit
Their biggest hit single 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.[2] The RIAA awarded a gold disc in February 1974.[2]
DiscographyEdit
AlbumsEdit
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Record label | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [3] |
US R&B [3] |
AUS [4] |
CAN [5] |
UK [6] | ||||||||||
| 1974 | Rhapsody in White | 8 | 2 | 26 | 7 | 50 | 20th Century | |||||||
| Together Brothers | 85 | 15 | — | — | — | |||||||||
| White Gold | 28 | 10 | 93 | 52 | — |
| ||||||||
| 1975 | Music Maestro Please | 94 | 14 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1976 | My Sweet Summer Suite | 123 | 35 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1978 | My Musical Bouquet | 201 | 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. | ||||||||||||||
SinglesEdit
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [3] |
US R&B [3] |
US A/C [3] |
US Dan [3] |
AUS [4] |
CAN [5] |
UK [6] | ||||||||
| 1973 | "Love's Theme" | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | 9 | 1 | 10 |
|
Rhapsody in White | ||||
| 1974 | "Rhapsody in White" | 63 | 48 | 34 | — | — | 63 | — | ||||||
| "Theme from Together Brothers" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Together Brothers | ||||||
| "Baby Blues" | 102 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rhapsody in White | ||||||
| 1975 | "Satin Soul" | 22 | 23 | 39 | 11 | — | 54 | — | White Gold | |||||
| "Forever in Love" | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | Music Maestro Please | ||||||
| "Midnight Groove" | 108 | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1976 | "My Sweet Summer Suite" | 48 | 28 | 30 | 1 | — | — | — | My Sweet Summer Suite | |||||
| "Brazilian Love Song" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1977 | "Theme from King Kong (Part 1)" | 68 | 15 | 27 | 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)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | 76 | 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. | ||||||||||||||
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ a b Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 330. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ a b c d e f "US Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ^ a b David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ a b "CAN Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". RPM. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "UK Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ^ a b c "US Certifications > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- ^ "The Love Unlimited Orchestra: Rhapsody in White". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
External linksEdit
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