Friday Flashback :: L.T.D.'s Love To The World
One of the best R&B/Funk groups ever, L.T.D. brought strong southern sensibilities to music throughout the 1970's and 80's. Formed in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1968, the band was kind of a musical reflection of the times for black folk throughout the nation, hence the name they chose, L.T.D. -- or the long-form version: Love, Togetherness, and Devotion.
In 1976, shortly after drummer/vocalist Jeffrey Osborne came on board, they released Love To The World, an album wirh seven tight tracks, including today's flashback. With Osborne singing lead, and the Mizells -- Fonce, and Larry -- on production, L.T.D. delivered a string of rich, lyrical songs, and developed into one of the best bands during the heyday of R&B. Their best tracks spotlighted Osborne's powerful, expressive tenor, with accompaniment inflected with lots of bluesy arrangements. This LP in particular is one of my favorite musical memories from childhood (L.T.D. is one of my mom's all-time favorite bands), as they were played a lot as I was growing up.
Today's focus is the jazzy, almost spiritual title track, "Love to the World." Take a moment to listen to the lyrics: it's basically L.T.D.'s wish for peace and God's intervention in a world gone nuts. "Heaven help us," goes the refrain, building throughout 'til the end, when almost accapella, the band begins the chorus "Love...Love to the world...Love!" That's a powerful message, combined with some damn good musicianship.
I've linked in a reedit of the song by Danny Krivit, which features the reprise, "Love to the World Prayer," as well. Danceable, but just as easy to listen to while sitting around the house, featuring a great message, and superb production, "Love To The World" is a timeless classic, worthy of inclusion in your electronic music library. It's a bit longish at over seven minutes, but once you start bouncing in your seat, you'll certainly replay it again!
The FMF for Friday, December 7, 2007: L.T.D.'s "Love To The World."
L.T.D. :: "Love To The World"
Album: Love to the World
Released: 1976
Billboard peak: #8 Disco Singles, #27 Black Singles
Play the Track: Love To The World (to download, Mac users, Control-click, and choose 'Save Link As...' Windows users right-click the link and choose 'Save Target As...').
In 1976, shortly after drummer/vocalist Jeffrey Osborne came on board, they released Love To The World, an album wirh seven tight tracks, including today's flashback. With Osborne singing lead, and the Mizells -- Fonce, and Larry -- on production, L.T.D. delivered a string of rich, lyrical songs, and developed into one of the best bands during the heyday of R&B. Their best tracks spotlighted Osborne's powerful, expressive tenor, with accompaniment inflected with lots of bluesy arrangements. This LP in particular is one of my favorite musical memories from childhood (L.T.D. is one of my mom's all-time favorite bands), as they were played a lot as I was growing up.
Today's focus is the jazzy, almost spiritual title track, "Love to the World." Take a moment to listen to the lyrics: it's basically L.T.D.'s wish for peace and God's intervention in a world gone nuts. "Heaven help us," goes the refrain, building throughout 'til the end, when almost accapella, the band begins the chorus "Love...Love to the world...Love!" That's a powerful message, combined with some damn good musicianship.
I've linked in a reedit of the song by Danny Krivit, which features the reprise, "Love to the World Prayer," as well. Danceable, but just as easy to listen to while sitting around the house, featuring a great message, and superb production, "Love To The World" is a timeless classic, worthy of inclusion in your electronic music library. It's a bit longish at over seven minutes, but once you start bouncing in your seat, you'll certainly replay it again!
The FMF for Friday, December 7, 2007: L.T.D.'s "Love To The World."
L.T.D. :: "Love To The World"Album: Love to the World
Released: 1976
Billboard peak: #8 Disco Singles, #27 Black Singles
Play the Track: Love To The World (to download, Mac users, Control-click, and choose 'Save Link As...' Windows users right-click the link and choose 'Save Target As...').
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