Love or Physical is an album by the American musical duo Ashford & Simpson, released in 1989.[2][3] The first single was "I'll Be There for You".[4] The duo would not record another album until 1996's collaboration with Maya Angelou, Been Found.[5] The album peaked at No. 135 on the Billboard 200.[6]
| Love or Physical | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Label | Capitol[1] | |||
| Producer | Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson | |||
| Ashford & Simpson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe title track was originally called "Honest to Goodness Love"; it in part alludes to AIDS and infidelity.[7]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [9] |
| Los Angeles Times |  [10] |
The Los Angeles Times wrote that "In Your Arms" "is the loveliest and most genuinely sensual ballad this husband-and-wife duo has recorded in a long time."[10] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted that "their sound is impeccably produced but actually quite sparse in spots."[11]
The Advocate stated that "the title track is a fresh urban-contemporary approach to male-female relationships."[12] USA Today concluded that the album "goes beyond carnal concerns and explores deeper matters."[13] The Dallas Morning News concluded that "it's still a pleasure to listen when the vocal interplay between these two veterans turns dexterous, as it does on the romantic ballad 'I'll Be There for You'."[14]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson; except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love or Physical" | 4:24 | |
| 2. | "I'll Be There for You" | 4:38 | |
| 3. | "Comes with the Package" | 4:15 | |
| 4. | "Til We Get It Right" | 5:07 | |
| 5. | "Something to You" | 4:59 | |
| 6. | "In Your Arms" | Bruce Roberts, Edgar Bronfman, Jr. | 4:39 |
| 7. | "Cookies and Cake" | 4:43 | |
| 8. | "Timing" | 4:52 |
Personnel
edit- Nickolas Ashford – vocals, arrangements (1, 2, 4-8), additional percussion (1, 8), drum programming (2, 7), percussion (2, 7), backing vocals (4)
- Valerie Simpson – vocals, arrangements (1, 2, 4-8), additional synthesizers (1), synthesizers (2, 4, 5), additional percussion (1, 8), drum programming (2, 7), percussion (2, 7), backing vocals (4), synth solo (7)
- Kevin Jones – Synclavier programming
- Danny Sembello – keyboards (1), keyboard solo (1), synthesizers (1, 8), drum programming (1, 8), arrangements (1, 8)
- Joseph Joubert – additional synthesizers (1, 6, 7), synthesizers (2, 4, 5), arrangements (2, 4, 5)
- David Frank – synthesizers (3), arrangements (3)
- Leon Pendarvis – synthesizers (6), arrangements (6)
- Lenny Underwood – keyboard overdubs (7)
- Ira Siegel – guitars (3, 6)
- Nile Rodgers – guitars (8)
- Jimmy Bralower – drum programming (4-6)
- Bashiri Johnson – congas (5), percussion (5)
- V. Jeffrey Smith – saxophone solo (5)
- Mic Murphy – arrangements (3)
- Edgar Bronfman Jr. – arrangements (6)
- Bruce Roberts – arrangements (6)
Production
edit- Ashford & Simpson – producers (1, 2, 4-8)
- David Frank & Mic Murphy – producers (3)
- Kevin Jones – recording (1, 2, 4-8), vocal recording (7, 8)
- Stephen Seltzer – recording (3), mix assistant (3)
- Jimmy Simpson – vocal recording (7, 8)
- Michael Hutchinson – mixing (1-6), supervision (1-6)
- François Kervorkian – mixing (7, 8), guitar recording (8)
- Nick Delre – mix assistant (1, 2, 4-6)
- Goh Hotoda – mix assistant (7, 8)
- George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
- Tee Alston – album coordinator
- Tommy Steele – art direction
- Susan Silton – design
- Timothy White – album photography
- James Finney – hair, make-up
References
edit- ^ "Jet's Top 20 Albums". Jet. Vol. 76, no. 6. May 15, 1989. p. 62.
- ^ Hiltbrand, David (Apr 10, 1989). "Picks & Pans—Song: Love or Physical". People. Vol. 31, no. 14. p. 23.
- ^ Kirk, Kris (Apr 15, 1989). "Two of a Kind". Melody Maker. Vol. 65, no. 15. p. 11.
- ^ Moon, Tom (30 June 1989). "Ashford and Simpson Will Be There for You". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 36.
- ^ Bessman, Jim (Sep 28, 1996). "Ashford & Simpson launch label". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 39. p. 9.
- ^ "Ashford & Simpson". Billboard.
- ^ Eichenberger, Bill (May 18, 1989). "Songwriters Change with Time". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 2.
- ^ "Ashford & Simpson Love or Physical". AllMusic.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 271.
- ^ a b Johnson, Connie (19 Mar 1989). "Ashford & Simpson 'Love or Physical'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 75.
- ^ Burnes, John (24 Mar 1989). "Critic's Choice". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. F4.
- ^ Gilbert, Calvin (March 10, 1989). "Ashford and Simpson sticking to classic themes". Fun. The Advocate. p. 2.
- ^ Radel, Cliff (March 17, 1989). "Ashford & Simpson, 'Love or Physical'". USA Today.
- ^ Samuels, Lennox (May 7, 1989). "Ashford and Simpson, Love or Physical". The Dallas Morning News. p. 12C.