Reaching for the Sky is the second album by soul vocalist Peabo Bryson.

Reaching for the Sky
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 16, 1978
Recorded1977
Studio
  • P.S. Studios, Chicago, Illinois
  • Universal, Chicago, Illinois
  • ABC, Los Angeles, California
GenreSoul, funk
LabelCapitol
ProducerPeabo Bryson, Richard Evans
Peabo Bryson chronology
Peabo
(1976)
Reaching for the Sky
(1978)
Crosswinds
(1978)

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic     [1]

Released in 1978, Reaching for the Sky was Bryson's debut album on Capitol Records, charting with Quiet Storm staple "Feel the Fire" at number 13 on the R&B singles chart. This tune was covered by Stephanie Mills in 1979 on her What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin' album and again in 1980 by Teddy Pendergrass as a duet with Mills on his TP album. The midtempo title track, "Reaching for the Sky", was even more commercially successful, reaching number 6 on the R&B chart.

Track listing

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All songs written by Peabo Bryson

  1. "Reaching for the Sky" - 4:56
  2. "Feel the Fire" - 5:03
  3. "A Fool Already Knows" - 4:02
  4. "Hold On to the World" - 4:41
  5. "Love from Your Heart" - 5:22
  6. "Love Walked Out on Me" - 5:36
  7. "You Haven't Learned About Love" - 3:32
  8. "Have a Good Time" - 4:58

Personnel

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  • Peabo Bryson – lead and backing vocals
  • Paul Libman – keyboards
  • Terry Fryer – Moog synthesizer
  • Ross Traut – lead guitar, guitar solo (7)
  • Danny Leake – rhythm guitar
  • Larry Ball – bass
  • Morris Jennings – drums, percussion
  • Bobby Christian – vibraphone, percussion, bells
  • Sonny Seals – saxophone solo (8)
  • Richard Evans – arrangements
  • Dr. Warric Carter – horn and string arrangements, conductor
  • Johnny Pate – rhythm arrangements and conductor
  • Jynean Bell – backing vocals
  • Chuck Colbert – backing vocals
  • Sharon Johnson – backing vocals
  • Cynthia White – backing vocals

Production

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  • Producers – Peabo Bryson and Richard Evans
  • Executive Producer – Larkin Arnold
  • Recorded by Bob Brooks, Harry Brotman, Zollie Johnson, Barney Perkins, Jim Scheffler, Paul Serrano and Stu Walters.
  • Recorded and Mixed at P.S. Recording Studios (Chicago, IL).
  • Mastered by Ken Perry at Capitol Records (Hollywood, CA).
  • Art Direction – Roy Kohara
  • Design – Art Sims
  • Photography – Dick Zimmerman

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

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  1. ^ Wynn, Ron. Peabo Bryson: Reaching for the Sky > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  2. ^ "Peabo Bryson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  3. ^ "Peabo Bryson Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "Peabo Bryson US singles chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  7. ^ "American album certifications – Peabo Bryson – Reaching for the Sky". Recording Industry Association of America.