The Whispers - Imagination (1980) (LP) - €10,00

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Imagination is the tenth studio album by American R&B/soul vocal group the Whispers, released on November 30, 1980, by SOLAR Records.

The Whispers did the most obvious thing after the success of their previous album, which is to try to repeat it. And they succeeded with Imagination, the opening one, two punch of Imagination and It's a Love Thing make sure of this. 

These two tracks, released as singles, are two of the best tracks from the group.

Imagination is full of similar quality tracks to those two mentioned, meaning we have another excellent album from The Whispers and Leon Sylvers' Solar Records.

This album isn't notably better or worse than its predecessor. Mostly it is more of the same, though the style has been updated a little. But not too much. 

Those who had liked The Whispers and stayed in touch with contemporary soul-based dance music through '80 very probably liked Imagination too. There are five uptempo tracks against three slow songs, and of the five, only "Up on Soul Train" isn't an unambiguous disco number – though it is danceable as well. 

"It's a Love Thing" appears as a slightly lengthy version, "I Can Make It Better" (a '81 single) and the title track more so.

The Whispers scored big with the number two Billboard R&B hit "It's a Love Thing." 

The rapidly paced single, seasoned with all the intangibles of a dance anthem, found a welcome mat on the pop charts as well, peaking at number 28. 

The second and only other single to chart was "I Can Make It Better." Co-written by two members from Lakeside, this dance cut showcases Walt and Scotty urgently delivering sympathetic lyrics supported by a funky groove. It only managed to hold on at number 40 after ten weeks. 

This album retains three splendid ballads ("Say You," "Girl I Need You," and "Fantasy") that never showed themselves on the charts. "Imagination," like the rest of this album, presses on in that uptempo vein with one appealing groove after another.

Side A

A1.  Imagination - 6:13

A2.  It’s A Love Thing - 5:09

A3.  Say You (Would Love For Me Too) - 5:00

A4.  Continental Shuffle - 4:31

Side B

B1.  I Can Make It Better - 7:13

B2.  Girl I Need You - 4:17

B3.  Up On Soul Train - 5:17

B4.  Fantasy - 4:20

Companies, etc.

• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Dick Griffey Productions
• Copyright © – Solar Records
• Recorded At – Studio Masters
• Mixed At – Larrabee Sound Studios
• Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
• Pressed By – RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis
• Distributed By – RCA Records
• Manufactured By – RCA Records
• Published By – Spectrum VII
• Published By – Yours, Mine & Ours
• Published By – Mykinda Music
• Published By – Hip Trip Music
• Published By – Whisperdex Music
• Published By – Circle Ⓛ Publishing
• Published By – Big Train Music

Credits

• A&R [A & R Coordination] – Dina Andrews, Marge Meoli
• Arranged By [Horns, Strings], Contractor [Horns], Trumpet – John Parrish
• Arranged By [Vocals] – Nicholas Caldwell
• Art Direction – Gribbitt!, Henry Vizcarra
• Bass – Melvin Coleman
• Concept By [Album Concept] – Nicholas Caldwell
• Contractor [Strings] – Janice Gower
• Drums – Kirk Perkins
• Flute – Melecio Megdaluyo
• French Horn – Barbara Korn, David Duke, Sidney Muldrew
• Guitar – Larry White
• Keyboards – Grady Wilkins, Kossi Gardner
• Mastered By – Wally Traugott
• Mixed By, Recorded By – Steve Hodge
• Percussion – Karl Dickens
• Photography By – Scott Hensel
• Producer – Dick Griffey, The Whispers
• Recorded By – Bob Brown 
• Saxophone – Fred Jackson, Sonny Lewis
• Trombone – Kraig Kilbey
• Trumpet – Bobby Bryant, Joe Ramano, Oscar Brashear

Recorded at Studio Masters, Los Angeles, CA.
Mixed at Larrabee Sound, Los Angeles, CA.
Mastered at Capitol Records, Los Angeles, CA.

Notes

Release:  1980

Format:  LP, Vinyl

Genre:  Soul, Solar Sound

Label:  Solar Records

Catalog#  BZL1-3578

Vinyl:  Goed (VG)

Cover:  Goed (VG)

Prijs: €10,00