Love or Physical

Love or Physical
Studio album by
Ashford & Simpson
Released1989
Studio
  • Above Asia, New York City
  • Science Lab, New York City
  • Axis Studios, New York City
  • Sigma Sound, New York City
LabelCapitol[1]
ProducerNickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Ashford & Simpson chronology
Real Love
(1986) 		Love or Physical
(1989) 		Been Found
(1996)

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]

Production

The title track was originally called "Honest to Goodness Love"; it in part alludes to AIDS and infidelity.[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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

All tracks are written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson; except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(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

  • 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

  • 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

  1. ^ "Jet's Top 20 Albums". Jet. Vol. 76, no. 6. May 15, 1989. p. 62.
  2. ^ Hiltbrand, David (Apr 10, 1989). "Picks & Pans—Song: Love or Physical". People. Vol. 31, no. 14. p. 23.
  3. ^ Kirk, Kris (Apr 15, 1989). "Two of a Kind". Melody Maker. Vol. 65, no. 15. p. 11.
  4. ^ Moon, Tom (30 June 1989). "Ashford and Simpson Will Be There for You". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 36.
  5. ^ Bessman, Jim (Sep 28, 1996). "Ashford & Simpson launch label". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 39. p. 9.
  6. ^ "Ashford & Simpson". Billboard.
  7. ^ Eichenberger, Bill (May 18, 1989). "Songwriters Change with Time". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 2.
  8. ^ "Ashford & Simpson Love or Physical". AllMusic.
  9. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 271.
  10. ^ a b Johnson, Connie (19 Mar 1989). "Ashford & Simpson 'Love or Physical'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 75.
  11. ^ Burnes, John (24 Mar 1989). "Critic's Choice". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. F4.
  12. ^ Gilbert, Calvin (March 10, 1989). "Ashford and Simpson sticking to classic themes". Fun. The Advocate. p. 2.
  13. ^ Radel, Cliff (March 17, 1989). "Ashford & Simpson, 'Love or Physical'". USA Today.
  14. ^ Samuels, Lennox (May 7, 1989). "Ashford and Simpson, Love or Physical". The Dallas Morning News. p. 12C.