The Golden Era of Love Unlimited
December 23, 2008 by admin
Filed under Featured Artists
Love Unlimited were a popular Soul Group of 1972-1980 and were formed by three sisters. Diane Taylor, Lindo James and Glodean James formed this band in 1969. The band gave numerous hit numbers and was known for its champagne soul. Barry White, husband of Goldean James also participated in the band with luscious melodies in sound tracks. The pleasant vocals by Barry gave the group another star.
Their golden era was the period between 1972-1980 when the R&B band gave hits like “Walking in the Rain with the One I Love” and “Love’s Theme” which topped the charts and by far are their biggest hits. The main attraction was three stunning ladies in the band and these girls were leaders of their groups in the early 1970’s. It was Barry who had earlier intended to create an all girl group which was formulated by him in the “Love Unlimited” band.
To every girl’s surprise, the sisters were never into professional singing or did not even take professional classes before starting their band. This gave most girls the power and inspiration to promote the talent. The sisters worked hard after forming the band and worked together for a couple of years to get their chops together. The first song track by them marked their presence in R&B music world with multiple hits following. The greatest hits from the band include their “Walking in the Rain with the One I Love” which was released in their dreamy tour de force.
The band got much appreciation in the previous years and in 1980 their final album hit the charts with huge success. In December 1999, Glodean White, who had played as vocalist in “Love Unlimited” was featured on VH1’s Behind the Music. The show was a great success and featured some performance footage of the three girls from the beginning of Love Unlimited.
The numerous albums released by the band include:
1. Love Unlimited – which was released in 1972 – (Big Hit)
2. Under The Influence Of Love Unlimited - which was released in 1973
3. In Heat – which was released in 1974
4. He’s All I’ve Got – released in 1976
5. Love Is Back – released in 1979.
Some wonderful compilations from the band featured “Grand Gala” in 1973 and “The Best Of Our Love” in 1980.
The sisters’ orchestra had been around for a very short while but left its mark in the R&B music world and is still heard by most soul purists who love soul music from the 1980’s.
The lifespan of the group was very short and with few albums, these three sisters had gained much stardom and recognition. Their hits are still played by some old radio stations and the music is really mesmerizing. Soul Music is the choice of most soul purists and any purists can not ignore “Love Unlimited” as a quality band. With Barry White supporting the band, melodious vocals and luscious melodies were put on their soundtracks which marked the quality of music released by this group.
Their contribution to the music fraternity is remarkable and the quality music released by band is still popular.
TJ Grooves
Rare Soul Grooves & Soul Music TV
I remember “Walking in the Rain with the One I Love” being played on the radio and it did have a certain dreamy quality that was quite hypnotic. Love Unlimited never managed quite the wide appeal of a girl band like the Supremes, even with their deliberate similarities in style and looks, but for a short while with the assistance of Barry White they were all the rage.
Barry’s delightful Love Unlimited get a tough rap cos they included his wife Glodean, but I think they would have done well even without Mr White’s patronage - they had talent, looks and tenacity - all you need to survive in the music industry - oh and luck and hard work!
Did you know that Love Unlimited was also backed by a 40-piece string-laden orchestra, called, of course, the Love Unlimited Orchestra who also recorded several albums under their own name. Their biggest hit single was 1973’s instrumental disc, “Love’s Theme”. The orchestra also worked with Barry White.
In 2003 I read that the group was planning a reunion, only to see DeeDee (Diane White) lose her battle with cancer and pass away. With her death, and since Barry White died that year too, we will probably never hear from this band again, unfortunately.