Lenny Williams - Choosing You (LP 1977 ABC - CD Expanded Edition 2014 Soul Music) - Rare Soul (FLAC 330MB)

I reviewed the LP version on the old blog in mp3 but recently came across the superb CD Expanded edition so an UPGRADE....Leonard Charles Williams was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1945. and moved to Oakland, California, at an early age. Learning to play the trumpet in elementary school fueled his interest in music, his skills as a vocalist were first nurtured by singing in gospel choirs and groups around the Bay Area. He worked with several notable artists, such as Sly Stone, Andraé Crouch, Billy Preston and The Edwin hawkins Singers. After winning several local talent contests, Williams signed his first recording contract with Fantasy Records. He cut two singles for the label, including "Lisa's Gone" and "Feelin Blue", written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival. In 1972, Williams joined the emerging funk band Tower of Power. A string of hits followed, including "So Very Hard to Go", "What Is Hip", "Don't Change Horses (In The Middle of the Stream)" and "Willing To Learn". During his two years with the group, Williams participated in three albums, "Back To Oakland", "Urban Renewal" and the gold LP "Tower of Power". Williams and Tower of Power toured throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. While still with Tower of Power, he recorded his first solo album "Pray for the Lion" for Warner Bros. Records in 1974. At the end of 1975, Williams left the band and returned to his solo projects. Initially signing with Motown Records in 1975, he later moved to ABC Records in 1977 (which was then purchased by MCA Records in 1979). With producer/ Northern Soul legend Frank Wilson at the helm and songwriters such as Judy Wieder, Clay Drayton, Terry McFadden, and John Footman, over the next four years, he scored ten chart hits, including "Shoo Doo FuFu Ooh", "Choosing You", "You Got Me Running", "Love Hurt Me Love Healed Me", "Here's to the Lady," and "Midnight Girl". Williams recorded four more albums from 1977 to 1980: Choosing You, his first gold LP; Spark of Love (contains the hits "You Got Me Running", and "Cause I Love You" as well as "Midnight Girl"); Love Current; "Taking Chances" and Let's Do It Today.  Lenny Williams was a product of a pre-MTV era, in which talent and chops counted for more than image in R&B such is the power of the media. Although the former Tower of Power singer was considered attractive and could drive women wild especially when he was belting out a romantic Tower of Power ballad like "So Very Hard to Go" or "Willing to Learn" it was Williams' amazing vocal range that ultimately won over '70s soul audiences. One of the best solo albums that Williams recorded after leaving Tower in 1975 was this in 1977 "Choosing You", a generally excellent LP.  This is a very optimistic record & Lenny`s enthusiasm is hard to miss on upbeat offerings like "Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh!," "Look Up With Your Mind," and the pounding title song (which boasts an addictive groove that won't quit) going ballistic on the Northern Scene back in the day. "Choosing You" isn't a disco album, although its positive outlook reflects the feel good mentality of the disco era. This isn't to say that the lyrics aren't substantial on "Please Don't Tempt Me," for example, Williams portrays a married man who is battling the urge to commit adultery. Regrettably, "Choosing You" went out of print when ABC folded and when the 20th century came to an end, it had yet to be reissued on CD until Soul Music came to the rescue and re-issued this legendary album from the cob webs!..Highly Recommended, been playing it again today, cracking album!..With 17 solo albums and 40 x 45,s we can safely say lenny has left his musical mark in this world. Not a bad track on here wonderful album across the board for everyone.

 

AMM

 

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