Search - Love Unlimited Orchestra, Barry White :: Rise

A Change Can Do You Good!

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 06/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1983 Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestra released their final recording 'Rise'. As stated in an earlier review this album is very much a radical departure from earlier albums that showcased more lush "orchestrated" arrangements. The kind of music that is featured on 'Rise' is a unique and quirky mixture of then-contemporary electro funk (with stripped down new wave overtones) and latin jazz-pop-the first aspect of which actually sounds very very close to the recent music produced by Outkast and Gnarls Barkly. The two opening cuts "Take A Good Look" and "My Laboratory (Is Ready For You)"-the most famous song here are the primary examples of the "new sound"-same goes for the playful "Do It To The Music...Please"-all three feature heavy percussion and blippy keyboards popping in almost as puncuation.The "old" Barry White,with the deep voiced cooing appeal appears (briefly) on "After Five";that and "Anna Lisa" showcase a more ballad sound."In Brazil" is a very rousing 80's Brazillian R&B/funk free-for-all,not that far removed from George Duke and Deodato's forways into the genre."Goodbye Concerto" is another cut more representaive of the LUO's classic sound except the live drumming is replaced with polyrhythmic "syndrums";the overall feel is kind of like electro computer Love Unlimited orchestration. Taken with the times this album probably puzzled most people,especially fans of classic Barry White. But taken with todays music this album (if you can find the CD reasonably priced) this is actually pretty innovative in terms of what is contemporary now.Something tells me...one day (maybe not now) this album will take on the mystique of something like Shuggie Otis's Inspiration Information and be reissued by someone in the context of it's connection to modern music.However it happens this is a big surprise people should know more about."

The last album of "the Maestro's" Love Unlimited Orchestra

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 07/07/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Though the ensemble would continue to back the late Barry White in concert and in the studio, "Rise" marked the last time it would be featured as a "solo" recording act. Perhaps, it was just as well, for this album is probably the weakest ever released by LUO.White provided the lead vocals for several of the tracks, but he sounds indifferent and passionless, not the same voice that made so many "bedroom pleas" in his illustrious career.Having seen both White and the orchestra in concert over a decade ago, I knew the capabilities of the group. The melding of the rhythm section, the horns and strings, and White's remarkable bass produced a sound like no other. However, White wanted to do something radically different on this offering. Trying for a less "orchestral" sound, the string section, so prominent in earlier recordings, was left in the background. This move was an injury to the group's trademark sound. Only the last cut, a fittingly entitled "Goodbye Concerto" is reminiscent of the group's earlier hits.On this last effort, Love Unlimited Orchestra didn't "rise" to the occasion."