Real Love (Ashford & Simpson album)
Real Love is an album by the American R&B duo Ashford & Simpson, released in 1986 via Capitol Records.[1][2]
Real Love | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1986 | |||
Studio | 39th Street Music Studios, New York City; Blank Tapes Studios, New York City; Unique Recording, New York City | |||
Genre | R&B, soul, pop | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Producer | Ashford & Simpson | |||
Ashford & Simpson chronology | ||||
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The album peaked at No. 74 on the Billboard 200.[3] It was nominated for a Grammy Award, in the "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" category.[4]
Production
All tracks from the album were written and produced by Ashford & Simpson.[5] Stevie Wonder contributed a harmonica solo to "Nobody Walks in L.A."[6]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | B[8] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Washington Post declared that Ashford & Simpson "haven't lost their knack for knockout hooks, and they have a talent for telling tales to suit the top ten."[5] Robert Christgau wrote that "not even 'Nobody Walks in L.A.', which makes good on its title but is too quirky and local for a single, takes it on home."[8] The Los Angeles Times thought that "Count Your Blessings" possesses "the slick, black adult-contemporary sound that has become Ashford and Simpson’s stock in trade."[11] The Gazette called the album "more seamless songs of love, loss and inspiration from the yuppies of soul."[12]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Ashford and Simpson
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Count Your Blessings" | 4:53 |
2. | "Real Love" | 4:03 |
3. | "Nobody Walks in L.A." | 5:38 |
4. | "How Does It Fit" | 4:08 |
5. | "Relations" | 5:17 |
6. | "What Becomes of Love" | 5:59 |
7. | "Way Ahead" | 4:01 |
8. | "10th Round" | 4:22 |
Personnel
- Nickolas Ashford - vocals
- Valerie Simpson - vocals, synthesizer
- Francisco Centeno - bass
- Joseph Joubert - synthesizer, arrangements
- Ivan Hampden - drums
- Jimmy Simpson - percussion, recording supervisor
- Vinny Della Rocca - saxophone
- Ray Simpson, Ullanda McCullough - backing vocals
- Stevie Wonder - harmonica in "Nobody Walks in L.A."
References
- "At Last, The Secret Is Out". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 20, 1986 – via Google Books.
- "Jet's Top 20 Albums". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. September 22, 1986 – via Google Books.
- "Ashford & Simpson". Billboard.
- "Ashford And Simpson". GRAMMY.com. November 23, 2020.
- "'Love' and Marriage". The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- "ASHFORD AND SIMPSON -- DYNAMIC DUO ON THE CHARTS". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- "Real Love - Ashford & Simpson | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- "Robert Christgau: CG: Ashford". www.robertchristgau.com.
- Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 271.
- The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 25.
- "R&B'S LOVE COUPLE". Los Angeles Times. August 24, 1986.
- Griffin, John (25 Sep 1986). "Ashford and Simpson - REAL LOVE (Capitol)". The Gazette. p. E3.