L.T.D.
L.T.D. (which stands for Love, Togetherness, and Devotion) is an acclaimed American R&B and funk band renowned for their significant contributions to the music landscape, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s.
The group was initially formed in 1968 in Greensboro, North Carolina, originally under the name Love Men Ltd. The founding members included keyboardist Jimmie "JD" Davis and saxophonist Abraham Laboriel. The band underwent several lineup changes and rebranding before settling on the name L.T.D. in 1974 when they signed with A&M Records, which marked a significant turning point in their career and exposure in the music industry.
L.T.D. is characterized by its blend of funk, soul, and Quiet Storm genres, contributing to the rich landscape of R&B music. The group gained wide recognition with several hit singles. Their most famous song, "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again," released in 1977, topped the R&B charts and became a staple in the genre. Other notable singles include "Holding On (When Love Is Gone)" and "Love Ballad".
Notable members of L.T.D. have included lead singer Jeffrey Osborne, whose soulful voice and songwriting were instrumental in the group's success. Osborne, who was born on March 9, 1948, is a Grammy-nominated artist, and his contributions both as a vocalist and as a songwriter have left a lasting impression on the R&B genre. Other significant members included Johnny McGhee, Robert Santiel, and Toby Wynn.
Throughout their active years spanning from the late 1960s into the 2020s, L.T.D. has left an indelible mark on the music scene, influencing numerous artists and bands. Their songs, imbued with themes of love and unity, continue to resonate with audiences today, making them a significant part of the soul and R&B musical canon.
In summary, L.T.D.'s fusion of musical styles and their heartfelt lyrical content have established them as an enduring force in American music, celebrated for both their commercial success and artistic integrity.<div hidden>LTD</div>
Devotion
Arranged By [Horns] – Bobby Martin
Written-By – Abraham J. Miller, Jr., Jeffrey L. Osborne, John T. McGhee 5:18
A2 Share My Love
Arranged By [Strings] – James E. Davis
Written-By – Alvino M. Bennett
Written-By, Arranged By [Horns] – Henry E. Davis 4:20
A3 Stand Up L.T.D.
Arranged By [Horns] – Jake Riley
Written-By – L.T.D. 4:43
A4 Say That You'll Be Mine
Arranged By [Strings] – Bobby Martin
Written-By – Jeffrey L. Osborne
Written-By, Arranged By [Horns] – Henry E. Davis 5:04
B1 Dance 'N' Sing 'N'
Arranged By [Strings] – Bobby Martin
Written-By – Jeffrey L. Osborne
Written-By, Arranged By [Horns] – Jake Riley 5:32
B2 Sometimes
Arranged By [Horns, Strings] – Bobby Martin
Written-By – William M. Osborne, Jeffrey L. Osborne 3:09
B3 Promise You'll Stay
Arranged By [Strings] – Bobby Martin
Written-By, Arranged By [Horns] – Jeffrey L. Osborne, James E. Davis 3:20
B4 Stranger
Arranged By [Horns, Strings] – James E. Davis
Written-By – Jake Riley, Jeffrey L. Osborne 4:29
B5 Feel It
Arranged By [Strings] – Bobby Martin
Written-By, Arranged By [Horns] – William M. Osborne, Carle W. Vickers 3:44
Label: A&M Records – SP-4771
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco, Funk
L.T.D.'s 1979 album, Devotion, is a key R&B/Funk release featuring Jeffrey Osborne on lead vocals, known for danceable tracks like "Dance 'N' Sing 'N'" and soulful singles such as "Stranger," showcasing the band's signature blend of upbeat funk and smooth ballads, cementing their status as a prominent '70s group before Osborne's departure, with the album hitting #5 on the R&B charts.
A strong mix of infectious funk rhythms and classic soulful ballads, characteristic of L.T.D.'s sound., showcasing their ability to deliver both dancefloor fillers and heartfelt slower songs, it Reached #5 on the R&B Albums chart and #29 on the Billboard 200.
Devotion highlighted L.T.D.'s musical versatility, with fans praising its energetic funk and Osborne's smooth delivery.
It was a significant album leading up to Jeffrey Osborne's eventual departure, with some suggesting a slight shift in focus, though still maintaining high quality.
The album is often bundled with other L.T.D. classics like Something to Love and Shine On, making it a staple for fans of '70s R&B.
While some reviews noted the album felt slightly "uneven" and hinted at Jeffrey Osborne's potential disinterest near the end of his tenure with the group, it is still considered a "must have album" from the band's catalog by fans and critics. The album's strong tracks and the quality of Osborne's vocals contributed to its commercial success and lasting appeal within the R&B community.
Love To The World
Written-By – L. Mizell, F. Mizell, R. Mizell 5:07
A2 Time For Pleasure
Written-By – L. Mizell, F. Mizell, R. Mizell 5:20
A3 Love Ballad
Written-By – S. Scarborough 4:35
B1 Get Your It Together
Written-By – H. Davis, J. Osborne 4:48
B2 Let The Music Keep Playing
Written-By – H. Davis 4:22
B3 The Word
Written-By – L. Mizell, F. Mizell, R. Mizell 5:30
B4 Love To The World Prayer
Voice [Children] – Barbara Dice, Carolyn Dice, John "Bunky" Butler
Written-By – L. Mizell, F. Mizell, R. Mizell 3:49
Label: A&M Records – SP-4589
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
The L.T.D. album Love to the World is a critically acclaimed 1976 R&B/Soul record that transformed the band's career, largely due to the soaring vocals of lead singer Jeffrey Osborne and successful production by the Mizell Brothers. The album is celebrated for its mix of orchestral funk, disco grooves, and standout ballads.
The album was a breakthrough for the band, reaching No. 7 on the R&B albums chart and No. 52 on the Billboard 200. It established L.T.D. as a major force in 70s soul.
Critics and fans widely praise Jeffrey Osborne's "magical" and "spell-bounding" vocal performances, which are considered a highlight and helped put him on the map as a standout vocalist.
Produced by the acclaimed Larry and Fonce Mizell, the album features "sumptuously opulent and heavily orchestrated disco-soul" that elevated the band's existing sound. The production effectively combines the band's funky musicianship with a more refined, professional studio aesthetic.
Key Tracks:
"Love Ballad": This "Ultimate Slow Jam" became an R&B chart-topper and a Top 20 Pop hit, widely regarded as one of the greatest love songs of all time.
"Love To The World": The "glorious, uplifting, soulful" title track is a spiritual, funky message song that became a huge hit and the group's signature tune.
"The Word" and "Get Your It Together": These tracks are noted for their infectious grooves, demonstrating the band's strong musical chops and the Mizell brothers' distinct production influence.
The album is considered a "jewel" and a "perfect album" by many fans, praised for its fresh, bold, and consistent sound. It is seen as a landmark album that successfully blended different genres of the era (soul, funk, disco, jazz) and has stood the test of time as an essential piece of 70s R&B history.
One minor criticism in some CD reissues is the short running time (just over half an hour), which some reviewers felt offered less value for money compared to other releases. However, the music itself consistently receives high ratings from listeners and critics alike.
Togetherness
Arranged By [Horns, Strings] – Bobby Martin
Arranged By [Rhythm], Written-By – John T. McGhee
Arranged By [Vocals], Written-By – Jeffrey Osborne
Drums, Percussion [Additional] – Melvin D. Webb
3:57
A2 We Both Deserve Each Other's Love
Arranged By – James E. Davis
Arranged By [Vocals], Written-By – Jeffrey Osborne
Drums, Percussion – Jeffrey L. Osborne
Written-By – James Davis
3:05
A3 Jam
Arranged By [Horns] – Bobby Martin
Arranged By [Rhythm], Written-By – Jake Riley
Drums, Percussion – Jeffrey L. Osborne
Written-By – John T. McGhee
4:38
A4 You Must Have Known I Needed Love
Arranged By – Bobby Martin
Arranged By [Vocals], Written-By – Len Ron Hanks And Zane Grey
Drums, Percussion [Additional] – Melvin D. Webb
3:33
A5 Don't Stop Loving Me Now
Arranged By – Bobby Martin
Drums, Percussion [Additional] – Melvin D. Webb
Written-By – LeRoy M. Bell And Casey James
3:56
B1 It's Time To Be Real
Arranged By [Rhythm, Horns], Written-By – Henry Davis
Arranged By [Strings] – Bobby Martin
Arranged By [Vocals], Written-By – Jeffrey Osborne
Bass, Clavinet – Henry E. Davis
Drums, Percussion – Jeffrey L. Osborne
3:28
B2 Concentrate On You
Arranged By – Bobby Martin
Drums, Percussion – Jeffrey L. Osborne
Written-By – Harold Johnson
4:45
B3 You Fooled Me
Arranged By – Bobby Martin
Arranged By [Vocals], Written-By – Len Ron Hanks And Zane Grey
Drums, Percussion [Additional] – Melvin D. Webb
3:14
B4 Together Forever
Arranged By [Horns, Vocals], Clavinet, Drums, Electric Piano, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Piano [Acoustic], Written-By – Billy Osborne
Arranged By [Rhythm, Horns], Written-By – Carle Vickers
3:45
B5 Let's All Live And Give Together
Arranged By [Horns] – Jake Riley
Arranged By [Rhythm], Written-By – Billy Osborne
Arranged By [Strings] – Bobby Martin
Arranged By [Vocals], Written-By – Jeffrey Osborne
Drums, Percussion – Jeffrey L. Osborne
4:15
Label: A&M Records – SP-4705
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
L.T.D.'s 1978 album Togetherness is a platinum-selling funk/R&B record, known for its blend of smooth ballads and uptempo grooves, featuring #1 R&B hit "Holding On (When Love Is Gone)" and popular tracks like "We Both Deserve Each Other's Love" and "Jam," showcasing lead singer Jeffrey Osborne's vocals and solidifying the band's crossover appeal with Philly soul influences and classic funk arrangements.
Key Singles: "Holding On (When Love Is Gone)" (a #1 R&B hit) and "We Both Deserve Each Other's Love" (a Top 20 R&B hit).
Producer: Bobby Martin, who added Philly dance grooves.
Sound: A strong mix of soulful ballads and catchy funk tracks, with rich horn arrangements and tight rhythms.
Success: Became the band's most successful album, achieving platinum status.
Standout Tracks: "Jam," "Concentrate On You," "It's Time To Be Real," "Don't Stop Loving Me Now," and the gospel-infused "Let's All Live And Give Together".
Togetherness is considered a career highlight for L.T.D. and lead vocalist Jeffrey Osborne, demonstrating their ability to deliver both dancefloor fillers and heartfelt ballads, cementing their place among top crossover funk bands of the era.
LTD