Phil and Brenda Nicholas
Phil and Brenda Nicholas are an acclaimed African-American husband-and-wife gospel duo, often called the "sweethearts of gospel" for pioneering Christian love songs that influenced church views on marriage. Hailing originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Phil) and Penns Grove/Salem, New Jersey (Brenda), they've been active since 1981.
Philip W. Nicholas was born February 18, 1954, in Philadelphia. Brenda L. Nicholas (née Watson) was born December 16, 1953, in Salem, New Jersey. After marrying, they moved to Los Angeles and served as ministers of music under pastor Dr. E.V. Hill.
They started as a quartet in 1981 with Tell the World on Message Records, scoring a hit with "God's Woman." Launching their own Command Records label in 1985, Dedicated topped Billboard's Gospel Albums chart as the year's #1 gospel album. Other charting albums include A Love Like This (#2), Live in Memphis (#10), More than Music (#14), and Back to Basics (#12).
The duo has toured worldwide, performed at venues like Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden, and appeared on shows including TBN and BET. They've earned Grammy, Dove, Stellar, and Excellence award nominations or wins, with hits like "A Love Like This" and "I Do" strengthening Christian marriages. Married over 36 years as of older bios, they continue ministering through music.
Back To Basics
2 Prayer Changes Things 4:30
3 It's Time To Do It 4:50
4 A Completed Woman 4:14
5 We're Gonna Have A Baby 4:50
6 It's Time To Do It (Reprise) 0:52
7 One Life, One Love 3:20
8 Yield Not To Temptation 5:04
9 In His Precense 4:35
10 Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On 4:04
11 Back To The Basics (There's No Other Way) 6:39
Label: Epic – EK 48786
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Gospel, Soul, New Jack Swing
Back to Basics, released around 1991, is a pop-soul-gospel album by Phil & Brenda Nicholas praised by some for dropping fussy arrangements, featuring catchy tracks like "How Long Can This Go On?", inspiring ballads like "Prayer Changes Things", and emotional depth, though one reviewer found the sentimentality and monologues cheesy despite solid music. It balances catchy danceable soul with inspirational themes, making it appealing to existing fans, even if some tracks feel a bit bland or overly sentimental.
A move away from overproduction, focusing on catchy pop-soul with danceable beats and soulful ballads. Highlights are:
"How Long Can This Go On?" is noted as a potential radio hit with a great dance beat.
"Prayer Changes Things" offers soulful inspiration.
"We're Gonna Have a Baby" showcases their personal lives.
Some found the spoken monologues embarrassing and overly sentimental. A few tracks are considered bland soul, despite good vocals from Brenda.
Fans enjoyed the return to basics and the mix of upbeat and ballad tracks. It was seen as a solid effort for fans, balancing popular appeal with spiritual themes.
The album is considered part of their broader discography that explores deep emotions, including their experience with their son's Down Syndrome in later works.