L.J. Reynolds<div hidden>LJ Reynolds</div>
L.J. Reynolds is a renowned American soul and R&B singer best known as the longtime lead vocalist of The Dramatics.
Born Larry James Reynolds on January 27, 1952, in Saginaw, Michigan, he began performing at age five as a tap dancer in Ziggy Johnson's High Steppers troupe. During one show, audience members threw money on stage after he sang, prompting him to focus on singing over dancing.
At 17, Reynolds moved to New York City and became lead singer of Chocolate Syrup, which had a moderate hit with "Let One Hurt Do" in 1971. He later returned to Saginaw before joining other short-lived groups like The Relations.
In 1972, he temporarily replaced lead singer William "Wee Gee" Howard in The Dramatics, a rising soul group, and stayed for eight years, contributing to hits like those from their debut album Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get. Reynolds co-wrote and produced tracks on later albums such as The Dramatic Jackpot (1975).
He pursued solo work in 1985 with Fantasy Records, scoring a moderate hit with a secular version of "Tomorrow," but paused for a Dramatics reunion in 1987. Reynolds assumed leadership of The Dramatics after Ron Banks' death in 2010 and continues performing as of recent years.
Lovin’ Man
A2 Don't Give Up On Us 4:45
A3 Don't Let Nobody Hold You Down 4:30
A4 Don't Worry 3:14
B1 Touch Down 4:10
B2 Love Take 2 4:20
B3 Weigh All The Facts 4:25
B4 Love Me All Over 4:00
Label: Mercury – 422-818 479-1 M-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Soul, Funk
Lovin' Man is a 1984 solo album by American R&B and soul artist L.J. Reynolds, who is best known as the lead vocalist for the vocal group The Dramatics. The album is considered a modern soul and funk record.
The album features several tracks produced by Reynolds himself and showcases his unique vocal style. While the original 1984 LP contained 8 tracks, later remastered and expanded CD editions include bonus tracks, bringing the total to 12.
One notable inclusion is a remake of his own self-penned song "Key to the World," which was a track he first recorded for his 1981 Capitol debut solo album and remained popular with his audience during live performances. The album is a key part of his solo discography between his time with The Dramatics and his later solo work.
While L.J. Reynolds had some successful singles as a solo artist, his 1984 album Lovin' Man did not make it into the major US Billboard album charts.
He released several solo albums throughout the 1980s that were critically well-received within the soul community, but according to sources, he never achieved a major hit album that "exploded" on the charts as a solo artist. However, some of his solo singles released around that period, such as "Key to the World" and "Touch Down," did manage to reach the R&B Top 30 chart.