Leon Ware
Leon Ware was an influential American songwriter, producer, composer, and singer from Detroit, Michigan, renowned for his work in soul and R&B music. Born on February 16, 1940, he began his career in the 1960s, starting in a vocal group called the Romeos with Lamont Dozier and Ty Hunter before working as an arranger and songwriter at ABC Records. He joined Motown in 1967, writing hits for artists like the Isley Brothers, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Jackson 5, including Michael Jackson's "I Wanna Be Where You Are" co-written with T-Boy Ross.
Ware's biggest breakthrough came in 1976 when he co-produced and co-wrote Marvin Gaye's iconic album I Want You, contributing sensual tracks that became cult classics. He also worked with luminaries like Quincy Jones, Minnie Riperton, Maxwell, Ike & Tina Turner (co-writing much of their 1971 album 'Nuff Said), and Donny Hathaway. His songs have been sampled by artists including Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, and A Tribe Called Quest.
Ware released his debut solo album, Leon Ware, on United Artists in 1972, followed by Musical Massage (1976) on Motown's Gordy label, which gained a cult following despite poor promotion. Later albums included Inside Is Love (1979), Rockin' You Eternally (1981), Leon Ware (1982), and Undercover (1987), with varying chart success. He continued releasing music into the 2000s, including Moon Ride (2008) and collaborations like Omar's Love in Beats (2017).
Deeper
Producer – John Barnes, Leon Ware
Written-By – John Barnes, Leon Ware
5:54
2 Stop Talkin' & Fall In Love
Featuring [Performed With] – Janis Siegel
Producer – Leon Ware
Written-By – Janis Siegel, Leon Ware
4:17
3 Live In Your Love Forever
Producer – Leon Ware
Written-By – Leon Ware
6:13
4 How Deep Does It Go
Producer – John Barnes, Leon Ware
Written-By – John Barnes, Leon Ware
4:46
5 I've Never Loved So Much
Producer – John Barnes, Leon Ware
Written-By – John Barnes, Leon Ware
4:48
6 Givin' It Up
Producer – Leon Ware
Written-By – Charles Fearing, Leon Ware
4:33
7 Heartbeat
Producer – Leon Ware
Written-By – Leon Ware
4:50
8 I Wish You Knew
Producer – Leon Ware
Written-By – Leon Ware
6:29
9 Shoulda Been You
Producer – Leon Ware
Written-By – Leon Ware
5:07
10 To Serve You (All My Love)
Producer, Arranged By – Leon Ware
Written-By – Leon Ware
4:24
Label: P-Vine Records – PCD-25017
Format: CD, Album
Country: Japan
Released: 2003
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Soul
Leon Ware
Written by David Foster, David Paich, Leon Ware
4:11
2 Lost In Love With You
Written by Geoffrey Leib
3:52
3 Shelter
Written by Allee Willis, Leon Ware
3:56
4 Why I Came To California
Written by Janis Siegel, Leon Ware
4:10
5 Deeper Than Love
Written by Leon Ware, Marcos Valle
3:23
6 Can I Touch You There
Written by W. Beck, C. Willis, J. Williams, L. Ware
4:05
7 Words Of Love
Written by Marti Sharron, Zenobia Conkerite
4:35
8 Miracles
Written by Bill Champlin, Leon Ware
4:06
9 Somewhere
Written by L. de Oliveira, L. Ware, M. Valle
4:15
10 Where Are They Now
Written by John Bettis, Richard Kerr
4:21
Label: Elektra – E1-60050
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: R&B Soul, Disco, Jazz-Funk
Musical Massage
A2 Instant Love (Jackie Hilliard, Leon Ware 3:27)
A3 Body Heat (Bruce Fisher, Leon Ware, Quincy Jones, Stan Richardson 4:50)
A4 Share Your Love (T-Boy Ross, Leon Ware, Pam Sawyer 3:30)
A5 Holiday (Leon Ware 3:25)
B1 Phantom Lover Jackie Hilliard, Leon Ware 3:52)
B2 Journey Into You (Leon Ware, Terri McFaddin 4:04)
B3 Musical Massage (Leon Ware 3:47)
B4 French Waltz (Leon Ware 2:02)
B5 Turn Out The Light (Leon Ware, Minnie Riperton, Richard Rudolph 4:01)
Label: Gordy – G6-976S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Motown
Leon Ware's Musical Massage is a 1976 soul album praised as a sensual, sensual masterpiece and a cult classic that was overshadowed by Marvin Gaye's I Want You, for which Ware was a key songwriter. The album is noted for its smooth, lush orchestrations, Ware's velvety vocals, and a luxurious, funky sound that is often compared to Gaye's work, but with a distinct and equally compelling quality. Key tracks include "Body Heat," "Instant Love," and the title track, "Musical Massage".
The album is a prime example of 1970s soul, with a sensual, luxurious feel driven by plush string arrangements and a tight rhythm section featuring musicians like James Gadson and Chuck Rainey. It's often described as both seductive and funky.
Ware's vocals are smooth and captivating, often compared to Marvin Gaye's, though with his own distinct and mellifluous tone. He is also accompanied by a female choir and features duets with Minnie Riperton and Bobby Womack.
Musical Massage was recorded shortly after Ware helped shape Marvin Gaye's I Want You, and the two albums share a similar vibe, with many songs from Musical Massage originally intended for the Gaye project. Ware's album was released to little fanfare, possibly due to its similarity to Gaye's more commercially successful album.
Despite its initial lack of commercial success, Musical Massage has gained a dedicated following over time and is now recognized as a cult classic and a watermark for both Ware and Motown.