The legacy of Barry White

Barry White, the giant of a man who gave romantic moments a special music score with his deep booming bass, passed away last Friday, July 4, at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 58. White may have lost in his long battle with kidney disease brought on by high blood pressure, but the music he created during the past 30 years will always be called on to set the stage for lovers of all ages in many parts of the world. In fact, I cannnot think of any singer now or in the future who can cover any of Barry’s hits. He was certainly unlike any other in the music business.

White, a giant of a man who looked more like a tough guy than the sex symbol he became, first made number one in the hit charts in 1974 with Love’s Theme by The Love Unlimited Orchestra. Love Unlimited was actually the name of a girl group and the orchestra with Barry as conductor and arranger was actually formed to provide accompaniment during their shows. Love’s Theme was intended as an overture to the debut album of the girls titled Under the Influence of Love Unlimited. But as it turned out, the Orchestra became more popular than the singers and while I do not think we will ever know what happened to that trio, the music of The Love Unlimited Orchestra will always be around.

As the producer of the Love Unlimited album, it can also be rightly said that White was responsible for the popularity of the extended dance track. Dance tunes of the period were a regular three to four minutes long but Love’s Theme segued to Under the Influence of Love and it kept dance floors moving for a long eight minutes each time it was played. White also made his debut as a performer and introduced his "pillow talk" vocals in Walkin’ in the Rain with the One I Love also with Love Unlimited. The success of the song led to his solo album as a singer. So after being a songwriter, producer, arranger since he was 17 and a singer since he was eight, Barry finally had his own hit. The song was I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little Bit More Baby.

This was later followed by Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe; You’re the First, the Last, My Everything; Never Never Gonna Give You Up; What am I Gonna Do with You; and It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me. White half crooned and half spoke seductive lyrics in his distinctive bass against the background lush melodies set to a disco beat. Hit sound was a sensation during the ’70s. The hits dwindled during the ’80s but the late ’90s found Barry back in power again, thanks to appearances in the TV shows Ally McBeal and The Simpsons. In fact, Barry won two Grammys in 2000 as Best Male and Best Traditional R&B Performance for Staying Power in the album of the same title. His last release was the double-disc Ultimate Collection, three years ago.

Jose Llana at the Podium

Enchanting music reigns at the Podium on Ortigas Center as Filipino Broadway star Jose Llana and top pianist and composer Willy Cruz join forces to launch their respective new album releases at 5 p.m. today.

Llana, who is in the country while on a break from Flower Drum Song will launch Jose, an album made up of some of the most beautiful Filipino songs ever written. Leading the line-up is the moving To Love You Once Again, a new work by Louie Ocampo, who also composed Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin, You are My Song and other big hits. Also included among others are Iduyan Mo, a duet with Regine Velasquez, Nais Ko featuring Sarah Geronimo, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Let the Pain Remain and Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan.

Willy will launch his second instrumental album for Viva Records. Titled Through the Rain, this is his follow-up to last year’s big seller, Got to Believe in Magic. The album is a mix of current hits and old favorites Willy performs on the piano. Among the tunes included are I Will be Here, You’re Still You, It Might be You, What Matters Most, Kahit Na, Kailangan Kita and the title track.