An eclectic array of songs colors the romantic new series, “From the Heart,” a rapturous collection of classic tunes by nine artists that will be introduced for Valentine’s Day and Black History Month with marketing plans and promotions set to continue into May for Mother’s Day and June for Black Music Month. The featured artists include: Air Supply (Arista/ Legacy), Babyface (Epic/Legacy), Miles Davis, (Columbia/ Legacy), Aretha Franklin (Columbia/Arista/Legacy), Billie Holiday (Columbia/Legacy), the Isley Brothers, (T-Neck/Epic/ Legacy),Barry Manilow (Arista/ Legacy), Dolly Parton (RCA/ Legacy),Frank Sinatra (Columbia/RCA Victor/Legacy) and Etta James (RCA/Legacy).
Last year around this time, we introduced the brilliant collections of Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Barry Manilow, and Frank Sinatra, all of which are highly recommended for your record library and iPod. This year, we will focus on the work of Air Supply, Baby Face, Dolly Parton, the Isley Brothers, and Etta James.
Air Supply–the Australian group led by Russell Hitchcock and the main songwriter, Graham Russell–produced a dozen top-charted singles in the ’80s,earning 10 times platinum LP sales in the U.S. alone. Packed with hits, their first three Arista albums include the double-platinum “Lost in Love” and the platinum albums “The One that You Love” and “Now and For- ever.” Amongst the moving selections on the 14-track album are “Every Woman in the World,” “Young Love” and “The Nights are Better.”
The 10-time Grammy winner Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds is distinguished “as the only person to win Producer of the Year Grammy Awards consecutively for three years.” His work on his own music, as well as for others, has “netted over 100 million career sales extending to 119 top 10 pop and R&B hits. This includes 47 No.-1 R&B hits, 51 top-10 pop hits and 16 No.-1 pop hits.” The 14 tracks on this dynamic collection are culled from various albums, including “Lovers,” “Tender Lover” and “For the Cool in You,” where he is joined by LL Cool J for “This is For the Lover in You.” Other popular songs are “Whip Appeal” and “You Make Me Feel Brand New.”
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Isley Brothers, one of the most influential musical groups for nearly five decades, will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in the industry next year. They continue to influence today’s artists of various genres including hip-hop, R&B, electro-funk and Dance Hall. Their collection of slow jams comes from various albums, including “Live it Up,” “Winner Takes All” and “Caravan of Love” and includes such impressive grooves as “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” “Make Me Say It Again Girl” and “Choosey Lover.” Three of Dolly Parton’s string of five consecutive No.- 1 hits from 1973 to 1975 are included on this brilliant collection, which consists of the original version of “I Will Always Love You” from the 1974 “Jolene” album; “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me”(with Porter Wagoner), “Porter ‘N’ Dolly,” 1974; and the exquisite “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers,” written and produced by the Bee Gees, and “Real Love” with Kenny Rogers.
And then there is Ms. Etta James. Every single song on this memorable 15-track album is exquisitely rendered. From “At Last” to “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “Teach Me Tonight,” “Body and Soul,” “Night and Day” and “Time after Time. This is the definitive CD for that very special love on Valentine’s. Etta James’ “My Funny Valentine” will set the mood for the soft candle light and chilled wine. The rest is up to you, lover. Have a wonderful Valentine’s. And here’s a toast to the absolutely divine “From the Heart” series.