Tag Archives: Ronnie Baker

Laura Nyro: Gonna Take A Miracle

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On November 17, 1971, “Columbia” label released “Gonna Take a Miracle”, the fifth Laura Nyro studio album. It was recorded May – June 1971, at “Sigma Sound” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

Personnel:

  • Laura Nyro – vocals, piano
  • Nona Hendryx, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash – vocals
  • Norman Harris, Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Lenny Pakula – organ
  • Ronnie Baker – bass
  • Jim Helmer – drums
  • Vincent Montana Jr. – percussion
  • Larry Washington – bongos
  • Nydia “Liberty” Mata – congas
  • Bobby Martin, Lenny Pakula, Thom Bell – string and horn arrangements
  • Tim Geelan – engineer
  • Gary Burden – art direction, design
  • Stephen Paley – front cover photography

Track listing:

  1. I Met Him on a Sunday – Doris Jackson, Addie Harris McPherson, Beverly Lee, Shirley Alston Reeves
  2. The Bells – Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Iris Gordy, Elgie Stover
  3. Monkey Time/Dancing in the Street – Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  4. Désiree – L.Z. Cooper, Danny Johnson
  5. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me – Smokey Robinson
  6. Spanish Harlem – Jerry Leiber, Phil Spector
  7. Jimmy Mack – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  8. The Wind – Devora Brown, Bob Edwards, Nolan Strong
  9. Nowhere to Run – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  10. It’s Gonna Take a Miracle – Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, Lou Stallman

The Stylistics: Round 2

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In October 1972, “Avco” label released “Round 2” is the second Stylistics (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, and was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Russell Thompkins, Jr. – lead vocals
  • Airrion Love, James Smith, Herb Murrell, James Dunn – backing vocals
  • Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram – additional backing vocals
  • Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Tony Bell, Eli Tartarsky – guitar
  • Thom Bell – piano, harpsichord
  • Joe DeAngelis, Stephanie Fauber, Robert Martin – French horn
  • Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
  • Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
  • George Shaw – flute
  • Vincent Forchetti, Bob Moore, Richard Genevese – trombone
  • Don Renaldo, Tony Sinagoga, Albert Berone, Rudy Malizia, Angelo Pretrella, Romeo Di Stefano, Charles Apollonia, Davis Barnett, Richard Jones, Herschel Wise – strings
  • Mary Gale – harp
  • Fredric Cohen – oboe
  • Ronnie Baker – bass
  • Earl Young – drums
  • Larry Washington – congas
  • Vince Montana – percussion

Track listing:

All tracks by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, except where noted.

  1. I’m Stone in Love with You – Thom Bell, Linda Creed, Anthony Bell
  2. If You Don’t Watch Out
  3. You and Me
  4. It’s Too Late – Carole King, Toni Stern
  5. Children of the Night
  6. You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart) – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  7. Break Up to Make Up – Thom Bell, Linda Creed, Kenneth Gamble
  8. Peek-a-Boo – Gregory Guess, Norman Knox
  9. You’re asd Right as Rain
  10. Pieces

Blue Magic: Same

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In January 1974, “Atco” label released the self-titled, debut Blue Magic album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Norman Harris, Alan Rubens and Steven Bernstein.

Personnel:

  • Vernon Sawyer, Richard Pratt, Wendell Sawyer, Keith Beaton, Ted Mills – vocals
  • Bobby Eli, Norman Harris, Ted Cohen, Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Ted Mills, Ron Kersey, Cotton Kent – piano
  • Ronnie Baker, Jimmy Grant, Lee Smith, Jimmy DeJulio – bass
  • Earl Young, Larry James – drums
  • Larry Washington – percussion
  • Vince Montana– vibes
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns – strings and horns accompaniment
  • Norman Harris– arrangements, remix
  • Vince Montana– arrangements
  • Carl Helm – vocal arrangements
  • Joe Tarsia, Kenny Present, Don Murray, Jay Mark, Carl Paruolo – recording
  • Alan Rubens, Steven Bernstein – executive producer
  • Bruce Gable – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Sideshow – Bobby Eli, Vinny Barrett
  2. Look Me Up – Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  3. What’s Come Over Me – Ted Mills
  4. Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely – Bobby Eli, Vinny Barrett, John Freeman
  5. Stop to Start – Jimmy Grant, Allan Felder
  6. Welcome to the Club – Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  7. Spell – Ted Mills
  8. Answer to My Prayer – Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  9. Tear it Down – Ted Mills, Allan Felder

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes: I Miss You

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In August 1972, “Philadelphia International” label released “I Miss You”, the debut Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.

Personnel:

  • Harold Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass, Bernard Wilson, Lawrence Brown, Lloyd Parks– vocals
  • Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli– guitar
  • Leon Huff– piano
  • Leonard Pakula – organ
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – congas, bongos
  • Vince Montana– vibraphone
  • Sam Reed and his Horns – horns
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings – strings

Track listing:

All tracks by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, except where noted.

  1. I Miss You
  2. Ebony Woman – Morris Bailey
  3. Yesterday I Had the Blues
  4. If You Don’t Know Me by Now
  5. Be for Real – Leon Huff, Cary Gilbert, Kenneth Gamble
  6. Let Me into Your World – Kenneth Gamble, Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  7. Let It Be You

O’Jays: Back Stabbers

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In August 1972, “Philadelphia International” label released “Back Stabbers”, the seventh O’Jays studio album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Bunny Sigler.In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 318 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time.

Personnel:

  • Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, Bill Isles.– vocals
  • Dennis Harris – guitar
  • Bobby Eli– guitar
  • Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Bunny Sigler– guitar, keyboards, piano
  • Lenny Pakula – keyboards
  • Norman Harris– arranger, guitar
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Lenny Pakula – keyboards
  • Leon Huff– keyboards, piano
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – bongos, percussion
  • Vincent Montana, Jr.– percussion, vibraphone
  • Don Renaldo – conductor, horn, strings
  • Thom Bell – arrangements, strings
  • Bobby Martin– arrangements
  • Joe Tarsia– engineer
  • Tony Sellari – art direction
  • Tony Martell – executive producer
  • Adam Block – director

Track listing:

  1. When the World’s at Peace – Kenneth Gamble, Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  2. Back Stabbers – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead
  3. Who Am I – Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  4. (They Call Me) Mr. Lucky – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff,
  5. Time to Get Down – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
  6. 992 Arguments – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
  7. Listen to the Clock on the Wall – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Kenneth Gamble
  8. Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Kenneth Gamble
  9. Sunshine – Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  10. Love Train – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff

Spinners: Same

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In April 1973, “Atlantic” label released the third, self-titled Spinners album. It was recorded 1972-1973, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson– vocals
  • Roland Chambers, Norman Harris, Bobby Eli– guitar
  • Thom Bell– piano
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – congas, bongos
  • Vince Montana– vibes, marimbas
  • Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
  • Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
  • Joe DeAnglis, Robert Martin – French horn
  • Freddie Joiner, Bobby Moore, Richie Genevese, Eddie Keskarella – trombone
  • Don Renaldo – strings
  • Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Yvette Benton – backing vocals
  • Thom Bell– arranger, conductor
  • Joe Tarsia– recording, re-mix engineer
  • Loring Eutemey – design
  • Merrill A. Roberts, Jr. – photography

Track listing:

  1. Just Can’t Get You Out of My Mind – Vinnie Barrett
  2. Just You and Me Baby – Yvette Davis
  3. Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You – Jerry Akines, Johnny Bellman, Victor Drayton, Reginald Turner
  4. I Could Never (Repay Your Love) – Bruce Hawes
  5. I’ll Be Around – Thom Bell, Phil Hurtt
  6. One of a Kind (Love Affair) – Joseph B. Jefferson
  7. We Belong Together – Yvette Davis
  8. Ghetto Child – Linda Creed, Thom Bell
  9. How Could I Let You Get Away – Yvette Davis
  10. Could It Be I’m Falling in Love – Melvin and Mervin Steals

The Stylistics: Same

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the-stylistics

On November 6, 1971, “Avco” label released the self titled, debut  Stylistics (The) album. It was recorded 1970-1971, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an d was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Russell Thompkins, Jr.– lead vocals
  • Airrion Love, James Smith, Herb Murrell, James Dunn – backing vocals
  • Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram– additional backing vocals
  • Norman Harris, Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Lenny Pakula – piano, organ
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – congas
  • Vince Montana– percussion
  • Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
  • Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
  • Fredric Cohen – oboe
  • Joe DeAngelis, Stephanie Fauber, Robert Martin – French horn
  • George Shaw – flute
  • Vincent Forchetti, Bob Moore, Richard Genevese – trombone
  • Don Renaldo, Tony Sinagoga, Albert Berone, Rudy Malizia, Angelo Pretrella, Romeo Di Stefano, Charles Apollonia, Davis Barnett, Richard Jones, Herschel Wise – strings
  • Mary Gale – harp

Track listing:

All tracks by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, except where noted.

  1. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)
  2. Point of No Return
  3. Betcha by Golly, Wow
  4. Country Living
  5. You’re a Big Girl Now – Marty Bryant, Robert Douglas
  6. You Are Everything
  7. People Make the World Go Round
  8. Ebony Eyes
  9. If I Love You