Today Marks The 45th Anniversary of Rick James' 4th Studio Album "Garden of Love" Originally Released on July 16, 1980 on Gordy Records
"Garden of Love" is Rick James' fourth studio album on Motown sub-label Gordy.
The album reached #83 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and at #17 on Billboard's Top Soul LPs chart.
The album's lead single "Big Time" peaked at #17 in Billboard's Hot R&B Songs and at #38 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.
The song "Mary -Go- Round" wasn't released as a single, but Rick James did perform the song on SoulTrain as an second performance alongside the lead single "Big Time". The episode aired Oct 11, 1980.
"Garden of Love " was Rick James' most underrated releases. The album went gold and was far from a flop, but Motown wanted double or triple platinum, and anything less was disappointing.
Though the album was a departure from the type of hard and rowdy funk that defined his previous albums "Come Get It!", "Bustin' Out of L Seven", and "Fire It Up" Since then, disappointment has given way to a deeper appreciation of Garden Of Love. "It is one of the great Motown concept albums," writes Veal, "a quintessential summertime jam, James's hidden masterpiece, and a solid testament to his vision and versatility."
Other standout songs were "Summer Love." Another song which Rick James performed on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert on August 26, 1980. The song "Island Lady" is another fan favorite on this often slept in album.
Tracklisting:
1. Big Time
2. Don't Give Up On Love
3. Island Lady
4. Gettin' It On (In The Sunshine)
5. Summer Love
6. Mary -Go- Round
7. Gettin' It On (In The Sunshine) Reprise
By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology
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