I don't know much about this Lady bar this excellent double-header for JWP Records in 1982, and lifted from the rare album of the same name. Produced by 60's RCA artist, H.B. Barnum, this single really was the bees knees and for me contained the best tracks from that album – though the album is not at all bad to boot! Lovers of soulful down tempo 80s soul will love these songs and should form part of any collection of classic 80s material. The A Side, “From The Heart” is more-ish from the very start. We are instantly seduced by the warm keys and the light drum rhythm then strings and piano. A strong vocalist, Gloria Bare, has all the hallmarks of a classic singer in the soul tradition and such a pity that she seemed to disappear without a trace soon after. Criminal really. The flip side is a 70s styled floater with more than a nod to Love Unlimited with a Syreeta inspired vocal performance. The strings are simply delicious and although the lyrics and melody may be seen by some a shade on the twee side, although I think that the sheer soulfulness in H.B. Barnum's production, the sentiment in the lyric and the beautiful, silky yet powerful vocal performance is what matters overall. We have not heard from H.B. Barnum for some time now, so a return to the production helm is waaaaaay overdue. With his own recorded superb work and arrangements for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Lou Rawls, Etta James and so many others, and later productions we really do need to sample the man's 21st Century flavours.
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
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