Genre: soul
Rating: 4 stars ****
Title: Baby, Won't You Change Your Mind
Company: Today
Catalog: TLP 1008
Year: 1972
Country/State: Harlem, New York
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: minor corner wear
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5156
Price: $35.00
Today all but unknown outside of collectors circles, this talented New York-based soul trio deserved a far better fate than what's befallen them.
The group's sophomore release, 1972's "Baby, Won't You Change Your Mind" again served as a showcase for manager Patrick Adams who in addition to producing was also credited with writing all nine tracks and arranging the set. While the album's heavy dose of ballads wasn't a radical departure from the debut, the overall feel was more consistent and enjoyable than on the debut. In particular in his role as lead singer Leroy Burgess seemed have grown far more comfortable in the studio, turning in some impressively mournful performances on songs like the title track, 'No If's And's, or But's', and 'It's Time To Say Goodbye' (the latter featuring some weird percussion effects). Adams also seemed to have grown as a writer. Mind you the album had more than it's share of romantic platitudes, but some of Adams' lyrics were pretty impressive - check out 'Time Is Love'. Ironically, the group were actually even more impressive on their isolated up-tempo numbers. 'Just Leave Me Some' and 'Ticket To Loveland' were killer and would have made for some amazing radio hits had they been tapped for release as single. Instead Today played it safe going with ballads for the singles:
- 1972's 'Time Is Love' b/w 'Got To Be There' (Today catalog number T-1516 A/B)
- 1973s 'Spinning Around' b/w 'Find the One Who Loves You' (Today catalog number T-1520 A/B)
"Baby,
Won't You Change Your Mind" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Baby, Won't You Change Your Mind (Patrick Adams) -
2.) Just Leave Me Some (Patrick Adams) -
3.) Push Come To Shove (Patrick Adams) -
4.) Time Is Love (Patrick Adams) -
5.) Spinning Around (Patrick Adams) -
(side
2)
1.) It's Time To Say Goodbye (Patrick Adams) -
2.) Ticket To Loveland (Patrick Adams) -
3.) No If's, And's, or But's (Patrick Adams) -
4.) Wishful thinking (Patrick Adams) -
With the album going top-40 and the singles all charting, the group should have been poised for massive success. Unfortunately economics intervened. Today Records ran into financial difficulties and feeling they were being ripped off on royalties the trio refused to record a follow-on. One non-LP single for the label and their partnership was over ('We Made It' b/w 'Just Leave Me Some' (Today catalog number T-1524 A/B)). Today subsequently collapsed in bankruptcy.