Love Unlimited was a female vocal trio that provided backing vocals for American singer-songwriter Barry White on his albums and concert tours. They also found success with their own recordings.

Career

Formed in 1969, the group included Barry White's future wife, Glodean James; her sister, Linda James; and their cousin Diane Taylor.

Their first hit was "Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love" in 1972. It peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 7 on the Cash Box Top 100, and 6 on the Best Selling Soul Singles Chart. It was also successful in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in July 1972.

In 1973, when their album titled Under the Influence of... Love Unlimited peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, Love Unlimited became the first female group to have an album reach the top five since Greatest Hits Vol. 3 from Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1970. The album featured the single "It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring)" a song originally written by Barry White and Paul Politi for Felice Taylor in 1966. It would peak at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1975.

In 1975, they had their first and only number one hit, "I Belong to You", which spent a week at the top of the Best Selling Soul Singles Chart. It also peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was featured on their third album In Heat which also included a vocal version of "Love's Theme".

In 1977, they were moved to White's own record label Unlimited Gold, recording two further albums He's All I've Got and Love Is Back (1979). The trio disbanded in 1981 after members sought separate careers. Diane Taylor died of cancer in 1985.

Discography

Albums

YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertificationsRecord label
USUS R&BAUSCANNL
1972From a Girl's Point of View We Give to You... Love Unlimited15119UNI
1973Under the Influence of... Love Unlimited33181RIAA: Gold20th Century
1974In Heat851581
1977He's All I've Got19251Unlimited Gold
1979Love Is Back7012
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
USUS R&BCANNLUK
1972"Walkin' in the Rain with the One I Love"146401214RIAA: GoldFrom a Girl's Point of View We Give to You... Love Unlimited
"Is It Really True Boy - Is It Really Me"
"Are You Sure"
1973"Fragile - Handle with Care"
"Oh Love, Well We Finally Made It"70Under the Influence of... Love Unlimited
"Yes, We Finally Made It"
"It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring)"833511
1974"Under the Influence of Love"767078
"People of Tomorrow Are the Children of Today"Together Brothers
"I Belong to You"27137In Heat
1975"Share a Little Love in Your Heart"21
1977"I Did It for Love"66He's All I've Got
1979"High Steppin', Hip Dressin' Fella (You Got It Together)"45Love Is Back
1980"I'm So Glad That I'm a Woman"962
"If You Want Me, Say It"71
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

External links