Introduction
"The Icon Is Love" is the 18th studio album of the legendary American soul vocalist and songwriter Barry White. Released on October 4, 1994, by A&M Records, the album marked White's comeback after a long hiatus, embracing a new generation of R&B music lovers. The platinum-certified album was a considerable landmark in White's career, displaying his unique beauty and effective sultry voice that made him the title of "The Maestro of Love" in the popular music world. "The Icon Is Love" features partnerships with multiple artists and manufacturers, creating a blend of modern R&B and soul with traces of traditional Barry White styles.
Chart Performance and Singles
"The Icon Is Love" was a business success, reaching number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart and costs 69 weeks on the chart. The album reached its peak at number 1 on the Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. It also charted in numerous other nations, including the United Kingdom and different European countries.
The album generated five effective singles, which assisted White's career renewal. The most well-known single, "Practice What You Preach", topped the Billboard Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs chart for three weeks in 1994 and reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up singles "Come On" and "I Only Want To Be With You" reached the R&B Top 20. Other singles, "There It Is" and "Baby's Home", boosted the album's sales even more.
Musical Style and Themes
"The Icon Is Love" is a mix of '90s modern R&B and White's signature seductive emotional noise. The album showcases White's adaptability as an artist, featuring smooth ballads, sultry bedroom anthems, and even an occasional nod to the funkier side he was understood for in the '70s. The album covers themes of love, love, and sensuality, a trademark of Barry White's songwriting, with his apparent smooth baritone voice continuing to captivate the listener throughout.
The album includes partnerships with multiple prominent producers and artists, including Gerald Levert, Tony Nicholas, Jack Perry, and White's own child, Bridgette White. These collaborations helped modernize White's signature noise, bringing it to a brand-new audience while keeping the beauty and passion synonymous with Barry White.
Critical Reception
"The Icon Is Love" received favorable evaluations from music critics. They praised the album's contemporary R&B sound and White's incredible capability to adjust to modern R&B while staying true to his roots. Barry White's seductive and powerful vocals were also praised, showing that he had actually not lost his beauty regardless of the long break.
Writing for AllMusic, Ron Wynn applauded the album, stating, "The combining of old and newer R&B styles stays an appealing touch". Gerald Martinez from New Straits Tikes verified, "It's Barry White, all right, however slicker and much better than prior to ..." Critics frequently agreed that the album was a shining example for other seasoned entertainers of how to adjust their noise without alienating their devoted fan base.
Conclusion
"The Icon Is Love" stands as one of Barry White's most effective and enduring albums. It solidified his position as an ageless icon in the R&B and soul music world, showing that his signature style and charm were still appealing even after a significant time far from the recording studio. The album's success and influence on modern R&B make it a testimony to Barry White's enduring influence in the realm of love-infused music.
Artist: Barry White
Barry White, known for his deep voice and romantic ballads. Discover his life story, famous quotes, and hit songs.
More about Barry White
