Love Unlimited Orchestra

The longtime support unit for R&B love man Barry White, the 40-piece Love Unlimited Orchestra's lush, string-laden sound helped set the stage for the emergence of disco. The ensemble was originally formed by White to back his female protégés, Love Unlimited, beginning with their 1972 debut LP; the orchestra soon began supporting White himself as well, and in 1974 they issued their first LP Rhapsody in White, scoring a hit with the single "Love Theme." Two other albums, Together Brothers and White Gold, appeared later that same year, and in 1975 theLove Unlimited Orchestra returned with Music Maestro Please. Around the time of the release of 1976's Sweet Summer Suite, the orchestra welcomed to its ranks a new member, saxophonist Kenny Gorelick, who under the name Kenny G. later went on to considerable success as a solo act. After recording the theme to Dino de Laurentiis' big-budget 1977 remake of King Kong, the Love Unlimited Orchestra recorded My Musical Bouquet a year later; Just a Little Bit Different followed in 1979, and in 1981 the group yielded two more LPs, Let 'Em Dance and Welcome Aboard. 1983's Rise was the final new Love Unlimited Orchestra LP, although they continued backing White in the studio and on-stage.