Flowers
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 1976
StudioP.S. Recording Studios, Chicago, Illinois
GenreR&B, soul
Length28:40
LabelColumbia
ProducerMaurice White, Charles Stepney
The Emotions chronology
Untouched
(1971)
Flowers
(1976)
Rejoice
(1977)

Flowers is a studio album by the American girl group The Emotions, released in 1976 by Columbia Records.[1] The album reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top R&B albums chart.[2] Flowers has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.[3]

Overview

The group's first LP on Columbia Records, Flowers was produced by Charles Stepney and Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. The album was reissued with an 8-page booklet, liner notes and a bonus track in 2012.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [4]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[1]
Rolling Stone(favourable)[5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[6]
Village VoiceB[7]
Melody Maker(favourable)[8]

With a B grade Robert Christgau of the Village Voice wrote "Earth, Wind & Fire's girl group--literally. Whether it's Jeanette, Sheila, or Wanda who sounds like Diana Ross at a higher level of consciousness, the effect is exquisite."[7] Amy Hanson of Allmusic, in a 3 out of 5 star review, opined "Revamping their classic girl group soul sounds to incorporate the more eclectic nuances of (Maurice) White's production, the resultant brassed-up disco proved to be on target." She added " With fellow Earth, Wind & Fire members Verdine and Fred White adding their unmistakable chops to the sound, the Emotions ultimately emerged with an absolutely stunning brew that kept their powerful vocal harmonies well spotlighted, while adding more than a little funk to the sound."[4] Jim Arundel of Melody Maker also called Flowers "an incredibly short but definitely sweet album."[8]

Singles

The album's title track got to No.16 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No.2 on the NZ Top 40 Singles chart.[9][10] Another single, "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love", reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart and No.13 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[11][12]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love"Wanda Hutchinson, Jeanette Hawes4:01
2."Me for You"Clarence McDonald, Fritz Baskett4:17
3."You've Got the Right to Know"Wanda Hutchinson2:36
4."We Go Through Changes"Wanda Hutchinson, Henry Hicks, Jr.0:55
5."Special Part"Deniece Williams, Clarence McDonald, Lani Groves3:52
Total length:15:41
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."No Plans for Tomorrow"Wanda Hutchinson, Henry Hicks, Jr.3:44
7."How Can You Stop Loving Someone"Wanda Hutchinson4:14
8."Flowers"Maurice White, Al McKay4:28
9."God Will Take Care of You"Civilla D. Martin, Walter S. Martin0:33
Total length:12:59
2012 remastered bonus track
No.TitleLength
10."Flowers" (Single Version)3:43

Personnel

The Emotions
  • Sheila Hutchinson vocals
  • Wanda Hutchinson vocals
  • Jeanette Hutchinson vocals
Musicians
Technical
  • Recorded by Tom Serrano
  • Ron Coro, Tom Steele - design
  • Norman Seeff - photography

[4]

Charts

Chart (1976) Peak
[2]
U.S. Billboard Top LPs 45
U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs 5
Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions
US Pop
US
R&B

[13]
US
Dan

[14]
NZ

[10]

UK Pop
[15]
1976 "Flowers" 87 16 2
"I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" 51 13 4 40

References

  1. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. p. 286.
  2. 1 2 "The Emotions: Flowers (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  3. "The Emotions: Flowers". riaa.com. RIAA.
  4. 1 2 3 Hanson, Amy. "The Emotions: Flowers". Allmusic.com.
  5. McEwen, Joe (September 9, 1976). The Emotions: Flowers. Rolling Stone.
  6. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 227.
  7. 1 2 "The Emotions: Flowers". robertchristgau.com. Village Voice.
  8. 1 2 Arundel, Jim (March 26, 1994). "Silver Surfer". Melody Maker. Vol. 71, no. 12. p. 37. ProQuest 223508582.
  9. "The Emotions: Flowers (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com.
  10. 1 2 "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". nztop40.co.nz. Recorded Music NZ. September 10, 1978. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  11. "The Emotions: I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love (Dance/Club Play Songs)". billboard.com.
  12. "The Emotions: I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com.
  13. "The Emotions: Hot R&B Songs". Billboard.
  14. "The Emotions: Dance Club Songs". Billboard.com.
  15. "UK Charts > The Emotions". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
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