A A Woman Needs Love [Bonus Tracks Edition]

by Ray Parker, Jr., Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio

Overview

A Woman Needs Love followed Two Places at the Same Time as the second of two albums credited to Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio. It was the first time Parker got the front sleeve to himself -- a signal that he had become the focal point, even though Raydio was his baby from the beginning. While Arnell Carmichael continued to provide some lead and background vocals, Parker stepped up -- making the most out of his limited range -- and performed the entirety of the lead on the album's first single. "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)," a clever and efficient slice of adult contemporary bubblegum R&B, addressed men, appealed to women, and threw in a shrewd reference to "Jack and Jill." It topped Billboard's Soul chart and came three spots short of topping the Hot 100. The album's other two charting singles -- "It's Your Night," a soft funk number featuring Cheryl Lynn, and the wistful "That Old Song," where Gene Page-arranged strings play as much of a role as Parker and Carmichael -- didn't fare nearly as well. Other notables include the very Heatwave/Rob Temperton-like "All in the Way You Get Down," as well as "Still in the Groove," a sequel to the previous year's instrumental funk hit "For Those Who Like to Groove." As usual, RPJ's likable, sly, and affable nature makes the lesser material go down easy. [Funky Town Grooves' 2012 reissue adds three bonus mixes from the album's 7" and 12" releases.] ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	05/26/2017
Label:	Funky Town Grooves
UPC:	0851903003397
Rank:	60299

Tracks

1. A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)
2. It's Your Night
3. That Old Song
4. All in the Way You Get Down
5. You Can't Fight What You Feel
6. Old Pro
7. Still in the Groove
8. So into You
9. All in the Way You Get Down
10. It's Your Night [7" Version]
11. A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) [7" Version]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio   Primary Artist
Ray Parker, Jr.   Primary Artist,Bass,Drums,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Synthesizer
Marvin Limonick   Violin
Sister Josephine James   Vocals (Background)
Robert Sushell   Violin
Paul Jackson, Jr.   Guitar
Jesse Ehrlich   Celli
Cheryl Lynn   Vocals (Background)
David Schwartz   Viola
Deborah Thomas   Vocals (Background)
J.D. Nicholas   Vocals (Background)
Jerry Knight   Vocals (Background)
Marshall Sosson   Violin
Jack Ashford   Tambourine
Darren Carmichael   Vocals (Background)
Kenny Flood   Flute
Ollie E. Brown   Drums,Percussion
Don Palmer   Violin
Larry Tolbert   Drums
Sharon Jack   Vocals (Background)
Gareth "Garry" Nuttycombe   Viola
Sylvester Rivers   Synthesizer,Piano
Paula Hochhalter   Celli
Henry Ferber   Violin
Arnell Carmichael   Vocals

Technical Credits

Tony Calvert   Reissue Producer
Randy Mahon   Liner Notes,Reissue Producer
Sean Brennan   Remastering
Matt Murphy   Production Manager
Ray Parker, Jr.   Composer
Gene Page   String Arrangements
Aaron Rapoport   Photography
Reginald Dozier   String Engineer
Ria Lewerke Shapiro   Art Direction,Design
Al Ramirez   Assistant Engineer