L.T.D. ”Gittin’ Down”

L.T.D.

”Gittin’ Down”
( LP A&M Records, 1974 )
Catalog # SP-3660

Tracklisting:
A1 Don’t Lose Your Cool (2:44)
Written-By – Henry E. Davis, Jeffrey Osborne
A2 Groove For A Little While (3:21)
Written-By – Jeffrey Osborne
A3 Your Love Is The Answer (2:53)
Written-By – Jeffrey Osborne, James Davis
A4 Eldorado Joe (4:21)
Written-By – Henry E. Davis
A5 Tryin’ To Find A Way (3:04)
Written-By – Billy Osborne
A6 Ain’t No Way (2:47)
Written-By – Billy Osborne, Jeffrey Osborne
B1 It’s You (3:04)
Written-By – Lorenzo Carnegie
B2 Look In My Eyes (3:17)
Written-By – Abraham J. Miller, J , James Davis
B3 Churn Baby Churn (3:00)
Written-By – Abraham J. Miller, Jr.
B4 Sweet Thang (2:35)
Written-By – Carle Vickers , Jeffrey Osborne
B5 You Can Be Free (5:17)
Written-By – Jake Riley, James Davis

Personnel & Credits:
Bass, Guitar, Celeste, Percussion – Henry Davis
Congas, Bongos, Percussion – Pondaza Santiel
Drums, Vocals [Lead, Background], Percussion, Piano – Jeffrey Osborne
Engineer – Norm Kinney , Tommy Vicari
Engineer [Assistant] – Dave Iveland, Milt Calice
Executive Producer – Jerry Butler
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Piano [Acoustic, Electric], Clavinet, Synthesizer,
Harpsichord, Vocals [Lead, Background] – Jimmie Davis
Piano [Acoustic], Clavinet, Organ, Synthesizer, Drums, Percussion, Vocals
[Lead, Background], Keyboards – Billy Osborne
Saxophone [Baritone, Alto] – Tobie “Big Horny” Wynn
Saxophone [Tenor, Alto] – Lorenzo “Blow Daddy” Carnegie
Saxophone [Tenor], Vocals [Background, Lead],
Percussion – Abraham J. “Onion” Miller Jr.
Trombone, Percussion – Jake Riley
Trumpet, Saxophone [Soprano], Backing Vocals – Carle Vickers

Notes:
Recorded at A&M Records
Mixed at Sound Labs, Inc.
Format:Vinyl, LP
Country:US
Released:1974

Review:
L.T.D.’s second album, Gittin’ Down, was the calm before the storm. In 1976, the band exploded commercially with its third album, Love to the World, and the smash hit “Love Ballad.” But when Jeffrey Osborne and friends recorded this LP in 1974, they were still struggling. Like L.T.D.’s first album, Love, Togetherness & Devotion, this sophomore release was a commercial flop. Nonetheless, A&M saw L.T.D.’s potential, and even though Gittin’ Down isn’t fantastic, it’s generally decent (if uneven). In 1974, some of the pieces were in place for L.T.D. — Osborne was an impressive lead singer (although he only handles about half of Gittin’ Down’s lead vocals), and the band is as comfortable with tough, gritty funk (”Eldorado Joe,” “Don’t Lose Your Cool”) as it is with ballads (”Tryin’ to Find a Way”). L.T.D. had an appealing, recognizable sound in 1974; what it needed was material that was excellent instead of merely decent — and that didn’t come until 1976. Gittin’ Down isn’t among L.T.D.’s essential releases; there is no reason why a casual listener would choose this album over classics like Love to the World, Something to Love, and Togetherness. Nonetheless, hardcore collectors and R&B historians will find the record interesting despite its imperfections.
By Alex Henderson (AMG)

By Pier