I am sure that many have never took the time to listen to Leon Ware's music or even look him up. Leon Ware is responsible for the world soul music changing in the seventies. The few that have heard of Leon are well aware that he was responsible for writing "I Wanna Be Where You Are", by the Jackson 5, conducting Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" album, and producing Maxwell's first album "Urban Hang Suite." Despite the fact that he is known as the "Father of Sensual Soul" the apex of his career is something many may have never listened to.
Musical Massage was released in September 1976, following the release of "I Want You." The album is legendary for featuring both Marvin Gaye and Minnie Riperton on tracks "Holiday" and "Comfort." Leon is not the best singer, but he made up for it with lyrics. The time the album was created, studios did not have special effects to modify a singers voice. Leon had a very distinct voice, he did not sing well, but his voice emphasized the mood he wanted to express.
Anybody that has common music sense can understand the reason that Berry Gordy did not want to release the album. Gordy did not see Ware as a flagship artist, compared to all of his other artist who were having successful careers. A majority of the singers who were successful under Motown were lead singers in other groups. Singers such as: Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendrick, Marvin Gaye, GC Cameron, and Lionel Richie. This is a practice that is still in music today. Leon Ware was not taken seriously due to the fact that he was known for writing music, and composing music. The main reason that Berry Gordy took "Musical Massage" away from Leon Ware is simply due to one reason. That reason is the success of Marvin Gaye's "Lets Get It On" album. Motown became well aware at this point that sex sells, they had to continue marketing eroticism with Marvin Gaye. Ed Townsend had conducted a very midtempo, simple sounding album with lyrics surrounding carnal affairs. Leon Ware had the perfect sound for Marvin to sing over. I Want You was easier to listen to because of the variation of sounds, more realistic lyrics, and both Leon and Marvin working together to break many barriers in the music industry.
Musical Massage was not an album you can market for a man who could not sing well, especially in a time that Motown's sound was changing. Smokey Robinson was changing r&b music with his album "A Quiet Storm." Soul music was in need of a huge change, and Motown was not willing to market a non flagship artist at this time even though they were in need of one. Musical Massage is the great r&b album nobody ever heard. The album was very cohesive, and has a very distinct form of musical direction. The dissappointing part is that many will never listen to this great piece of work.
There are so many songs that I can play repeatedly, until I listened to songs like: Phantom Lover, Turn Off The Light, Learning How To Love You and Musical Massage you can understand my deep frustration on the music industry's lack of appreciation for such a great artist, and great lyrics. Maybe its the fact that albums like "Musical Massage" is too deep for the average music afficianado. I dont know what it is, maybe its my deep affinity for music who understands artistry in its purest form, or I might be the only one who understands that music is deeper than having an infectious beat and something to dance to.
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