Barry White will always be the icon

Only now am I able to once again listen to Barry White and celebrate his musical genius; in the months following his death, I could only mourn his passing. It is still hard to believe that the icon, and Barry White truly was the icon, is no longer with us, but he will live forever through his music. The Icon Is Love was released in 1994, and it offered incontrovertible proof that the man was still at the top of his game. These songs are generally a little slower in tempo than White's string of earlier hits, but there can be no doubt that this is vintage Barry White material. Austin Powers only wishes he had half of the mojo that Barry White possessed.

Practice What You Preach opens this album in grand style. This track begins with a sultry rap spoken to the accompaniment of a sensuous bass line, after which Barry launches right into lyrics of great energy and appeal. The chorus is fantastic, so catchy you will carry this tune around in your head for days at a time. Practice What You Preach spent 30 weeks on the Billboard R&B charts, three of them at number one, and helped reenergize White's career. Two other singles from this album, Come On and There It Is also made the charts. Come On oozes with sensual power, as White pleads with his partner to come on and play; satisfaction is guaranteed in this up-tempo track. There It Is, however, is much less entrancing; this is actually my least favorite song on the album. Two other tracks merit special mention: Baby's Home and Whatever We Had, We Had. These are vintage White classics that belong right alongside so many of his earlier standout recordings. Oozing with that unquantifiable magic White's voice conveys, the singer gives the words and music all the time and attention they deserve. Baby's Home runs over eight minutes, while What We Had, We Had runs for over ten and a half minutes - neither song is too long. The latter has to do with breaking up and remaining friends, while Baby's Home expresses all of the magic of a love still burning with passion.

Sexy Undercover picks up the tempo a little bit, as Barry tells his lady that he's shy on the outside but full of surprises behind closed doors; he's got the mojo working hard in this dance-worthy track. I Only Want To Be With You, in which Barry sings that love is so much more than a physical thing, lays down a smooth, toe-tapping groove with just a touch of good old-fashioned funk; I wish this song had been released as a single because I think it would have been a huge hit. Don't You Want to Know is slow and sensual, really a beautiful little song. Love Is the Icon and The Time Is Right are great tracks, as well.

With a nice mixture of up-tempo tracks and mesmerizing ballads, this 1994 album returned Barry White to the spotlight and, in so doing, gave the world ten more Barry White classics to enjoy forevermore. Barry White may have mellowed a little bit by 1994, but the magic was still there for all to hear and enjoy. He was and always will be the icon.

The Icon is BACK!!

Well the strings, orchestra, riffs and overall sound he flexed in the 70s might be long gone, but this big 1994 hit comeback album for The Maestro proved that he still had his ear for nice melodies. Barry had comeback in 1987 so it took him quite a few years (and 3 albums) to finally get himself back in position at the top of the charts.

A cameo in the Simpsons not only lined his pockets but introduced him to a whole new generation. Plus with the 70s revival the time was right & everything came together for Barry. He hooked up with guys like Gerald Albright and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and put together 'The Icon Is Love', an album of fun good time jams and some slowed numbers. The singles 'Practice What You Preach' and 'Come On' are classic Barry, and the rest of the material has his distinctive style written all over it, booming bass vocals, cool monologues and wit, but now with updated bass & bump beneath it all. This was a cool comeback for Barry and the album while not as good as his 70s material is a nice effort.

The ICON is White...Barry White!

Considered White's 90's "comeback", although the singer had continuously recorded and released albums since his 70's peak, "The Icon is Love" introduced a new generation to the baritone crooner.

White stalwart Jack Perry was joined in producing duties with the likes of Jam & Lewis ("I Only Want to Be With You", "Come On"), Chuckii Booker ("The Time is Right", "Sexy Undercover"), and Gerald Levert ("Practice What You Preach", "There It Is"), and the resulting collaborations provide White with a well-balanced offering featuring a little old with the new.

The last cut, "Whatever We Had, We Had" is a reflection on the end of his marriage to Glodean. White knew how to begin AND end a relationship.

With his recent passing, one can be grateful that his unique musical style will live on.

Cut listing and times:

1. Practice What You Preach 5:59
2. There it is 7:03
3. I Only Want to Be with You 5:01
4. The Time is Right 5:46
5. Baby's Home 8:17
6. Come On 5:50
7. Love is the Icon 4:38
8. Sexy Undercover 4:51
9. Don't You Want to Know? 6:51
10. Whatever We Had, We Had 10:41