Hey, Love

1971 studio album by Rotary Connection

Hey, Love

Studio album by

Rotary Connection

Released

1971 (1971)

Studio

Ter-Mar, Chicago, Illinois, US

Genre

Psychedelic soul

Length

39:58

Language

English

Label

Cadet

Producer

Charles Stepney

Rotary Connection chronology

Dinner Music
(1970)

Hey, Love
(1971)

Black Gold: The Very Best of Rotary Connection
(2006)

Hey, Love is a 1971 studio album by American psychedelic soul group Rotary Connection released by Cadet Records.

Reception

Editors at AllMusic rated this album 4 out of 5 stars, with critic Andy Kellman writing that this is "one of Rotary Connection's best records" and recommends to listeners that this is as vital to the band's discography as their debut album, furthermore stating that "I Am the Black Gold of the Sun" "is the apex, the brightest moment in the group's discography".^[1] In The Rough Guide to the Best Music You've Never Heard, Nigel Williamson credits this track with resurrecting the band's career.^[2] In a review for retailers, Billboard called the group a "sweeping soul combo" and highlighted the vocals as well as Charles Stepney's work as particularly strong.^[3] In Psychedelia and Other Colours, Rob Chapman states that this album is stronger than predecessor Dinner Music and credits Stepney for being "at the top of his game".^[4]

Track listing

"If I Sing My Song" (Richard Rudolph, Charles Stepney) – 3:39
"The Sea and She" (Rudolph) – 3:30
"I Am the Black Gold of the Sun" (Rudolph, Stepney) – 5:44
"Hanging Round the Bee Tree" (Rudolph) – 3:38
"Hey, Love" (Rudolph, Stepney) – 4:10
"Love Has Fallen on Me" (Stepney, Andrew Lloyd Webber) – 4:10
"Song for Everyman" (Terry Callier) – 5:32
"Love Is" (Rudolph, Stepney) – 5:17
"Vine of Happiness" (Rudolph, Stepney) – 4:05

Personnel

Rotary Connection

Pat Ferreri – guitar
Henry Gibson – congas
Kitty Haywood – alto and soprano vocals
Dave Scott – tenor vocals
Donny Simmons – percussion
Sydney Simms – bass guitar
Charles Stepney – piano, harpsichord, organ, electric piano, horn arrangement, vocal arrangement
Minnie Riperton – soprano vocals
Phil Upchurch – guitar
Shirley Wahls – contralto vocals

Additional personnel

Peter Amft – photography
Maurer Productions – design
Michael Mendel – design
Gary Starr – engineering

References

^ Kellman, Andy (n.d.). "The New Rotary Connection – Hey, Love". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
^ Williamson, Nigel (2008). The Rough Guide to the Best Music You've Never Heard. Rough Guides. p. 89. ISBN 9781848360037.
^ "Album Reviews". Pop. Billboard. Vol. 83, no. 32. August 7, 1971. p. 52. ISSN 0006-2510.
^ Rob, Chapman (September 2015). Psychedelia and Other Colours. Faber & Faber. p. 70. ISBN 9780571282753.