L.T.D - Will Love Grow 1980

This is a revamped version of my previous post 3 years ago (better soundquality Njoy) From L.T.D's 1980 album "Shine On" The last album from L.T.D where Billy and Jeffrey Osbone were a member of L.T.D Since the group's first national hit "Love Ballad," Jeffrey Osborne had been the featured vocalist for LTD. However, this recording would be his last one with the group before pursuing a solo career. This album spawned two upstanding singles -- "Where Did We Go Wrong" and "Shine On" -- the former being a rhythmic ballad enhanced by some stylish background vocals, leaving Jeffrey Osborne substantial space to demonstrate his commanding vocal ability. In spite of having all the right ingredients to attain that number one status, the single peaked at number seven after 20 weeks on the Billboard R&B; charts. It would be the group's last single to crack the Top Ten. "Shine On" is arranged with noticeable crossover appeal augmented by Osborne's crooning vocals; the single peaked at 19 before fizzling out after 18 weeks. L.T.D (which stands for Love, Togetherness, and Devotion), was formed in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1968, when Arthur "Lorenzo" Carnegie (alto and tenor saxes, flute, guitar), Jake Riley (trombone) Carle Wayne Vickers (trumpet, flute, soprano sax) and Abraham "Onion" Miller (tenor sax, vocals), who had been working as members of the 15 piece "Fantastic Soul Men Orchestra" backing the ever popular duo of Sam & Dave, along with Jimmy "J.D." Davis (keyboards, vocals), formed their own band named Love Men Ltd. Then they drove to New York City, in a car that they purchased together (a 1956 Chevy), and lived in Spanish Harlem on 149th and Broadway, where Toby Wynn (baritone sax) joined them. While performing on a gig in Providence, Rhode Island, Jeffrey Osborne (drums, lead vocals) was recruited by them. After two years in New York, they drove two cars and a trailer to Los Angeles, California, where Jeffrey's brother, Billy Osborne (organ, drums, keyboards, co-lead vocals), Celeste Cole (vocals), Henry E. Davis (bass, vocals) and Robert Santiel (congas, percussion) joined them. 1974 found them signing with A&M; Records as L.T.D (Love Togetherness & Devotion). In 1976, Johnny McGhee (guitar) joined the band. Jeffrey was moved out front as the lead vocalist, and Alvino Bennett replaced him on drums in 1978. The group then went on to produce songs such as "Love Ballad", "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again", "Concentrate On You", "Holding On (When Love Is Gone)", and many others. Soon after the band's 1980 album Shine On, Jeffrey and Billy Osborne departed to start solo careers. Andre Ray and Leslie Wilson (Formerly of New Birth) were then chosen as lead vocalists their next album Love Magic which produced two more hits, "April Love", and "Kicking Back". Leslie Wilson left to continue his solo career and L.T.D stayed busy in the music industry by recording for small independent record labels, and doing their own personal music projects. In 1999, a L.T.D copycat band lost a federal court battle with the current five original members of L.T.D retaining the rights, and ownership of the name L.T.D The five original members, Henry E. Davis (bass, keys, guitar, flute, lead & bg vocals), Jimmy "JD" Davis (keyboards, lead & bg vocals), Arthur "Lorenzo" Carnegie (saxes, flute, guitar), Carle Wayne Vickers (trumpet, flute, soprano sax), Johnny McGhee (guitar, vocals), along with new members, Andre Ray (keys, lead & bg vocals), Richard Moorings (keys, lead & bg vocals, trombone), and Tefere Hazy (drums, vocals) have been touring all over the U.S. since 1999. Jake Riley (original trombonist), died in 2000, and James "JD" Davis (keyboards, vocals), died on May 22, 2008.