Leon Ware – Leon Ware (Orange Crush Vinyl)

Not many artists record two highly collectible, self-titled albums 10 years apart. But singer-songwriter-keyboardist Leon Ware pulled off that unlikely feat, first with his debut solo record for United Artists in 1972, and then with this one, released by Elektra in 1982. What he did in between was almost as noteworthy, writing and producing material for Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Minnie Riperton, and Marvin Gaye, for whom he helmed the classic I Want You record. So, the pump was primed for Ware’s 1982 release, which featured Ware’s soaring falsetto (which some compared to Gaye’s) over arrangements by the legendary Marty Paich, with fiery contributions by saxman Gato Barbieri and vocalist Flora Purim (duetting with Ware on the classic “Somewhere”). As is often the case with cult classics, Leon Ware didn’t sell initially, and in fact got him dropped from Elektra; but it’s emerged as a key early-‘80s R&B release, with “Why I Came to California” a particular latter-day favourite.

For its first U.S. vinyl reissue, we’re pressing this cult classic in orange crush vinyl!