Barry White and Love Unlimited Orchestra (1974) What a Groove - LOST 70s GEMS

Barry White, was an up and coming soulful crooner of some of the most romantic arrangements ever heard, also a talented composer teamed up with a very talented group of musicians, singers and players to create the Rhapsody in White album, released in January of 74 it was ground Zero for the nascent Disco sound; dripping in interplay between funky guitars and sweeping strings it set off the whole genre that would boom in four years time on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. While Love Theme was it's big hit and set the standard for it's funk infused, dance floor filler vibe mixed with the romantic, heavily layered production techniques of Philly Soul; a marriage made in paradise as delicate guitar parts meld with hi-hats and swells of strings.

What a Groove is an extraordinary track from the gem filled album that is steeped with deep tracks of inventive funky soul and late 60s early 70s bubblegum strings and horns parts to create a rousing set of tunes. What a Groove starts off with a drum count in and a haunting strain of Hitchcockian horns straining like a train whistle out of breath like a suspenseful Bond tune. An insistent piano and strings laden rhythm kicks in under an electric guitar line that recalls Credence Clearwater Revival's Fortunate One in its clean, sliding blues rock tone.

Finally the sprightly strings sweep in alongside a bright, effervescent harpsichord chord progression creating a aural palace of love. The strings dance around in a sweet 70s disco groove before the rock guitars rejoin the song in more overdubbed layers playing a more circular groove and a cowbell is introduced for extra depth. Not long the horns power in stacks to this rock passage holding supreme notes , the strings coursing under and the guitars still riff away in as the fade and the droning horns of the beginning re enter. It's a delicious instrumental, telling missing the big guy's vocals but still holding a solid beat and magic s do all the tracks, particularly look out for the single note stab of strings that is the foundation of Baby Blues and Rhapsody in White's romantic melody.