1980 The Whispers – Imagination
Imagination is the tenth studio album by American R&B/Soul vocal group The Whispers, Released on November 30, 1980 by SOLAR Records.
The album contains two singles which made the U.S. Hot R&B charts: “It’s a Love Thing”, which peaked at number two in early 1981; and “I Can Make it Better”. Both singles were produced by SOLAR Records’ main in-house producer Leon F. Sylvers III. Also featured in the album is “Up on Soul Train”, the theme song used on the syndicated television series Soul Train from 1980 to 1983; it was composed by the creator, producer, and host of Soul Train, Don Cornelius.
The music video to the single “It’s a Love Thing” is notable for having an early appearance from then-unknown actress Daphne Maxwell Reid.As of September 2016, the song appears in a L’Oreal commercial for Preference Mousse Absolue.
Tracks
1 Imagination (Larry White, Grady Wilkins) 6:14
2 It’s A Love Thing (Dana Meyers, William Shelby) 5:09
3 Say You (Would You Love Me Too) (Nicholas Caldwell) 5:03
4 Continental Shuffle (Mark Adam Wood) 4:35
5 I Can Make It Better (Dana Meyers, William Shelby, Stephen Shockley) 7:14
6 Girl I Need You (Larry White, Grady Wilkins) 4:19
7 Up On Soul Train (Don Cornelius) 4:51
8 Fantasy (Werner Schuchner, Ahaguna Sun) 4:22
Biography
Musicians
| Bass | Melvin Coleman |
| Drums | Kirk Perkins |
| Guitar | Larry White |
| Keyboards | Grady Wilkins |
| Keyboards | Kossi Gardner |
| Flute | Melecio Magdaluyo |
| Horn | Barbara Korn |
| Horn | David Duke |
| Horn | Sidney Muldrow |
| Sax | Fred Jackson |
| Sax | Sonny Lewis |
| Trombone | Kraig Kilby |
| Trumpet | Bobby Bryant |
| Trumpet | Joe Romano |
| Trumpet | Oscar Brashear |
| Trumpet | John Parrish |
| Percussion | Karl Dickens |
Other Musicians
1 Imagination
| Bass | David Agent |
| Drums | Richard Aguon |
| Guitar | Emilio Conesa |
| Guitar | Stephen Shockley |
| Keyboards | Albert De Gracia |
| Sax | Melecio Magdaluyo |
| Sax | Ruben Laxamana |
| Trombone | Ross Wilson |
| Trumpet | Dean Boysen |
2 It’s A Love Thing
| Bass | Leon Sylvers |
| Drums | Wardell Potts Jr |
| Guitar | Earnest Reed |
| Guitar | Stephen Shockley |
| Keyboards | Joey Gallo |
| Keyboards | Kevin Spencer |
| Keyboards | Rickey Smith |
| Keyboards | William Shelby |
| Percussion | Harvey Mason Sr |
3 Say You (Would You Love Me Too)
| Sax | Melecio Magdaluyo |
4 Continental Shuffle
| Keyboards | Mark Adam Wood |
5 I Can Make It Better
| Bass | Leon Sylvers |
| Drums | Wardell Potts Jr |
| Guitar | Earnest Reed |
| Guitar | Stephen Shockley |
| Keyboards | Joey Gallo |
| Keyboards | Kevin Spencer |
| Keyboards | Rickey Smith |
| Keyboards | William Shelby |
| Percussion | Harvey Mason Sr |
6 Girl I Need You
| Bass | David Agent |
| Drums | Richard Aguon |
| Guitar | Emilio Conesa |
| Guitar | Stephen Shockley |
| Keyboards | Albert De Gracia |
| Sax | Melecio Magdaluyo |
| Sax | Ruben Laxamana |
| Trombone | Ross Wilson |
| Trumpet | Dean Boysen |
8 Fantasy
| Bass | Werner Schuchner |
| Guitar | Werner Schuchner |
| Keyboards | Greg Phillinganes |
Liner Notes
Producer – Dick Griffey, The Whispers
Producer – Don Cornelius (Track 7)
Co-producer – Leon Sylvers (Tracks 2, 5)
Arranged By (Horns, Strings) – John Parrish
Arranged By (Horns) – Dean Boysen (Tracks 1, 6)
Arranged By (Horns) – Gene Dozier (Track 2)
Arranged By (Horns) – Ron Kersey, Don Cornelius (Track 7)
Arranged By (Rhythm) – Larry White (Tracks 1, 6)
Arranged By (Strings) – Gene Dozier (Tracks 1, 2, 5, 6)
Arranged By (Strings) – Bruce Miller (Track 7)
Arranged By (Vocals) – Nicholas Caldwell
Arranged By (Vocals) – Leon Sylvers (Tracks 2, 5)
Contractor (Horns) – John Parrish
Contractor (Horns) – Gene Dozier (Track 2)
Mastered By – Wally Traugott
Mixed By – Steve Hodge
Recorded By – Steve Hodge
Art Direction – Gribbitt!, Henry Vizcarra
Photography – Scott Hensel
Mastered At Capitol Mastering
Mixed At Larrabee Sound Studios
Mastered At Capitol Records
Recorded At Studio Masters
Phonographic Copyright Dick Griffey Productions
Copyright Solar Records