Love Train - The Gamble and Huff Songbook

Since Ace began what soon became a ‘Songwriter Series’ some years ago, one of the most frequently asked questions from customers and retailers alike has been ‘When are you going to do a Gamble and Huff project?’ Their songwriting partnership celebrates its 60th anniversary next year, and so with that in mind – and while these venerable gentlemen are both still with us – there has never been a more opportune time for Kent to debut Love Train: The Songs Of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff than now.

This star-studded collection covers approximately the first decade of their partnership and features as many of the songs that forged their reputation as a team as could fit onto a single CD. Of course, we could have taken the easy way out and just filled it up with tracks that they also produced for their legendary Philadelphia International imprint but, as always, we have chosen to supplement a stellar and comprehensive selection of PIR classics with several versions that paint a bigger picture of the timeless appeal of their compositions.

As well as the O’Jays, Lou Rawls, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, and other famous names closely associated with G & H, you’ll hear the likes of Dusty Springfield, the Supremes, Dobie Gray, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and even Elvis Presley putting their respective spins on Gamble-Huff copyrights. Blues treatments, reggae versions – you name it and “Love Train” almost certainly has it!

A long-standing motto of Gamble, Huff, and their close friend and frequent collaborator Thom Bell’s Mighty Three publishing company was and still is ‘You’ll Never Forget Our Tunes’. The selections in this collection will prove that to be true for decades to come.

1. “LOVE IN THEM THERE HILLS” - The Vibrations
2. “UNITED” - Peaches And Herb
3. “I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME” - Madeline Bell
4. “(YOU) GOT WHAT I NEED” - Freddie Scott
5. “A BRAND NEW ME” - Mary Wells
6. “ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE” - Elvis Presley
7. “COWBOYS TO GIRLS” - The Intruders
8. “LOST” - Jerry Butler
9. “TOGETHER” - Gladys Knight & The Pips
10. “I CAN'T STOP DANCING” - Archie Bell And The Drells
11. “LET'S GET TOGETHER SOON” - Dusty Springfield
12. “AIN'T NO DOUBT ABOUT IT” - Wilson Pickett
13. “DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE” - Joe Simon
14. “LOVE TRAIN” - The Supremes
15. “ME AND MR. JONES” - Barbara Mason
16. “EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART” - Margo Thunder
17. “I LOVE MUSIC (ALBUM VERSION)” - The O'Jays
18. “I'VE GOT THE GROOVE” - George Faith
19. “DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY” - Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
20. “NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP” - Bonnie Bramlett & Dobie Gray
21. “YOU'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LOVE LIKE MINE” - Lou Rawls
22. “IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW” - Jean Carn and The Temptations
23. “NOW THAT WE'VE FOUND LOVE” - Third World
24. “HEY WESTERN UNION MAN” - Bobby Rush