Love Unlimited Orchestra / Love Unlimited - Love's Theme / Under The Influence Of Love

Year Released: 1973
Genre: Soul / Orchestral Funk / Disco

Description:
Issued on 20th Century Records, this double-sided release pairs two Barry White masterworks: the instrumental “Love’s Theme” by the Love Unlimited Orchestra, and “Under the Influence of Love” by vocal trio Love Unlimited.

“Love’s Theme,” composed and produced by Barry White, is one of the earliest examples of disco orchestration — lush strings, wah-wah guitars, and soaring horns over a sleek groove. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974, becoming a defining instrumental of the decade and paving the way for disco’s rise.

“Under the Influence of Love,” originally co-written by Paul Politi and Barry White, is a velvety, romantic soul number featuring Glodean James, Barry’s future wife, on lead vocals. Its sensual phrasing and smooth production epitomize White’s sophisticated approach to soul.

Sampling / Influence:
“Love’s Theme” has been sampled widely in hip-hop and R&B:

Mary J. Blige – “You Bring Me Joy” (1994)

Jay-Z – “Guns and Roses” (featuring Lenny Kravitz, 2002)

Fatboy Slim – “Love Life” (1999, remix sample)
It also inspired countless covers, from Percy Faith to Orchestra Harlow, and remains one of the most recognizable and cinematic instrumentals of the 1970s.