LTD

Love, Togetherness and Devotion

L.T.D.

    Although first formed in 1968 it would take several years for L.T.D. to score a major hit. Along the way the group lay dormant for 18 years before re-grouping. An unusal feat for any musical act, L.T.D. was no ordinary group.
     Keyboardist Jimmie "J.D." Davis and bassist Abraham "Onion" Miller, both former backing musicians for Sam and Dave first got together in Greensville, S.C. in 1968. The two realized their musical melding and decided to move to New York to seek fame and fortune, this was the foundation for the group.
     After landing in New York the twosome recruited guitarist Johnny McGhee, horn player Carle Vickers, saxophonists Arthur "Lorenzo" Carnegie, Toby Wynn and Abraham Miller, and trombonist Jake Riley Jr. The new formed group began playing clubs around the tri-state area. As their musicianship became tighter they gained local noteriety but an elusive recording contract was not on the horizon. A collective decision was made to head west and Jeffrey Osborne was recruited as a vocalist and drummer before the move. Once in Los Angeles Osborne's brother Billy was added as an additional keyboardist.
     The group started playing the local music scene and before long they were a hot item on the rotating circuit. They came to the attention of an A&M Records talent scout who signed them to a contract in 1973. By 1974 the group had recorded their debut album for the label. "Love, Togetherness and Devotion" was largely written by the group and despite faith from A&M, the record failed to produce a hit. A second album released in 1975, "Gittin' Down," was once again largely written by group members Davis, Miller and Osborne. And once again they failed to generate the heat they did in concert.
     By 1976 the group was emerging from the underground and L.T.D. was ready for the plunge. With new producers, Larry and Fonce Mizell, they turned in a first rate offering. The album was so good it gave them their first hit single "Love Ballad." Osborne's powerful tenor gave the group an edge over other soul groups like Ohio Players and Earth, Wind and Fire. "Love To The World" peaked at number seven on the black album charts and heralded the arrival of the group.
     By 1977 disco was in full swing and two young songwriters, who themselves would be disco stars the following year, gave L.T.D. their monster breakthrough hit. The "Something To Love" album was a mixed bag of soulful numbers and danceable grooves. The Grey and Hanks penned "(Every Time I Turn Around I'm) Back In Love Again" was given a 12" remix and shot the group to international stardom. Sales of the album doubled their previous releases combined. And the group, and particularly Jeffrey, found themselves in big demand.
     For 1978's "Togetherness" the group focused on their ballad style and despite having a major club hit the year before they didn't try to follow that success. The two hit singles were "Holding On (When Love Is Gone)" and "We Both Deserve Each Other's Love." The overall quality of the album was excellent particularly Jeffrey's powerful vocals.
     By 1979 the group quickly tried to cash back in on the disco market they had topped two years earlier. "Devotion" was chocked full of danceable numbers. The 12" single of "Dance 'N Sing 'N" was released and despite being quite good their time on the dancefloor had come and gone. Too much competing product and not enough of a club fan base caused many to overlook this gem.
     Since the group's first national hit "Love Ballad," Jeffrey Osborne had been the featured vocalist for LTD. By 1980's album, "Shine On," it was apparent that Osborne was headed for his own solo career. The album was a return to their balld style utilizing Jeffrey's tenor to the max. Two singles charted, "Shine On" and "Where Did We Go Wrong," but neither hit the upper reaches.
     With Osborne gone it was a huge loss for L.T.D. and 1981's "Love Magic" was proof. Osborne was replaced by two new lead vocalists: Leslie Wilson and Andre Ray, both of them talented, expressive soulsters who demonstrated that they could handle the job nicely. This album produced one mildly successful 12" single, "Kickin' Back," and though the overall quality is excellent the album didn't quite seem like an L.T.D. offering. Osborne on the other hand went on to a rather successful solo career while L.T.D. faultered and disbanded shortly thereafter.
     After an 18 year absence from touring and recording Jonny McGhee reformed the group with new lead vocalist Greg Henneghan. 1999's "Marry You" was released on Clout Records and despite a fabulous title track the album was largely a grab bag of live re-recordings of their earlier hits and a few modern R&B tracks. Greg tries valiantly to capture Osborne's vocal stylings but the album still falls short. Since then they can be seen on the oldies circuit and the occassional T.V. spot. Our hats off to them for giving us one of disco's most enduring classics.