Description
Intervention is the solo debut album by the British gospel singer and songwriter Lavine Hudson (June 26, 1961 – April 6, 2017), released on Virgin Records in 1988. The album was produced by various producers and recorded both in the UK (at Flame Studios in London, England) and in the US (at Selah Studios and The Sound Suite Detroit in Detroit, Michigan), engineered by Richard Digby Smith (except track A4 engineered by Steve King). Mixed by Digby Smith at The Town House and Eden Studios in London (except track B3 mixed by Steve Chase and track B4 mixed by Mike Brown). Featuring a cover of “Flesh Of My Flesh”, a song written by Leon Patillo and originally released on his 1981-album, Don’t Give In.
Much of the album’s freshness and originality came from the fact that she tapped into an under-exploited well-spring of talent and used producers and musicians from British gospel circles. The album didn’t sell particularly well in the UK even with Virgin releasing a 12-inch dance mix of the title track. However, in the US the title song reached the R&B charts and the album climbed to No. 19 on the Top 40 album sales chart.
It’s rare when an artist simply refuses to release an album until they can record it exactly the way they wish. ‘Intervention’ caps several years of perseverance for Lavine Hudson. Coming close to contracts several times, the British-born, Berklee-trained Hudson shrugged off the advances of record executives who advised her to work on a mainstream pop or R&B material. Says Hudson, “If you’re a gospel singer, you should remain one.”
Lavine Hudson has a rich, soaring vocal style that sometimes recalls Deniece Williams, and occasionally reminds one of gospel contemporary Twinkie Clarke, who, along with several Winans family members, is featured on ‘Intervention’.
Astute album jacket readers will note the presence of «Flesh of My Flesh», a Hudson/Leon Patillo composition, which was a hit a few years back for Patillo. As good as that song is, it’s not nearly the best on ‘Intervention’. «Celebrate Salvation» lives up to its title, with a swaying funk workout that gives Lavine a chance to wail. «Create In Me» displays Hudson’s penchant for blues phrasing, which also pops up again on «Learning How To Love». «Prodigal Boys» is a modern recasting of that familiar tale, undergirded by a slick, hip-hop beat.
Lavine wrote or co-wrote nine of the album’s ten tracks, and it is to her credit that they compare quite favorably with the closing tune, the traditional «Does Jesus Care». Hudson says “gospel music holds an atmosphere, makes you forget everything.” It’s a sure bet that if you purchase ‘Intervention’, you won’t forget the name Lavine Hudson. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, March 1989]
Back in the ’80s Lavine Hudson was touted as the breakthrough hope of the British gospel scene. Her voice was strong enough to garner comparisons with Whitney Houston and Mica Paris. The mighty Virgin Records signed her to a multi-album deal that left her with complete artistic control and it seemed that finally we might have a gospel star able to have mainstream success without compromising the message. Released back in 1988 to a huge hurrah, the album sadly didn’t deliver the hit singles that the label demanded although there are plenty of strong moments. The title cut is very much of its day and an excellent piece of perfect soulful pop with a message. But it flopped. Other highlights include «Celebrate Salvation» which musically sounds like something Luther Vandross might have recorded at the time. The gospel love song «Flesh Of My Flesh», penned by Leon Patillo, became a favourite at weddings. «Material World» is another sparkling ’80s production and the ballads «Learning How To Love» and «Create In Me» both hit the spot. Ultimately this is great British ’80s soul married to uncompromising gospel lyrics culminating in the gorgeous «Does Jesus Care» which closes the album. The fact that it didn’t sell is a travesty. Lavine did a second album for Virgin which was much more of a soul record with less of a gospel message. That also flopped. Sadly Lavine Hudson became ill and dropped out of the music scene but these days by all accounts, she still sings with her church choir. She should be applauded for her pioneering work and delivering an album that 20 years on still sounds great. So many in the UK gospel scene dream of crossing over in an uncompromising fashion and getting that big label deal. Lavine went there, did it and even with all of her huge talents couldn’t get the chart. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, May 2008]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Intervention” – 4:37
A2. “Flesh Of My Flesh (What I Want The World To Know)” – 4:52
A3. “Celebrate Salvation” – 3:24
A4. “Create In Me” – 4:49
A5. “Can’t You See” – 5:14
Side Two
B1. “Material World” – 4:08
B2. “Learning How To Love” – 5:39
B3. “Prodigal Boy” – 4:19
B4. “Home” – 4:36
B5. “Does Jesus Care” – 4:01
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Virgin Records.
Lavine Hudson – Intervention (Extended Mix) 12-inch vinyl single (Virgin Records 1988)
With much fanfare and excitement, London-based gospel singer Lavine Hudson was launched on the mainstream market by Virgin Records in 1988. Given complete artistic control and signed to a multi-album deal, comparisons were being made to Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. Indeed, musically ‘Intervention’ is reminiscent of ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who’ period Aretha. The 12 inch release of «Intervention» offers a powerful message song with Lavine not shrinking from the spiritual message while delivering a big hitting punch vocally and musically. Nicky Brown does a great job with the production and the track is taken from her debut album of the same name. There’s the original 7 inch mix and an extended 12 inch mix here along with the B side «It’s Me» which is a more traditional gospel stomper which could have come straight off the People Get Ready TV show. Sadly, mental health issues and record company attempts to make Lavine an “inspirational” rather than a “gospel” singer shortened this hugely talented diva’s career. But for a moment in 1988, Lavine was the brave new hope who could possibly take gospel music all the way to the pop charts. It didn’t happen, of course, but this is still a fine single! [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, May 2010]
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