Description
Universal Love is a gospel album by the American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Billy Preston, released on Myrrh Records in 1980, a division of Word. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Russ Terrana assisted by James Warmack at Motown Recording Studios in Hollywood, California; with Billy Preston producing and arranging.
Featuring Billy Preston on vocals as well as piano, organ, and synthesizers; backed by a session band consisting of Ronnie Vann on guitar, Robert “Pee Wee” Hill on bass, Nicklos Lewis on drums, and Tyrell Deadrick on percussion, with Charles Cleveland sitting in on harmonica. Background vocals provided by Vonciele Faggett, Jeannie Jackson, and Francine Howard. (Except track B3, “Just For Us”, where Preston is backed by David T. Walker on guitar, Kenny Burke on bass, Ollie E. Brown on drums, and Bobbye Hall on percussion, with background vocals by Hodges, James and Smith. Strings and horns arranged by Dave Blumberg.)
Caution: Before putting this record on the turntable, make sure your feet have plenty of room to move, and that nothing in front of your speakers is likely to be adversely affected by a thundering bass line.
‘Universal Love’ comes on strong and never really lets up until the soft strains of «Amazing Grace» close out side two. Unlike his previous Myrrh effort, Preston’s new gospel album stays mainly in the «Will It Go Round In Circles?» groove. Hang on to your woofers, ’cause the bottom end of this disc is somewhere down in bedrock thanks to some good recording (it was cut at Motown’s L.A. studios) and some get down bass playing by Robert “Pee Wee” Hill and Kenny Burke. Preston, of course, handled all the keyboards with his usual finess.
While this record has a lot of sonic depth, it falls a bit short lyrically. While not theologically profound nor especially creative, the songs express an unbridled joy in salvation. That, perhaps, is what ‘Universal Love’ is all about. It is a celebration. A party, if you will.
Preston is a well respected artist in the secular field (his duet with Syreeta, «With You I’m Born Again», is now in the top 20), and perhaps the Christian statement made by this album will catch the ear (and heart) of some of his fans. Preston produced and arranged himself. [CCM, April 1980]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Move On Up” – 4:24
A2. “With The Help Of The Lord” – 3:37
A3. “You Can’t Hurry God” – 4:04
A4. “Universal Love” – 3:55
Side Two
B1. “Jesus” – 4:49
B2. “One With The Lord” – 3:38
B3. “Just For Us” – 5:36
B4. “Amazing Grace” – 2:50
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.
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