Description
Totally Committed is an album by the American singer, songwriter, and session vocalist Howard Smith, released on Light Records in 1985. The album was produced by Bill Maxwell of Koinonia fame. Rhythm arrangements by Scott V. Smith.
Featuring a cover of “What A World It Would Be”, a song written by Per-Erik Hallin and originally recorded on his 1982-album Better Late Than Never.
In the late ’70s, Howard Smith was part of the scene surrounding Andrae Crouch. He worked and befriended the Winans, sang on Andrae’s albums and signed to Light Records for this contemporary gospel album released in 1985. Nominated for a Grammy, ‘Totally Committed’ highlights the sweet soul voice of Mr Howard and is packed with a pile of solidly written songs and a pleasant production that mixes good arrangements with plenty of nicely developed vocal ideas as Smith interplays with various backing singers. Highlights include the funkier opening cut «Perfect Love» which settles onto a fine groove. Equally groovy is the single «I Wanna Get To Know You» which is driven along by some strong bass work. The closing title track finishes things off with a soulful prayerful ballad of commitment to God. Some of these tracks have travelled pretty well from the mid ’80s and overall, this is a pretty good indication of the state of American gospel in that era. It’s well crafted, well produced and whilst not doing anything radical, still has the power to minister. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, October 2011]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Perfect Love”
A2. “We Are One”
A3. “I Wanna Get To Know You”
A4. “Give Your Love Away”
A5. “What A World It Would Be”
Side Two
B1. “Clean”
B2. “I Will Remember”
B3. “Why Not Love”
B4. “Totally Committed”
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Light Records. Re-issued on CD by Light Records in 1987.
CREDITS. Produced by Bill Maxwell. Rhythm arrangements by Scott V. Smith.
Musicians: Howard Smith (Lead Vocals), Harlan Rogers (Keyboards), Michael Ruff (Keyboards, Synthesizer), Rhett Lawrence (Synthesizer), Steve Tavaglione (Alto Saxophone), Dean Parks (Guitars), James Harrah (Guitars), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Andrew Gouche (Bass), Bill Maxwell (Drums, Percussion), Alex Acuña (Percussion).
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