Love’s Still Changing Hearts

Description

Love’s Still Changing Hearts is an album by the American pop quartet The Imperials, released on StarSong Records in 1990. The album was produced by Morris “Butch” Stewart, Jr.

The Imperials’ (vocal) lineup on this album features Armond Morales, David Robertson, David Will, and Ron Hemby.

To kick off the ’90s, not only do the Imperials move to a new label and signal a different musical direction; they also break in a new singer and dig around in a musical past that now spans almost 30 years. With so much on the musical agenda, the Imperials naturally have a lot of bases to touch. They manage to cover quite a bit of that territory on ‘Love’s Still Changing Hearts’.

They chose to record this new album in Chicago with producer Morris “Butch” Stewart. Stewart, known in Christian music circles for his previous work with Steve Camp, and more recent with Recess, brings a strong R&B and black gospel flavor to this effort. The opener, «Big Ball Turning», is perhaps the best thing happening here, tipping its hat in direction of Prince and George Michael. Of all the tracks, «Ball» seems most consistent with the dance/pop style and energy heard in the Imperials’ last couple of albums. Compact, tight, and punchy, Stewart also co-wrote this tune and the one that follows, «Love Can Make It Happen». Overall though, this record is more conservative in its approach and moves away from high-gloss, dance-oriented production values.

In the future, everyone will have been A Former Imperial, it seems. With the addition of David Robertson, taking the place of Jimmie Lee, the Imperials’ lineup shifts once more. Robertson’s tenor is heard on «Original Love» and «It’s Raining Again». And Ron Hemby brings a powerful, emotional edge to several cuts, most notably «Come Into My Life» and «It’s Gonna Be Alright». The latter boasts a hot Memphis-style horn chart.

The first two-thirds of the album are the best. After the title track is out of the way, however, the pace slows down somewhat and the album backs off from its premise and returns to more familiar territory on songs like «Come Let Us Worship» and «Goin’ Away».

There is also a bonus cut – «Platinum Medley», a Vegas-like rendition of the Imperials’ biggest hits. Those who cannot cope with unremitting nostalgia are advised to flip the cassette over and listen to «Big Ball Turning» once more. [Mark Eischer, CCM, April 1990]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/loves-still-changing-hearts/715791082)

CD tracklist:

01. Big Ball Turning – 5:17
02. Love Can Make It Happen – 4:37
03. Come Into My Life – 4:33
04. Original Love – 4:36
05. I Will Follow You – 4:51
06. It’s Raining Again – 4:45
07. It’s Gonna Be Alright – 4:47
08. Love’s Still Changing Hearts – 4:26
09. Come Let Us Worship – 4:40
10. Goin’ Away – 3:40
11. Platinum Medley – 8:46

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by StarSong Records.

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