Love is the Better Way

Description

Love is the Better Way is the sole album by the American soul singer Vince Ebo (May 17, 1954 – December 14, 1993), released on Warner Alliance in 1992, a gospel division of Warner Bros. Records. Vince Ebo is probably best known for his work with Charlie Peacock.

For a while in the late ’60s and early ’70s, socio-political themes were nearly as common in soul music as rallies to party and romantic sentiments. Perhaps because of the Church’s prominent role as agent for social change in the African-American community, much of this music voiced great hope. Vince Ebo’s solo debut, ‘Love is the Better Way’, picks up on this vibe and translates it into an array of contemporary black pop forays.

As such, the majority of the album works in conceptual unity. Only the combination of several producers and a “let’s see what sticks to the wall (and charts?)” approach to finding Ebo’s niche hamper the set from coalescing musically as effectively.

So, the ineffective beat-metal of «Shaken» arrives between the slightly shocking “police break-up” concluding the merry motivation of «Make it Work» and art-gospel plea for political honesty in «These are the Questions», where Ebo’ nuanced baritone despairs and ponders against a stately, staggered piano line.

Earlier on the same side, the title track reshapes ’70s soul essence with downtempo dance and quiet storm smarts, but a couple of other “love” numbers on side two share traits too similar to recent R&B hits you likely know. The post-swingbeat featured for «Why» pales compared to the earlier jubilation of «Forgiven». «It’s Over» acts as the love come-down, mellow denouement for the forgiveness.

Though not the masterpiece Ebo should have in him, ..’the Better Way’ shows off a few new facets of the man that make for a pleasingly compassionate listen [Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, May 1992]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/love-is-the-better-way/267978465)

CD tracklist:

01. Forgiven – 4:08
02. Love Is the Better Way – 5:17
03. Make It Work (Vincenzo’s Groove) – 5:41
04. I Will Not Be Shaken – 4:52
05. These Are the Questions – 5:46
06. Why – 4:24
07. It’s Over (Prelude) – 1:06
08. It’s Over – 5:16
09. Real Love – 4:23
10. Long Time Comin’ – 4:00
11. Love – 4:28

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Warner Alliance.

A full-page advertisement for Vince Ebo’s Love Is the Better Way was featured in the April 1992 issue of CCM Magazine.