Heaven & Earth

Personnel: Ross Trout, Byron Gregory (guitar); Lawrence Hanks (piano, electric piano, Clavinet, synthesizer); James Mendell (piano, electric piano); Tom Tom 84 (electric piano, Clavinet, synthesizer); Patrick Leonard (synthesizer); Donnelle Hagan, Quentin Joseph, Steve Cobbs (drums); Derf Reklaw-Raheem (congas, bongos).
Audio Mixers: Hank Neuberger; Clarence Johnson ; Rodney G. Massey; Lawrence Hanks.
Recording information: Chicago recording Company; Hedden West Recording Studio.
Illustrator: John Yousii.
Photographer: Bill Frantz.
Heaven & Earth's debut release on Phonogram (Mercury) featured a string of ballads, which highlighted impressive vocals, arrangements and harmonies. Dean Williams demonstrates his vocal prowess throughout the album. Beginning with "Let's Work It Out," he complements the song's vintage bass groove with his soaring baritone lead, reminiscent of Teddy Pendergrass. Dwight Dukes' vibrant falsetto shines through the romantic ballad "Distant Melody." Dukes and Williams blend their crafty vocals on the doo wop-seasoned "How Do You Think You're Gonna Find Love," which is accompanied by a splendid string and horn arrangement. The featured single, "Guess Who's Back in Town," is Heaven & Earth's longest-charting single (12 weeks) and highest charted single (R&B #42) on Billboard. Williams' baritone simmers throughout the verses and choruses, and begins to get energized on the tail end of the last verse. During a time when Philippe Wynne of the Spinners was a dominant vocal force in R&B, this single is accented by the a cappella-harmonizing vamp of the group and Williams' soulful ad lib in Wynne fashion. ~ Craig Lytle