The Icon Is Love

• Artist: Barry White
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1994
• Total Time: 64:57
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Barry White has been to the top of the charts an admirable number of times, but only one of his hits was a ballad (a studio effort for the Quincy Jones album Back on the Block that included El DeBarge, James Ingram and Al B. Sure!). However, as a solo artist, White has never had a ballad usurp the number one spot on the Billboard charts. The Icon Is Love's featured release fills that void. "Practice What You Preach," which unites the maestro with producers Gerald LeVert and Edwin Nicholas, has a simmering arrangement, evocative lyric, and White's brawn delivery. The catchy melody and sensuous female backing vocals enhance this already stellar single. It stayed on the Billboard R&B charts for 30 weeks and had a consecutive three-week run at number one. White showcases his seductive, bassy baritone with romantic rap introductions on most of the selections. There is a balance of uptempo and balladic songs. The other two featured releases were "Come On" and "There It Is." The former is reminiscent of his days as the king of disco-swing, and the latter is a contemporary funky ballad. Respectively, they tipped in at 12 and 54. White, who is credited as producer and writer on every selection, embraces the savvy writing talents of industry veterans Barry Eastmond and Michael Lovesmith, and the keen production skills of Chuckii Booker (his godson), Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Jack Perry. ~ Craig Lytle, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Practice What You Preach	Barry White	Barry White	(5:59)
There It Is	Barry White	Barry White	(7:03)
I Only Want to Be with You	Barry White, Terry Lewis, James Harris	Barry White	(5:01)
The Time Is Right	Barry White, Chuckii Booker	Barry White	(5:46)
Baby's Home	Barry Eastmond	Barry White	(8:17)
Come On	Barry White, Terry Lewis, James Harris, James "Big Jim" Wright	Barry White	(5:50)
Love Is the Icon	Barry White, Jack Perry	Barry White	(4:38)
Sexy Undercover	Barry White, Jack Perry	Barry White	(4:51)
Don't You Want to Know	Michael Lovesmith, Barry White	Barry White	(6:51)
Whatever We Had, We Had	Michael Lovesmith, Barry White	Barry White	(10:41)

Credits

Barry White (Keyboards), Barry White (Vocals), Barry White (Producer), Barry White (Main Performer), Gerald Albright (Saxophone), Chuckii Booker (Drums), Chuckii Booker (Keyboards), Chuckii Booker (Programming), Core Cotton (Vocals (Background)), Jack Perry (Drums), Jack Perry (Keyboards), Jack Perry (Programming), Jimmy Wright (Vocals (Background)), Libby Turner (Vocals (Background)), Carrie Harrington (Vocals (Background)), Tony Nicholas (Drums), Tony Nicholas (Keyboards), Tony Nicholas (Programming)