In and Out of Love (Mary Wells album)
Encyclopedia
In and Out of Love is the tenth studio effort and first album in thirteen years for R&B/soul singer Mary Wells
, released on the Epic
label.
, which Wells recorded for Jubilee Records
. After a second planned Jubilee release was shelved, Wells left the label in 1970 for Reprise Records
but after becoming a mother she had all but abandon live performing. In 1971 and 1974, Wells would record a couple of singles that were released to little success.
After 1974, Wells virtually retired from music. Having once spent a half-decade on top as one of the first stars to emerge out of Motown Records
, the former Motown diva was looking for a change after her marriage to Cecil Womack
dissolved in 1977 and a stormy relationship with Cecil's brother Curtis became off and on. She went back on the road in 1977 and was spotted by CBS Records
' urban-based president Larkin Arnold and was offered a deal with Epic
in 1980, which Wells accepted.
elements into her sound with only "These Arms" being the obvious reference to her sixties past. The single, "Gigolo", was issued and created a buzz around the dance clubs in the U.S. The song's response was immediate, landing to number sixty-nine on the R&B chart, number two on the disco chart and number-thirteen on the club play chart. The album, however, failed to chart though despite its relative mainstream failure it convinced Wells to continue her recording and performing career. The album's major failure was not just do to a semi-lack of promotion but the fact she had finished completion in 1979 and it was withheld for two years; most likely due to financial and business logistics, contributed by Wells' own personal problems. She'll release three more albums and several more singles on small labels until her death in 1992.
Mary Wells
Mary Esther Wells was an American singer who helped to define the emerging sound of Motown in the early 1960s...
, released on the Epic
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
label.
Coming out of retirement
By 1980, Mary Wells had only recorded on occasion since her last album, 1968's Servin' Up Some SoulServin' Up Some Soul
Servin' Up Some Soul is the eleventh overall album released by R&B legend Mary Wells, released in 1968 on the Jubilee record label. Her first and only release with the once-fabled R&B company yield a modest charter with "The Doctor", which would be Wells' final top 100 hit on the pop charts though...
, which Wells recorded for Jubilee Records
Jubilee Records
Jubilee Records was a record label specializing in rhythm and blues along with novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. Jerry Blaine became Abramson's partner. Blaine bought out Abramson's half of the company in 1947. The company name was Jay-Gee Recording...
. After a second planned Jubilee release was shelved, Wells left the label in 1970 for Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
but after becoming a mother she had all but abandon live performing. In 1971 and 1974, Wells would record a couple of singles that were released to little success.
After 1974, Wells virtually retired from music. Having once spent a half-decade on top as one of the first stars to emerge out of Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
, the former Motown diva was looking for a change after her marriage to Cecil Womack
Cecil Womack
In 1983, under the name of Womack & Womack, Cecil and Linda released a successful album, Love Wars, and continued to make albums until 1993. Their song "Love Wars" was covered by The Beautiful South for the 1990 compilation Rubáiyát. Their most successful single was "Teardrops" in 1988.-Albums:*...
dissolved in 1977 and a stormy relationship with Cecil's brother Curtis became off and on. She went back on the road in 1977 and was spotted by CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
' urban-based president Larkin Arnold and was offered a deal with Epic
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in 1980, which Wells accepted.
Release and reaction
Released in the late fall of 1981, In and Out of Love, produced by California-based R&B producer Greg Perry and the Mizell brothers (Fonce and Larry), the album was a departure for Wells as she incorporated funkFunk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
elements into her sound with only "These Arms" being the obvious reference to her sixties past. The single, "Gigolo", was issued and created a buzz around the dance clubs in the U.S. The song's response was immediate, landing to number sixty-nine on the R&B chart, number two on the disco chart and number-thirteen on the club play chart. The album, however, failed to chart though despite its relative mainstream failure it convinced Wells to continue her recording and performing career. The album's major failure was not just do to a semi-lack of promotion but the fact she had finished completion in 1979 and it was withheld for two years; most likely due to financial and business logistics, contributed by Wells' own personal problems. She'll release three more albums and several more singles on small labels until her death in 1992.
Track listing
All songs written and produced by Greg Perry unless otherwise noted- "These Arms" (4:52)
- "Share My Love" (5:57)
- "You Make Me Feel So Good Inside" (4:07)
- "Spend The Nights With Me" (4:15)
- "Let's Mix It Up" (4:05)
- "I'm Changing My Ways" (Mary Wells, Cecil WomackCecil WomackIn 1983, under the name of Womack & Womack, Cecil and Linda released a successful album, Love Wars, and continued to make albums until 1993. Their song "Love Wars" was covered by The Beautiful South for the 1990 compilation Rubáiyát. Their most successful single was "Teardrops" in 1988.-Albums:*...
) (3:47) - "I'm Not The One" (4:10)
- "Indian Giver" (4:30)
- "GigoloGigolo (Mary Wells song)"Gigolo" is a dance single written and produced by Fonce and Larry Mizell and released by R&B singer Mary Wells on the Epic Records label. It was the former Motown star's first single with the CBS-operated label and brought Wells brief renewed success on the Billboard chart.-Return from...
" (Larry Mizell, Fonce MizellMizell BrothersThe Mizell Brothers were a record producing team in the 1970s, consisting of Larry Mizell and Alphonso "Fonce" Mizell .-History:...
) (5:10)