Leonard Charles Williams (born February 16, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the soul/funk group Tower of Power in the early 1970s.
As a solo artist, Williams made several hit recordings.
Lenny Williams released his seventh studio album, Taking Chances, in 1981 on MCA.
The album features roughly forty session players, including bassist Larry Graham, keyboardist Ronnie Foster, percussionist Victor Feldman, and The Waters. Hornists include trumpeter Greg Adams and saxophonists Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, and Lenny Pickett.
“I’m Sorry” trots through a jittery dancer, with Williams tightening the lead against a pent-up beat.
“Freefall (Into Love)” loosens into a repetitive romp and repeats its refrain over a quicker pulse.
“Responsible Man” trips through a relaxed dancer with a steadier midtempo line. “Where There’s a Will There’s a Way” settles into the album’s most rhythmic slowie, with the vocal held close to the cadence.
Andre Fischer, Dana Meyers, Kevin Spencer, Lenny Williams, Sandy Newman, and William Shelby produced tracks for Taking Chances.
Williams and Newman served as executive producers.
The album appeared with artwork by Kathe Schreyer and photography by Richard Arrindell.
MCA lifted “Freefall (Into Love)” as an October 1981 single (b/w “Let’s Talk It Over”), which reached No. 57 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.
Tracklist
1. Freefall (Into Love) (Lenny Williams; Paul Jackson Jr; Judy Wieder) - 3:10
2. I’m Sorry (Lenny Williams; Kenny Chavis) - 3:23
3. Where There’s A Will There’s A Way (J White) - 3:28
4. The Way You Love Me (Dana Meyers; Richard Randolph) - 4:23
5. Responsible Man (Paul Jackson Jr; Judy Wieder) - 4:04
6. Take A Long Last Look (Douglas James) - 3:26
7. Who’s Gonna Love You (Lenny Williams; Max Bennett) - 4:44
8. Standing In The Middle (Of A So Called Perfect Love Affair) (Lenny Williams; R Jackson) - 3:47
9. Taking Chances (Ken Gold; Billy Ocean) - 4:22
Companies, etc.
- Pressed By – MCA Pressing Plant, Gloversville
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – MCA Records, Inc.
Personnel
Backing Vocals – Julia Tillman, Luther Waters, Maxine Willard, Oren Waters, Bob Terry, Clydene Jackson, Lothar Struff, Maxayne Lewis, Sylvia St. James, Dana Meyers, Kevin Spencer, William Shelby
Bass – Freddie Washington
Bass – Larry Graham
Bass – Nathan East
Bass – Kevin Spencer
Bass – Freddie Washington
Drums – Ricky Lawson
Drums – Rick Shlosser
Drums – Wardell Potts Jr.
Drums – Ed Greene
Guitar – Charles Fearing, Paul Jackson, Jr., Ray Parker Jr., Donald Griffin, Robben Ford, George Sopuch, Ernest "Pepper" Reed, Richard Randolph
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Lenny Williams
Saxophone – Dave Boruff, Gary Herbig
Synthesizer – Michael Boddicker
Synthesizer – Ronnie Foster
Synthesizer, Soloist – Paul Jackson, Jr.
Trombone – Alan Kaplan
Trumpet – Charlie Davis, Ollie Mitchell
Horns – Tower Of Power Horn Section
Keyboards – Clarence McDonald, Clydene Jackson
Keyboards – William Shelby
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa, Victor Feldman
Vibraphone – Victor Feldman
Piano – Ricky D. Smith
Liner Notes
Producer – Lenny Williams, Sandy Newman
Producer – Andre Fischer
Producer – Kevin Spencer, William Shelby, Dana Meyers
Arranged By – Gene Page
Arranged By – McKinley Jackson
Concertmaster – Assa Drori
Conductor – Gene Page
Conductor – McKinley Jackson
Engineer – Bob Hughes
Engineer – Michael Schuman
Engineer – Michael Braunstein
Engineer – Steve Hodge
Engineer (Assistant) – Steve MacMillan
Engineer (Assistant) – Steve Hallquist
Engineer (Assistant) – Les Cooper
Engineer (Assistant) – Phil Moore
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Leon Sylvers III
Mixed By – Bob Hughes
Notes
Released: 1981
Genre: Funk / Soul
Runtime: 34:47
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