Love Is Reality
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Love Is Reality | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Genre | Soul, gospel, R&B | |||
| Label | World/Epic[1] | |||
| Producer | Tim Miner | |||
| Al Green chronology | ||||
| ||||
Love Is Reality is an album by the American musician Al Green, released in 1992.[2][3]
The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album".[4] It peaked at No. 29 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart.[5]
Recorded in Dallas, Love Is Reality was produced by Tim Miner.[6][7] It was an attempt to marry Green's traditional gospel and soul sounds to new jack swing.[8][9] Kirk Whalum played saxophone on the album; El DeBarge contributed backing vocals.[6][10]
Green cowrote all of the album's songs.[11] He raps on "You Don't Know Me".[12]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| Boston Herald | C+[14] |
| Calgary Herald | B+[15] |
| Chicago Tribune | [11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [16] |
Stereo Review wrote that Love Is Reality "would have been a better album if the gospel flavor were stronger, but Green pulls it all off with his customary aplomb."[17] The Chicago Tribune thought that some songs "are nearly indistinguishable from standard urban contemporary fare, with slick arrangements and occasionally ambiguous lyrics that are a far cry from standard hymns."[18]
The Calgary Herald determined that "the compositions here aren't bad, but it's Green's fluidly fervent, honey-toned voice which sets this disc apart."[15] USA Today called the album "a disappointment," and listed it as the third worst R&B album of 1992.[19] The Richmond Times-Dispatch deemed it a "high-tech, contemporary R&B gospel album."[20] The Boston Herald considered it to be "the weakest album of Green's career."[14]
AllMusic wrote that "Christian dance-pop producer Tim Miner works from formulas, while Green runs on inspiration."[13]