Gloria Scott: What Am I Going to Do? (1974) ... plus

2009 is the 35th anniversary of this classic soul album, which was the first and only full-length studio release by Gloria Scott. Produced by Barry White with the best of his '70s approach, and featuring songs written by lesser-known White protege, Tom Brock, nearly every single cut here is a classic, a mixture of deep and mellow soul, plus slight traces of funk. The San Francisco-based singer imbued the songs White selected for the album with a convincing blend of heart, soul and hope. '(A Case of) Too Much Love Makin’' is emblematic of Scott's predicament across the album's eight original tracks: She is in love, giving every bit of herself, but it’s unrequited. White dresses Scott's love jones in his classic Love Unlimited style with help from Tom Brock and Gene Page. Sadness never sounded this good! It is a small mystery why the album had limited commercial appeal upon its release in 1974 by Casablanca Records. With White's stone cold production and Gloria's instantly captivating vocals, the quality was on par with any album in the marketplace at the time. A combination of factors, including the growing pains of a new record company and White's focus on his own burgeoning career, ultimately limited the reach of What Am I Gonna Do. Though a follow-up single, 'Just As Long as We're Together', hit the R&B Top 20 and held the top spot on the Disco Singles chart in early-1975, the second album she recorded with arranger H. B. Barnum was not released. For all his solo success, Barry White was not delivering on his contract with Gloria Scott. He became one of the most seminal figures of the '70s while Scott faded into obscurity. Titles include 'Love Me, Love Me, Love Me, or Leave Me, Leave Me, Leave Me', 'I Think of You', 'I Just Couldn't Take a Goodbye' and 'That's What You Say'. I also included one bonus track: her 1974 single 'Just As Long As We're Together'. Don't pass on this one: the whole thing is a masterpiece! http://www.popmatters.com/, http://www.dustygroove.com/, http://www.amazon.com/