Tracee Ellis Ross on Vibe Vixen.

Tracee Ellis Ross from the hit show "Girlfriends" graces the new edition of Vibe Vixen, Vibe Magazine's sister publication. She looks fab (and SO much like her momma).

DIANA ROSS – I LOVE YOU cd 2006

DIANA ROSS
“I LOVE YOU”
Album release date: 2nd October 2006
“When I was in the studio, surrounded by these very talented singers and musicians, sharing these songs, I was filled with deep emotion. What a gift love and music is to me.
My gift to you.” Diana Ross

Diana Ross has built her life on love; from a self-acknowledged childhood growing up in a house filled with family love, through those chart topping wistful teenage love songs (Baby Love, Where Did Our Love Go) which shaped the career of one of the most successful artists of all time, to today, when she talks often of the love of her children, and her gift of the love of life.

It is not surprising then, that for her first studio album in over seven years, “I Love You”, – remarkably almost her 60th album, that Diana chooses to dedicate the entire album to this most constant factor in her life.

The genesis of project and the creative journey of making the album are explained by Diana and co-executive producer Marylata E. Jacob:

THE SONGS

Each of the 14 songs chosen for this project has a very specific purpose or meaning to Diana. We researched and listened to hundreds of songs, literally, to find these 14. We wanted this CD to be played at celebrations of love and life: weddings, family gatherings, intimate moments.


The foundation of the concept started with Harry Nilsson’s “Remember”. Diana was listening to this song, while looking through family photo albums and became inspired to record a new CD. “Remember” has a dreaminess that sets up getting in touch with fond memories and present feelings. Diana has a connection with Nilsson’s work as she performed live, songs from his acclaimed animated musical, “The Point”.

Continuing with the search, we concentrated on songs with real craftsmanship in songwriting. Songs that haven’t been heard from in a long while but are completely timeless and recognisable. Lyrics that were affirmations of love.

“More Today Than Yesterday” was originally recorded by Spiral Starecase in the mid 60’s. It had this great upbeat vibe and always makes us smile. For live performances it is a strong, true audience participation sing-along with Diana song.

Marvin Gaye originally released “I Want You” in 1974. A little known fact is Diana’s brother, T-Boy Ross co-wrote this song with Leon Ware. While it is an homage to the talent of the Ross family, the reality is, it just grooves for days. It’s sensual and intimate. This song bridges the classics with the newer generation of line dancing songs made popular recently by R Kelly.

“I Love You (That’s All That Really Matters) is the only original song recorded for the CD. The writer, Fred White, has been touring with Diana as a back up singer for six years. His experience of her live persona and vocal range really came into play when he was writing this song, always with her in mind. It was serendipitous, as I had called Fred looking for the phone number of a singer, when he asked me if he could send me a song for Diana. When I heard it, I felt it was perfectly suited for the album’s concept. While Diana and I were on the way to a meeting, I popped the CD into my car stereo for her. She immediately took to the song.

“What About Love” was written for and released on the soundtrack of Oprah Winfrey’s stage production of “The Colour Purple”. The composers are Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Having recently been involved with Oprah’s Legends’ Ball and her relationship with Brenda Russell, interest in the soundtrack was piqued. The day the soundtrack CD was released, Diana chose it to record. Its offering is to be the ballad that Diana is renowned for performing.

Hal David and Burt Bacharach, two of the finest songwriters of all time, wrote the classic song “The Look of Love”. Artists ranging from Dusty Springfield to Sean Lennon have recorded this song. Why? Because it is brilliantly written. Diana’s made this song in to her own by having lived the lyrics. Guitarist, Heitor Pereira, a Brazil native and formerly of Simply Red, beautifully and tastefully captured the spirit and aura of Diana.

Bill Withers recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ASCAP here in Los Angeles, and with good reason. “Lovely Day” has a groove and simple lyric that has universal appeal to each of us, whether in or out of a relationship. Everyone is game for a lovely day.
This song makes Diana dance.

“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” went through a metamorphosis to emerge as this energetic version. This playful and fun-filled rendition was solely Diana’s vision, everything from the marching drums and brass, the New Orleans jazz vibe, and the Brian May guitar solo. Brian, having heard the final version, remarked simply, “Freddie would be proud”.

Diana, growing up in Detroit, listening to records, while slow dancing under a single source of light, was as close to heaven as it could get. Diana envisioned “Only You” in a new light. Her romantic, ultra slow sultry version is truly unique and decidedly Diana. The vocal is heartfelt and comes from DR’s own personal experience of young love.

“To Be Loved” was written by the legendary Berry Gordy and originally recorded by Jackie Wilson in 1958. It is the ultimate declaration of love.

While Diana and her son were watching Paul McCartney perform in Los Angeles, “I Will” captivated them. The simplicity of the lyric and strong melody made it a welcomed song into the heart of the CD. Peter Asher’s long history with the Beatles, gave this song depth.

“This Magic Moment” originally recorded by the Drifters, was brought to new life with Diana’s rendition.

Billy Preston passed away, shortly after we recorded the vocal on his song “You Are So Beautiful”. This song was chosen for its universal message. It reaches out and speaks not only to lovers, but also to relationships of all kinds, mother to child, child to grandparent, sister to sister, friend to friend.

“Always And Forever” was written by famed songwriter Rod Temperton and originally recorded by Heatwave. It’s a classic love song for all generations. A song to play as your first dance as husband and wife.

Book ending the sequence is a reprise of the song that started it all “Remember”. Love is a journey, as is this CD.

THE PRODUCERS

Co Executive producer Marylata E Jacob was first on board. “Miss Ross and I have a longstanding history of working together. 22 years ago, I was first hired as her personal secretary and album coordinator. My career rose over the years to become the Head of Music for DreamWorks film studios from its inception for it’s first seven years. The highlight resulted in a Grammy nomination for Best Producer, Soundtrack for Shrek.”

Next was up was Diana’s long time producer, Peter Asher. Together, their collaborations have sold millions of records. The single highlights are “When You Tell Me That You Love Me”, “One Shining Moment” and “If We Hold On Together” from the Spielberg/Lucas animated film, The Land Before Time. Peter produced ten songs, in his hometowns of Los Angeles and London.

Co-producer Steve Tyrell was introduced to Diana Ross when he produced Rod Stewart’s “Thanks For The Memory: Great American Songbook IV” CD, released in Autumn 2005. The first single was the duet with Rod and Diana, “Crush On You”. This album went to number two in the US, upon the release of the first single. Steve, working with his favourite New York arrangers and players, produced five songs.

THE SINGERS AND MUSICIANS

The best players from Los Angeles, New York and London were involved with this CD. Diana attended every session from the initial demos, tracking, overdubs and mixing. The players were blown away by her collaborative spirit, musicianship and direction. They gave their all on these tracks. Diana even flew to London to attend two days of orchestral recording sessions at EMI’s own, Abbey Road studios.

DIANA’S VOCALS

Diana is honest in her love of words. These song’s lyrics were true expressions of her depth and delight of love.

FROM CO-PRODUCER PETER ASHER:

Says Peter Asher, who returns to working with Diana having produced her 1991 hit album The Force Behind The Power: “On the 11th May, 1965 a callow young philosophy student recently turned pop star fell in love. As part of the so-called “British Invasion” his duo got to be on a major American TV show, Hullabaloo, with the Supremes. Their records were number ones in the UK. Their unbearably beautiful lead singer exuded a kind of glamorous professionalism and sense of style that was overshadowed only by the genius of her singing. The spirit, power and history of American soul music condensed into a voice of such understated elegance and sung with phrasing of such precision and subtlety that it could make you cry.

“41 years later I am proud that not only have Diana and I remained friends, but that I have again been given the opportunity to work with that extraordinary voice in the studio. Her contribution in the studio was very significant, above and beyond her singing – itself seemingly unchanged by the passing years in its emotional intensity and brilliance, yet having gained a certain wisdom and clarity that makes you believe every word she sings. On this record she tells us an eternal story, and does so with ineffable brilliance and accuracy.

“We must remember love in the past, nurture it in the present and dream of it in the future.”

Words surely Diana would herself echo.

TRACKLISTING

1. Remember
2. More Today Than Yesterday
3. I Want You
4. I Love You (That's All That Really Matters)
5. What About Love
6. The Look Of Love
7. Lovely Day
8. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
9. Only You
10. To Be Loved
11. I Will
12. Magic Moment
13. You Are So Beautiful
14. Always And Forever
15. Remember Reprise