Barry Eugene White (born Barrence Eugene Carter on September 12, 1944 in Galveston, Texas) rose from a shaky to become one of the acknowledged giants of the industry during the 1970s. His early years were spent living in South Central Los Angeles where, at the age of 10, he became a gang member which, one supposes, was the key to survival then (and now). When he was 17 he went to jail on a 4-month sentence for targeting wheels off of Cadillacs, and while there he credits the turn-around in his life to hearing Elvis Presley sing It's Now Or Never.

His first foray into music was as a member of the group The Upfronts who had 5 singles released on the Lumitone label from 1960 to 1964 (none of which charted). He then took his deep bass voice as a solo artist to Atlantic in 1964, and in 1966 recorded as Barry Lee for Downey (Man Ain't Nothin'/I Don't Need It), again without success. After working as the A&R man for a couple of years for two more small labels, he formed an all-female trio he named Love Unlimited in 1969 consisting of sisters Linda and Glodean (whom he would marry in 1974) James and Diane Taylor and, as their manager/producer, watched as their first hit, Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love, hit # 6 R&B/# 14 Billboard Pop Hot 100 in the spring of 1972 for the Uni label. Barry added his voice to the song as "the man on the telephone."

By mid-1973 the group was with 20th Century where they would add 5 more hit singles to 1975 before switching to Unlimited Gold, there adding 4 more to 1980. In the meantime, Barry had organized the 40-piece Love Unlimited Orchestra to back their songs, and from late 1973 to 1977, with Barry conducting, that huge congregation added 7 instrumental hits of their own, including their first, Love's Theme (# 1 Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary (AC)/#10 R&B in December 1973/January 1974) which, some say, ushered in the "disco" sound.

The orchestra would also back Barry on many of his solo hits, which kicked in with I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby, a monster # 1 R&B (7 weeks at the top), # 3 Hot 100 and # 27 AC in May/June 1973 on 20th Century. He would add 19 more with that label to 1979, then 11 with Unlimited Gold from 1979 to 1982, and after being off the charts for five years, would have 15 more from 1987 to 1999 for A&M. Qwest, Cold Chillin', Virgin and Private Music.

In this great 2-CD package, which has excellent sound reproduction, you get all but one of his 20th Century hits (the missing one is Baby, We Better Try To Get It Together which hit # 29 R&B/# 92 Hot 100 in summer 1976), two from his Unlimited Gold days (It Ain't Love Babe (Until You Give It Up) and Love Makin' Music), four A&M hits (Sho' You Right, Put Me In Your Mix, Practice What You Preach and Come On), nd his last charter from summer 1999 on Private Music, the # 45 R&B Staying Power. Mixed in are three Love Unlimited Orchestra hits - Love's Theme, Satin Soul and My Sweet Summertime Suite. Full details of the contents are contained in the discography in the insert, which also contains four pages of liner notes written by Brian Chin, a well-known dance music/pop chronicler since 1978 for Record World, The Village Voice, Billboard, Record Mirror, Music Business International. the New York Post and London's Music Week.

Sadly, after suffering from chronic high blood pressure for years, resulting in kidney failure, Barry passed away on July 4, 2003. A little over a year later, on September 20, 2004, he was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame.

I recently purchased this Barry White cd, and it is fabulous. His music is so romantic and heartfelt. I can think of none other I would rather listen to on a quiet evening spent at home with the one I love. I would highly recommend Barry White's music for anyone who considers themselves to be "hopelessly" romantic. I have gotten much enjoyment from Barry White's music, and hope to enjoy it for many years to come.

Can anyone who purchased Barry Whites "Ultimate Collection" tell me if the classics (Never Gonna Give You Up, etc.) are full length versions. I've been looking for years for original length verisons of his classics, but have yet to find a Best of or Greatest Hits CD which contains these. After reading some of the reviews, no one mentions that. I would really like to know. Thanks

Ah, Barry Eugene White, the Man with the Velvet Voice. It's hard to believe that he's gone, and at only 58 years of age, such a loss. I love Barry White's smooth, soulful, sexy sound, which seems to go right through me. Nothing is better than slow dancing to Barry's songs. And, this is a great album for hearing those sounds. It has 30 great Barry White songs - some you'll recognize, such as I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby, Never Never Gonna Give Ya Up, and Love's Theme - and some you won't, but you'll love anyway.

Do your loved one a favor, and get this two CD set, and pop them into your best player. Let it work its magic on you. It's guaranteed! :-)

(Review of Barry White - The Ultimate Collection)

Absoutely love this CD....so easy to listen to...... the man can sing.

IT MAKES A GREAT VALENTINES DAY GIFT :)