Stay in Love (full title: Stay in Love: A Romantic Fantasy Set to Music) is the fourth studio album by American singer Minnie Riperton, released under Epic Records. The album features the hits "Young Willing and Able" and the Stevie Wonder collaboration "Stick Together". Unlike her previous works, the soft soul elements here tend to fade, replaced by a more upbeat disco sound which was the musical trend at the time. "Stick Together" peaked at no. 23 on Billboard's Hot Dance Play, an alternate version known as "Stick Together (Part One)" reached no. 57 on the U.S. Hot Black Singles chart.Billboard Singles > Chart History
Stay in Love was Riperton's first disco effort and the only of her releases predominantly in the genre. It was also her last album for Epic Records; she subsequently signed to Capitol Records (which she recorded two albums during her lifetime). Moreover, this was Riperton's first album since her debut, Come to My Garden, that didn't feature her husband Richard Rudolph as a producer or co-producer, although Rudolph still co-wrote the songs. In his place as producer was Motown veteran Freddie Perren in his only collaboration with Riperton.
Critical reception
The Bay State Banner wrote that Riperton's "ethereal voice is perfect for the romantic mood."
Track listing All tracks written by Minnie Riperton and Richard Rudolph, unless otherwise noted.
Personnel Minnie Riperton - vocals, backing vocals Don Peake - string and horn arrangements Odell Brown - string arrangements on "Can You Feel What I'm Saying?" and "Stay in Love" Wade Marcus - string and horn arrangements on "Gettin' Ready for Your Love" and "Wouldn't Matter Where You Are" Sonny Burke, John Barnes - keyboards Dick Rudolph, Tommy Tedesco - acoustic guitar Bob "Boogie" Bowles, Marlo Henderson - guitar Scott Edwards, Wilton Felder, Chuck Rainey - bass guitar James Gadson - drums Paulinho da Costa, Bob Zimmitti, Joe Clayton - percussion Plas Johnson - flute on "Gettin' Ready for Your Love" Billy Ford, Carolyn Dennis, Carolyn Majors Caston, Jim Gilstrap, John Lehman - backing vocals Pam Grier, Vicki Alley, Minnie Riperton, The Pastells - finger snaps on "Stick Together" Technical Larry Miles - recording and remixing engineer Freddie Perren - rhythm arrangements, production Irving Azoff - director Kosh - design David Alexander - photography Kevin Gray - mastering Production credits taken from album liner notes.
Charts Chart (1977)PeakpositionU.S. Billboard Pop Albums71U.S. Billboard Black Albums19
Singles YearTitle1977"Stick Together"23—"Stick Together (Part one)"—57
References