Workin' It Back is a studio album by the American R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass, released in 1985. It was his second record for Asylum Records. The album peaked at No. 96 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 6 on the Top Black Albums chart. The album spawned two singles, "Love 4/2" (No. 6 R&B) and "Let Me Be Closer" (No. 67 R&B), though neither appeared on the Billboard Hot 100. The album has been certified gold by the RIAA. Pendergrass co-wrote and co-produced two of the album's songs.
Critical reception
The Globe and Mail wrote that "the spasmodic anguish of the final cut, 'Love Emergency', is the most innovative song on the album, with the backup male chorus growling a chant over the groove as the background to Pendergrass's vocal flights." The Gazette thought that "even the Womacks can't raise a head of steam from the one-time Sound of Philadelphia."
Track listing "Love 4/2" (Pendergrass, James Carter, Nathaniel Lee) "One of Us Fell in Love" (Adrian Baker, Eddie Seago) "Never Felt Like Dancin'" (Dennis Matkosky, Monty Seward) "Let Me Be Closer" (Pendergrass, Linda Creed, Dennis Matkosky, Bill Neale) "Lonely Color Blue" (Cecil Womack, Linda Womack) "Want You Back in My Life" (Glen Ballard, Clif Magness) "Workin' It Back" (Clif Magness, Ellen Schwartz, Roger Bruno) "Love Emergency" (Cecil Womack, Linda Womack)
Personnel Teddy Pendergrass – vocals Ron Jennings – guitar Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar Bill Neale – guitar Cecil Womack – guitar, bass Clif Magness – guitar Neil Stubenhaus – bass Doug Grigsby – bass Dennis Matkosky – keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming Monty Seward – synthesized guitar, backing vocals Larry Williams – bass synthesizer Randy Kerber – acoustic and electric piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer Alan Pasqua – keyboards Eddie "Gip" Noble – keyboards Linda Womack – keyboards John Robinson – drums Raymond Pounds – drums James Gadson – drums Michael Mason – drum overdubs Paulinho da Costa – percussion Joel Peskin – saxophone Tenita Jordan – backing vocals Lynn Davis – backing vocals Shirley Jones – backing vocals Stephanie Reach – backing vocals Tammie Taylor – backing vocals Clydene Jackson – backing vocals Julia Waters – backing vocals Maxine Waters – backing vocals Vanessa Townsell – backing vocals The Womack Congregation – backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1985–1986) Peak position
Year-end charts Chart (1986) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 20
References