Love Explosion (album)

Love Explosion is Tina Turner's fourth solo album, released in March 1979 on the EMI label in the UK, Ariola Records in West Germany and United Artists in the United States. It was her second solo album to be released after she left husband Ike Turner and the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. The album features heavy influences of funk and disco.

Overview

Love Explosion was recorded in Europe and produced by one of the leading characters in French disco at the time, Alec R. Costandinos, who had worked with bands like Love And Kisses and Cerrone and also appeared on the soundtrack to the 1978 movie Thank God It's Friday. Love Explosion and its three singles, "Love Explosion" and "Music Keeps Me Dancin'" (both disco-oriented) and a mid-tempo cover of The O'Jays' 1972 soul classic "Back Stabbers", had minor success on the US and European charts. The album failed to receive any certifications and her record labels would part ways with her, making this Turner's last album on EMI (UK) or United Artists Records (US).

The album's track listing also includes two soulful ballads, "I See Home" and "Just A Little Lovin'", the latter originally recorded by Dusty Springfield on her 1969 album Dusty in Memphis. Love Explosion, just like the preceding Rough, was re-issued on CD by EMI in the early 1990s but is currently out of print.

Track listing

Personnel

• Tina Turner - vocals
• Jean-Claude Chavanat - guitar
• Tony Bonfils - bass
• Bernard Arcadio - keyboards
• André Ceccarelli - drums
• Manu Roche - percussion
• George Young, Laurence Feldman, Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone
• Lew Delgatto - baritone saxophone
• Barry Rogers, Dave Taylor, Tom Malon, Wayne Andre - trombone
• Alan Rubin, Randy Brecker - trumpet
• George Marge - oboe
• Arthur Simms, Stephanie de Sykes, Stevie Lange, Vickie Brown - background vocals
• The Pat Halling String Ensemble - strings

Production

• Produced by Alec R. Costandinos
• Arranged and conducted by Raymond T. Knehnestky
• Remixed at Trident Studios, London by Peter R. Kelsey
• "Love Explosion" and "Sunset on Sunset" recorded at Trident Studios, London
• "On the Radio" remixed at Red Bus Studios, London
• Design: RIA Images
• Photography: Calude Mougin