Reaching for Tomorrow | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 1980 | |||
Recorded | 1979–1980 | |||
Studio | Jennifudy Studios, North Hollywood, California; Motown/Hitsville U.S.A. Studios, Hollywood, California; Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Label | Gordy Records | |||
Producer | Bobby DeBarge, Gregory Williams, Tommy DeBarge, Jody Sims, Jermaine Jackson | |||
Switch chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Reaching for Tomorrow is the third album by R&B/funk band Switch, released in 1980 by Gordy Records. [2] The album reached No. 23 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. [3]
Reaching for Tomorrow was recorded at Jennifudy Recording Studio, Motown/Hitsville U.S.A studios, Caribou Ranch studios and Kendun Recording Studios. [2] [4]
During July 2019, an expanded edition of Reaching for Tomorrow was released digitally. Along with the album's reissue came a bonus track entitled "Tahiti Hut" featuring Jermaine Jackson. The song was produced by Jackson with Bobby DeBarge also singing falsetto on the track. [4] [5]
The album received positive reviews from music critics. [6] [7] [8]
Cashbox Magazine describes the album: "The band throws everything but the kitchen sink into this album – funky bass, rockin’ guitar, classical strings, Memphis Horns et al – and it is a must for R&B and pop programmers." [9]
Barry Lederer of Billboard writes "Switch has come full swing with a humdinger of an LP titled "Reaching For Tomorrow" which blends r &b /funk to perfection. From full arrangements, bright orchestrations and tight vocalizations, the group swings from one cut to another." [10]
Billboard features Reaching for Tomorrow on its Top Album Picks for 29 March 1980. The six -member group keeps the tempo danceable on its latest LP, sparking the tunes with sizzling rhythm, string and horn arrangements. [11]
Sal Caputo of the Courier-News writes: "Switch offers a pleasant mix of funk, pop, rock psychedelia and dance beat. It trades vocals with verve. Its arrangements change textures enough to undercut the weight of repetition." [12]
Paul Willistein Jr. of The Morning Call commended the “Super-fast rhythms, intricate guitar riffs and astonishing vocals” as setting Switch apart from most disco funk bands and said their reliance on R&B over disco is what makes Motown artists top charts. He noted the "amazing voices" on the title track and “impressive string arrangements”. [13]
Chart (1980) | Peak position |
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US Top LPs & Tape [14] | 57 |
US Top Soul LPs [3] | 23 |
Jermaine LaJuane Jackson is an American singer, songwriter and bassist. He is known for being a member of the Jackson family. From 1964 to 1975, Jermaine was second vocalist after his brother Michael of the Jackson 5, and played bass guitar. In 1983, he rejoined the group, which had been renamed the Jacksons; he then consistently played in the group's performances and recordings until he left the group again in 2020.
DeBarge was an American musical recording group composed of several members of the DeBarge family. In addition to various solo projects completed by members of the family, DeBarge was active between 1979 and 1989. The group originally consisted of El, Mark, Randy, and Bunny. James joined the group a year later for their 1982 second album. Bobby joined in 1987, following the departures of Bunny and El.
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Robert Louis DeBarge Jr. was an American musician. He was the lead singer of the Motown R&B/soul vocal group Switch and was noted for his falsetto vocals. Later on, he served as both mentor and a co-producer of his siblings' band, DeBarge, eventually joining them to fill in for departing members El and Bunny. Personal problems, including substance abuse which eventually led to drug trafficking charges in 1988, plagued DeBarge in later years, taking focus away from his musical career. He contracted HIV in the 1980s, and died of AIDS complications in 1995 at age 39.
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In a Special Way is the third studio album by American R&B group DeBarge, released by Gordy Records on September 23, 1983. It was recorded at Kendun Records in Burbank and Westlake Audio in West Hollywood; written and produced by lead vocalist El DeBarge with additional writing by Mark, James and Bunny DeBarge.
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This Is My Dream is the fourth album by R&B group Switch. It was released in 1980. This is also the only album during their tenure with Motown not to feature input from Jermaine Jackson; they produced this album themselves.
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