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Love or Physical
Studio album by Ashford & Simpson
Released	1989
Studio	Above Asia, New York City Science Lab, New York City Axis Studios, New York City Sigma Sound, New York City
Label	Capitol
Producer	Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Ashford & Simpson chronology
Real Love (1986) Love or Physical (1989) Been Found (1996)

Love or Physical is an album by the American musical duo Ashford & Simpson, released in 1989. The first single was "I'll Be There for You". The duo would not record another album until 1996's collaboration with Maya Angelou, Been Found. The album peaked at No. 135 on the Billboard 200.

Production

The title track was originally called "Honest to Goodness Love"; it in part alludes to AIDS and infidelity.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times wrote that "In Your Arms" "is the loveliest and most genuinely sensual ballad this husband-and-wife duo has recorded in a long time." The St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted that "their sound is impeccably produced but actually quite sparse in spots."

The Advocate stated that "the title track is a fresh urban-contemporary approach to male-female relationships." USA Today concluded that the album "goes beyond carnal concerns and explores deeper matters." The Dallas Morning News concluded that "it's still a pleasure to listen when the vocal interplay between these two veterans turns dexterous, as it does on the romantic ballad 'I'll Be There for You'."

Track listing

All tracks are written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson; except where noted.

Personnel

• Nickolas Ashford – vocals, arrangements (1, 2, 4–8), additional percussion (1, 8), drum programming (2, 7), percussion (2, 7), backing vocals (4)
• Valerie Simpson – vocals, arrangements (1, 2, 4–8), additional synthesizers (1), synthesizers (2, 4, 5), additional percussion (1, 8), drum programming (2, 7), percussion (2, 7), backing vocals (4), synth solo (7)
• Kevin Jones – Synclavier programming
• Danny Sembello – keyboards (1), keyboard solo (1), synthesizers (1, 8), drum programming (1, 8), arrangements (1, 8)
• Joseph Joubert – additional synthesizers (1, 6, 7), synthesizers (2, 4, 5), arrangements (2, 4, 5)
• David Frank – synthesizers (3), arrangements (3)
• Leon Pendarvis – synthesizers (6), arrangements (6)
• Lenny Underwood – keyboard overdubs (7)
• Ira Siegel – guitars (3, 6)
• Nile Rodgers – guitars (8)
• Jimmy Bralower – drum programming (4–6)
• Bashiri Johnson – congas (5), percussion (5)
• V. Jeffrey Smith – saxophone solo (5)
• Mic Murphy – arrangements (3)
• Edgar Bronfman Jr. – arrangements (6)
• Bruce Roberts – arrangements (6)

Production

• Ashford & Simpson – producers (1, 2, 4–8)
• David Frank & Mic Murphy – producers (3)
• Kevin Jones – recording (1, 2, 4–8), vocal recording (7, 8)
• Stephen Seltzer – recording (3), mix assistant (3)
• Jimmy Simpson – vocal recording (7, 8)
• Michael Hutchinson – mixing (1–6), supervision (1–6)
• François Kervorkian – mixing (7, 8), guitar recording (8)
• Nick Delre – mix assistant (1, 2, 4–6)
• Goh Hotoda – mix assistant (7, 8)
• George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
• Tee Alston – album coordinator
• Tommy Steele – art direction
• Susan Silton – design
• Timothy White – album photography
• James Finney – hair, make-up

References

1. "Jet's Top 20 Albums". Jet. Vol. 76, no. 6. May 15, 1989. p. 62.
2. Hiltbrand, David (Apr 10, 1989). "Picks & Pans—Song: Love or Physical". People. Vol. 31, no. 14. p. 23.
3. Kirk, Kris (Apr 15, 1989). "Two of a Kind". Melody Maker. Vol. 65, no. 15. p. 11.
4. Moon, Tom (30 June 1989). "Ashford and Simpson Will Be There for You". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 36.
5. Bessman, Jim (Sep 28, 1996). "Ashford & Simpson launch label". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 39. p. 9.
6. "Ashford & Simpson". Billboard.
7. Eichenberger, Bill (May 18, 1989). "Songwriters Change with Time". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 2.
8. "Ashford & Simpson Love or Physical". AllMusic.
9. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 271.
10. ^ Johnson, Connie (19 Mar 1989). "Ashford & Simpson 'Love or Physical'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 75.
11. Burnes, John (24 Mar 1989). "Critic's Choice". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. F4.
12. Gilbert, Calvin (March 10, 1989). "Ashford and Simpson sticking to classic themes". Fun. The Advocate. p. 2.
13. Radel, Cliff (March 17, 1989). "Ashford & Simpson, 'Love or Physical'". USA Today.
14. Samuels, Lennox (May 7, 1989). "Ashford and Simpson, Love or Physical". The Dallas Morning News. p. 12C.

• Ashford & Simpson albums
• 1989 albums
• Capitol Records albums