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.[1]

Stay in Love
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 1977
RecordedMarch–April, October 1976
Studio
Genre
Length37:23
LabelEpic
ProducerFreddie Perren
Minnie Riperton chronology
Adventures in Paradise
(1975)
Stay in Love
(1977)
Minnie
(1979)
Singles from Stay in Love
  1. "Stick Together (Part 1) / (Part 2)"
    Released: February 27, 1977
  2. "Wouldn't Matter Where You Are / Gettin' Ready for Your Love"
    Released: May 25, 1977
  3. "Young, Willing and Able / How Could I Love You More"
    Released: July 16, 1977

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 Ripperton'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

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [2]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul     [3]

The Bay State Banner wrote that Riperton's "ethereal voice is perfect for the romantic mood."[4]

Track listing

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All tracks written by Minnie Riperton and Richard Rudolph, unless otherwise noted.

Side One
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Young Willing and Able"Riperton, Rudolph, Marlo Henderson3:44
2."Could It Be I'm in Love" 4:17
3."Oh Darlin' ... Life Goes On"Riperton, Rudolph, Freddie Perren3:50
4."Can You Feel What I'm Saying?"Riperton, Rudolph, Leon Ware4:17
5."Gettin' Ready for Your Love" 3:38
Side Two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Stick Together"Riperton, Rudolph, Stevie Wonder6:18
7."Wouldn't Matter Where You Are"Riperton, Rudolph, Henderson4:00
8."How Could I Love You More" 4:05
9."Stay in Love" 3:16

Personnel

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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

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Chart (1977) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Pop Albums[5] 71
U.S. Billboard Black Albums 19

Singles

Year Title US
Dance
US
R&B
1977 "Stick Together" 23
"Stick Together (Part one)" 57

References

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  1. ^ Billboard Singles > Chart History
  2. ^ AllMusic review
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul. Virgin. p. 280.
  4. ^ James, Al-lyce (23 June 1977). "Record Reviews". Bay State Banner. No. 88. p. 17.
  5. ^ "Stay in Love > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-02-12.