Message in the Music

Message in the Music is the tenth album by American R&B group the O'Jays, released in 1976 by Philadelphia International Records. This album peaked at No. 3 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 20 on the US Billboard 200. Message in the Music has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.^[1][2]

Message in the Music
Studio album by The O'Jays
Released	1976
Recorded	1975–76
Studio	Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genre	Philadelphia soul, R&B
Length	42:51
Label	Philadelphia International Records
Producer	Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Bunny Sigler, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen
The O'Jays chronology
Family Reunion (1975) Message in the Music (1976) Travelin' at the Speed of Thought (1977)
Singles from Message in the Music
"Message in Our Music" Released: September 1976 "Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)" Released: November 1976

Background

Recorded at the Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, most of the album was composed and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

Message in the Music is the last O'Jays album to feature vocals from original group member William Powell, who would die prematurely from cancer, aged 35, in May 1977.

In 2004, Message in the Music was reissued by Demon Music in the UK in a double package with The O'Jays' 1977 album Travelin' at the Speed of Thought.

Singles

Message in the Music spawned two R&B chart-topping singles in "Message in Our Music" and "Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)", with the latter also giving the group their fourth UK top 30 single.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Christgau's Record Guide	B−[4]
The New York Times	(favourable)[5]

Andrew Hamilton of Allmusic proclaimed, "The O'Jays' vocals are stellar throughout this lively eight-song collection. Political and social lyrics weigh heavy but don't overburden this set...Another good slice of soul from the Canton, OH, natives."^[3]

Track listing

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Message in Our Music"	6:24
2.	"A Prayer"	6:30
3.	"Paradise"	5:02
4.	"Make a Joyful Noise"	4:02

All tracks are written by Gamble and Huff, except where noted ^[1]

Side two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
5.	"Desire Me"		6:21
6.	"Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)"		4:14
7.	"I Swear, I Love No One But You"	Bunny Sigler	5:13
8.	"Let Life Flow"	John Whitehead, Gene McFadden, Victor Carstarphen	4:37

Charts

Album

Chart (1976)	Peak position
Billboard Pop Albums[6]	20
Billboard Top Soul Albums[6]	3

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions[7]
		US Billboard Hot 100	US R&B
1976	"Message in Our Music"	49	1
	"Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)"	72	1

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.