Love Always
Love Always | ||||
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Studio album by K-Ci & JoJo | ||||
Released | June 17, 1997 | |||
Recorded | 1996–1997 | |||
Genre | R&B, soul | |||
Length | 52:04 | |||
Label | MCA | |||
Producer | Fred Rosser, Jeff Redd, Rory Bennett, Joey Elias, Laney Stewart, Gerald Baillergeau, DeVante Swing, James Mtume, Derrick Garrett, Craig Brockman, Victor Merrit, Jon-John Robinson, Jorge Corante, Andrew Braxton, Bradley Spalter, Mike Smoov, Joel Hailey | |||
K-Ci & JoJo chronology | ||||
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Singles from Love Always | ||||
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Love Always is the debut album of American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo, released on June 17, 1997, by MCA Records. It was recorded at various studios in New York and the Los Angeles area in 1996 and 1997. It was produced by JoJo and several others, including DeVante Swing, Jon-John Robinson, James Mtume, and Jeff Redd. The duo were originally a part of Jodeci before this album.
The album peaked at sixth on the US Billboard 200 and also appeared on international charts. The single "All My Life" charted number one in multiple countries, and all four of the album's singles peaked above the top 25 in the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the New Zealand Top 40 Singles. Love Always was received favorably by critics, who praised the brothers' singing ability and the production. The album has been certified three times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and gold by Music Canada and IFPI Sweden. As of June 1999 it had sold 2.9 million copies in the United States.
Background
Previously, K-Ci & JoJo had been members of the group Jodeci, which consisted of them and another pair of brothers, DeVante Swing and Mr. Dalvin.[1] Under Uptown Records,[2] the group released three studio albums certified platinum by the RIAA: Forever My Lady (1991), Diary of a Mad Band (1993), and The Show, The After Party, The Hotel (1995).[3][4][5]
Jodeci has been inactive since 1996. K-Ci & JoJo, seeking to shed Jodeci's "bad boy image",[6] began working on other projects. They appeared as featured artists in songs including Tupac Shakur's "How Do U Want It",[1] which topped the Billboard Hot 100[7] and E-40's Rapper's Ball, which peaked 29th on the Hot 100.[8] They recorded their first songs as a duo, "If You Think You're Lonely Now" and "How Could You", for the soundtrack albums Jason's Lyric and Bulletproof, respectively.[1] Both singles reached the top 20 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs.[9]
Production, writing, and recording
—JoJo[6]
JoJo told Ebony that he and K-Ci "wrote 75 percent" of Love Always.[10] The brothers said they wanted to make an album that everyone, including their Christian mother, would be able to listen to.[11] K-Ci told Ebony, "We want to write songs that women can listen to. [...] You can listen to this in the car, riding with the folks."[10] Contrasting the album with the brothers' work with Jodeci, K-Ci told Billboard, "With Jodeci, we might sing 'Freek'n You', and with K-Ci & JoJo, we don't use the word 'sex'".[11]
Love Always was the first album K-Ci & JoJo produced. Referring to DeVante Swing, who produced many of Jodeci's songs, K-Ci told Billboard, "We couldn't just say, 'Oh, DeVante's gonna make sure it's mixed right.' We had to do it."[11] Other contributors to the album included Rory Bennett, James Mtume, Jorge Corante, Mike Smoov, Fred Rosser, Jeff Redd, Joey Wlias, Laney Stewart, Gerald Baillergeau, DeVante Swing, Derrick Garrett, Craig Brockman, Victor Merrit, Jon-John Robinson, Andrew Braxton, and Bradley Spalter.[12][13] Mike Smoov, Jimi Randolph, Derrick Garrett, Thom Cadley, and Mikael Ifverson engineered the album.[13]
Recording took place in 1996 and 1997 at recording studios in New York and the Los Angeles area:[14]
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Content
Love Always is written and performed in the R&B and soul styles. It consists of slow jams and love songs.[15][16] The album's opening track, "HBI", is a short introduction and is followed by "Last Night's Letter", a slow jam about broken hearts.[16] The next song, "Baby Come Back", was written by K-Ci about his past relationship with singer Mary J. Blige.[16] "Love Ballad" is a cover of the L.T.D. song.[15]
Release and promotion
Love Always was released in the United States and Germany on June 17, 1997,[17][18] in Canada on June 24, 1997,[19] and in the United Kingdom on March 20, 1999.[20] It was released in Australia in August 1998 packaged with six bonus remixes of "How Could You", "Last Night's Letter", "All My Life", and "You Bring Me Up".[21] The album was released on CD, cassette and LP, except in Australia, where it was only released on CD.[22]
Singles
Four songs on Love Always became singles. All four appeared in the top 25 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the New Zealand Singles Chart. The first single, "You Bring Me Up", was released on May 27, 1997.[11] It peaked at 26th on the Billboard Hot 100,[9] 15th on R&B/Hip Hop Songs,[9] 15th on the New Zealand Singles Chart,[23] and 21st on the UK Singles Chart.[24] A remix was made featuring Snoop Dogg.[25] The second single, "Last Night's Letter", was released on September 16, 1997.[26] It peaked at 46th on the Hot 100,[9] 15th on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs,[9] and 16th on the New Zealand Singles Chart.[23]
The third single, "All My Life", was released on March 17, 1998,[27] and was the duo's most successful song. JoJo wrote the song about his daughter but originally intended it for another artist.[28] In an interview with MTV, he said, "The song was originally supposed to be used for… another artist, a female artist on A&M Records. But we listened to it after we got out of the studio and it was like, 'I'm keeping this, this is too hot.'"[28] "All My Life" peaked at number one on the Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs,[29] tying a record set by The Beatles by jumping from 15th to first on the U.S. charts.[10] It was also a number-one song in Australia,[30] the Netherlands,[31] and New Zealand.[23] It peaked at second on the Norwegian Singles Chart,[32] third on the Flanders Belgium Singles Chart,[33] fourth on the Swedish Singles Chart[34] and the Swiss Singles Chart,[35] eighth on the UK Singles Chart,[24] 11th on the Wallonia Belgium Singles Chart, 12th on the Austrian Singles Chart,[36] and 43rd on the French Singles Chart.[37] It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association[38] and gold by IFPI Sweden.[39] "All My Life" was nominated for Best R&B Video at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.[40]
The fourth single, "Don't Rush (Take Love Slowly)", was originally the B-side to "All My Life"; it was released as a single in July 1998 after it achieved more airplay than "All My Life".[41] It peaked at 24th on the US Rhythmic Top 40, 46th on Hot R&B Airplay,[41] 16th on the UK Singles Chart, 25th on the Dutch Singles Charts,[31] and 26th on the New Zealand Singles Chart.[23]
Reception
Commercial performance
The album debuted at 24th on the US Billboard 200,[42] and went on to peak at sixth.[43] It peaked at second on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[44] On July 9, 1998, Love Always was certified three times platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of three million copies in the United States.[45] It spent 90 weeks on the Billboard 200 and 91 weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[46] As of June 1999, Love Always had sold 2.9 million copies in the US, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[47]
Love Always charted internationally, as well. It peaked at 26th in Canada,[48] and on June 30, 1998, it was certified platinum by Music Canada, for shipments of 100,000 copies in Canada.[49] In Australia, the album debuted at 44th, before peaking the next week at 37th. In 1998, Love Always was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 35,000 copies in Australia.[50] It peaked at fifth in New Zealand,[51] 19th in the Netherlands,[52] 28th in Switzerland,[53] 51st in the UK,[54] and 56th in Sweden.[55]
Critical response
Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Vibe | (favorable)[16] |
Love Always has received favorable reviews from music critics. Alex Henderson of Allmusic gave the album three stars out of five and called "Love Ballad" the "best thing the Hailey brothers have ever done – inside or outside of Jodeci".[15] Henderson called the album's ballads and slow jams "above average" and noted a lack of new jack swing and R-rated lyrics of the sort he had observed in Jodeci's music.[15] He liked the songs "Now and Forever", "Still Waiting", and "Baby Come Back" and appreciated the 1970s soul music feel.[15]
Vibe magazine's Michael Gonzalez gave the album a favorable review, writing, "Love Always is a marvelous musical testament to black love in the '90s."[16] He enjoyed the production, especially from Rory Bennett, and compared the duo to Frankie Lymon.[16] He noticed K-Ci's lyrics in "Baby Come Back" were about his relationship with Mary J. Blige stating "[K-Ci] wails like a man driven crazy by his missteps."[16] Gonzalez also liked the songs "Don't Rush (Take Love Slowly)", and "You Bring Me Up".[16] Borders Group recommended "You Bring Me Up" and praised the brothers' vocal talent.[56]
Track listing
Writing and production gathered from Australian-charts.com.[57]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "HBI" | Joel Hailey, Cedric Hailey, Michael Bell | Joel Hailey, Mike Smoov | 1:52 |
2. | "Last Night's Letter" | Gloria Stewart, Laney Stewart | Laney Stewart | 4:38 |
3. | "Baby Come Back" | Joel Hailey, Mel Larson, Jerry Marcellino, Cedric Hailey, Derrick Garrett, Andrew Braxton, Fred Rosser, Gene Marcellino | Derrick Garrett, Jeff Redd | 4:16 |
4. | "Just For Your Love" | Cedric Hailey, Gloria Stewart, Gerard Parker | Gerard Parker | 5:08 |
5. | "Now And Forever" | Bradley Spalter, Robbie Nevil, Emanuel Officer | Bradley Spalter, Emanuel Officer | 4:38 |
6. | "Don't Rush (Take Love Slowly)" | Cedric Hailey, Joel Hailey, Rory Bennett | Joel Hailey, Rory Bennett | 3:13 |
7. | "You Bring Me Up" | Joel Hailey, Cedric Hailey, Victor Merritt, Big Yam | Gerald Baillergeau, Victor Merritt | 4:23 |
8. | "Still Waiting" | Joel Hailey, DeVante Swing | DeVante Swing, Joel Hailey | 4:54 |
9. | "Love Ballad" | Skip Scarborough | James Mtume | 3:54 |
10. | "How Many Times (Will You Let Him Break Your Heart)" | Babyface, Jorge Corante, Emanuel Officer | Emanuel Officer, Jorge Corante | 4:41 |
11. | "All My Life" | Joel Hailey, Rory Bennett | Joel Hailey, Rory Bennett | 5:31 |
12. | "How Could You" | Jon-John Robinson, Gloria Stewart, Joey Elias | Jon-John Robinson | 4:57 |
Australia bonus tracks | ||
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No. | Title | Length |
13. | "How Could You" (International Edit) | 3:59 |
14. | "How Could You" (Pop Mix) | 4:13 |
15. | "Last Night's Letter" (So So Def Remix) | 4:10 |
16. | "All My Life" (Wedding Remix) | 4:27 |
17. | "All My Life" (Curtis Moore Remix) | 6:35 |
18. | "You Bring Me Up" (Midnight Mix) | 4:18 |
Personnel
Credits for Love Always adapted from Allmusic.[12]
Musicians
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Production
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Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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Release history
Region | Release date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
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United States | June 17, 1997 | CD, cassette, LP | MCA | [17] |
Germany | [18] | |||
Canada | June 24, 1997 | CD, cassette, LP | Universal Music Group | [19] |
Australia | August 1998 | CD | MCA International | [21] |
United Kingdom | March 20, 1999 | CD, cassette, LP | Universal / Island | [20] |
References
- 1 2 3 Huey, Steve. "K-Ci & JoJo > Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ↑ Huey, Steve. "Jodeci > Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
- ↑ "American certifications – Jodeci – Forever My Lady". Recording Industry Association of America. April 28, 1995. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ↑ "American certifications – Jodeci – Diary of a Mad Band". Recording Industry Association of America. August 14, 1996. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ↑ "American certifications – Jodeci – The Show, The After Party, The Hotel". Recording Industry Association of America. September 21, 1995. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- 1 2 "K-Ci & JoJo Hailey Enjoy Success As Duo With New Image, New Album 'Love Always'". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 93 (1): 57. November 24, 1997. ISSN 0021-5996.
- ↑ "2Pac Album & Song Chart History". Billboard 200 for 2Pac. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ↑ "E-40 Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Hot 100 for E-40. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "K-Ci & JoJo > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- 1 2 3 Kinnon, Joy Bennett (October 1998). "K-Ci & JoJo: Music's Hottest Duo". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 53 (12): 80, 82, 178. ISSN 0012-9011.
- 1 2 3 4 Smith, Shawnee (June 7, 1997). "K-Ci & JoJo Keep It Clean: Jodeci Singers Go It Alone On MCA". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 109 (23): 9, 100. ISSN 0006-2510.
- 1 2 "Love Always – K-Ci & JoJo > Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- 1 2 Love Always (CD liner). K-Ci & JoJo. MCA Records. 1997.
- ↑ "Love Always – K-Ci & JoJo – Compact Disc (UPC 0008811161323)". Borders. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Henderson, Alex. "Love Always - K-Ci & JoJo > Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gonzales, Michael A. (August 2007). "K-Ci & JoJo 'Love Always'". Vibe. Vibe Media Group. 5 (6): 144. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- 1 2 "Love Always: K-Ci & JoJo". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- 1 2 "Love Always: K-Ci & JoJo, K-Ci & JoJo". Amazon.de (in German). Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- 1 2 "Love Always: K-Ci & JoJo". Amazon.ca. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
- 1 2 "Love Always: K-Ci & JoJo". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
- 1 2 "K-Ci & JoJo Albums". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Love Always (Australia) – K-Ci & JoJo". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 "Charts.org.nz – Discography K-Ci". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- 1 2 "K-Ci & JoJo – The Official Charts Company". UK Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ KCiAndJoJoVEVO (October 5, 2009). "K-Ci & JoJo – You Bring Me Up (Remix) ft. Snoop Dogg". YouTube. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ↑ "Last Night's Letter / Baby Come Back". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
- ↑ "All My Life: K-Ci & JoJo". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- 1 2 Christina Fuoco (2002). "K-Ci & JoJo: R&B group". Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
- ↑ "All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Discography K-Ci". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- 1 2 "Dutchcharts.nl – Discografie K-Ci". Dutch Charts Portal (in Dutch). Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Discography K-Ci". Norwegian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Discografie K-Ci". Ultratop Belgium Charts (in German). Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Discography K-Ci". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Discography K-Ci – swisscharts.com". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Discographie K-Ci – austriancharts.at". Austrian Charts Portal (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Discographie K-Ci". French Charts Portal (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1998. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Swedish single certifications – All My Life" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ↑ "1998 MTV Video Music Awards". Rock on the Net. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
- 1 2 Faison, Datu (July 4, 1998). "Rhythm Section: Buy 1, Get 1 Free". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 110 (27): 25. ISSN 0006-2510.
- 1 2 "Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 109 (27). July 5, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510.
- 1 2 "The Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 110 (13): 74. March 28, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510.
- 1 2 "Billboard Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 110 (9): 35. February 28, 2011. ISSN 0006-2510.
- 1 2 "American album certifications – K-Ci & JoJo – Love Always". Recording Industry Association of America. July 9, 1998. Retrieved July 7, 2011. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.
- ↑ "Album Charts Archvie Search". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 14, 2011. Type "K-Ci" into Artist, "Love Always" into Title and click Submit.
- 1 2 King, Aliya S. (June 5, 1999). "MCA's K-Ci & JoJo Get 'Real' With Their Sophomore Set". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 111 (23): 65. ISSN 0006-2510.
- 1 2 "RPM Top 100 CDs". RPM. 66 (26). March 23, 1998. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- 1 2 "Canadian album certifications – K-Ci & JoJo – Love Always". Music Canada. June 30, 1998. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1998. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- 1 2 "charts.org.nz - K-Ci & JoJo - Love Always". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- 1 2 3 "dutchcharts.nl - K-Ci & JoJo - Love Always". Dutch Charts Portal (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- 1 2 "K-Ci & JoJo - Love Always - hitparade.ch". Swiss Charts Portal (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- 1 2 3 "Chart Stats - BillK-Ci And JoJo - Love Always". Chart Stats. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- 1 2 "swedishcharts.com - K-Ci & JoJo - Love Always". Swedish Charts Portal (in Swedish). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Borders Review". Borders. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- ↑
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – HBI". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – Last Night's Letter". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – Baby Come Back". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – Just For Your Love". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – Now And Forever". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – Don't Rush (Take Love Slowly)". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – You Bring Me Up". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – Still Waiting". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – Love Ballad". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – How Many Times (Will You Let Him Break You Heart)". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – All My Life". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- "Australian-charts.com – K-Ci & JoJo – How Could You". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- ↑ "Top Selling Albums". RPM. 65 (18). July 7, 1997. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- ↑ "Billboard Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 109 (27): 16. July 5, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ↑ "australian-charts.com - K-Ci & JoJo - Love Always". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 11 (10): 111. March 6, 1999. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ↑ "Billboard Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 111 (9): 29. February 27, 1999. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ↑ "Year End Charts: Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1997. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Year End Charts: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1997. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Year End Charts: Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1998. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Year End Charts: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1998. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
External links
- Love Always at AllMusic
- Love Always at Billboard
- Love Always at Discogs (list of releases)