Don't Turn Around (album)

Black Ivory's debut single, "Don't Turn Around" (written by Patrick Adams) was released in April 1971 and peaking at #38 on the Billboards R&B/Soul chart in January 1972.[3] The single along with the B-side, "I Keep Asking You Questions" was recorded at Sigma Sound Studio in Philadelphia, Pa. Two more singles were released, "You and I" (Written by Leroy Burgess and Stuart Bascombe), and I'll Find A Way" (written by Black Ivory and Patrick Adams). The single, You and I was a top 40 song on Billboards Soul/R&B chart, peaking at #32, with "I'll Find A Way", peaking at #46 on that same chart.[4] With the success of three charting singles, the album spent 19 weeks on Billboard R&B Top Album Chart and peaking at #13 in May 1972.[5] The Album also Charted on Billboard Pop 200 Album peaking at #158.

Other notable songs on the album includes the B-side to the Don't Turn Around", which is an upbeat tempo song, "I Keep Asking You Questions", written by Black Ivory and Patrick Adams, and a cover to Michael Jackson's hit single, "Got to Be There",[6] written by Elliot Willensky.

In 1989, the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band E.U. covered, "Don't Turn Around"[7] on their album, "Livin' Large".

Rapper Raekwon sampled "I Keep Asking You Questions" for his song Criminology[8] on his acclaimed 1995 album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.

In his 2006 Beat Konducta Vol.1-2: Movie Scenes, Madlib sampled "You and I" in his beat titled "The Understanding (Comprehension)".

In 2008; Q-Tip also sampled "You and I" for his single "Gettin' Up"[9] from his grammy nominated album, "The Renaissance".[10] Leroy Burgess and Stuart Bascombe are contributing writers on the single.

In 2010, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man sampled, "I Keep Asking You Questions" on their single, Criminology 2.5. from the album, Wu-Massacre

In 2012, Lil B sampled "Surrender" for his track "Surrender to Me" on the White Flame mixtape.

In addition, poet Wanda Robinson, on her album Black Ivory, used the instrumental track of "Don't Turn Around" as the background for her poem "The Final Hour" and "I Keep Asking You Questions" for her poem "Instant Replay." Robinson was Black Ivory's label mate at Today/Perception.

Black Ivory

Leroy Burgess, Stuart Bascombe and Russell Patterson - Vocals

All songs were produced, conducted and arranged by Patrick Adams

• Vocal Arrangements by Leroy Burgess

• String Arrangements on "If I Could Be A Mirror, by Leroy Burgess

Don’t Turn Around/I Keep Asking You Questions (Singles)

• Patrick Adams, Robert Ayers: Piano

• Val Burke: Bass

• Norman Harris & Patrick Adams: Guitar

• Arnold Ramsey: Drums

• Vince Montana: Vibes

• Larry Washington: Conga

• The Album (all other songs).

• Patrick Adams: Bass, Guitar, Piano, Organ, Drums, Celeste, Moog Synthesizer, Timpani

• Larry Blackmon: Drums on You & I, Find The One Who Loves You

• Gordon Edwards: Bass

• Harry Lookofsky: Concertmaster (all songs)

Singles