{"product_id":"ashford-simpson-musical-affair","title":"Ashford \u0026 Simpson - MUSICAL AFFAIR |","description":"\u003cp\u003eAshford \u0026amp; Simpson: Nickolas Ashford; Valerie Simpson (piano); Eric Gale, Ray Chew (guitar, keyboards); Rob Mounsey (horns, keyboards); Francisco Centeno (bass); Christopher Parker (drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion).\n\u003cbr\u003eProducers: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe year 1980 was fairly eventful for Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson. In addition to writing and producing Gladys Knight \u0026amp; the Pips' excellent About Love, the duo had a major hit of their own with the snappy \"Love Don't Make It Right.\" Nonetheless, 1980's A Musical Affair didn't go down in history as one of Ashford \u0026amp; Simpson's essential albums. This vinyl LP isn't bad; most of the tracks are decent, and a few are excellent, most notably \"Love Don't Make It Right,\" the melancholy \"Get out Your Hankerchief,\" and the sentimental ballad \"Happy Endings.\" But overall, A Musical Affair isn't exceptional -- likable and pleasant, but not exceptional. After five-star treasures like 1977's Send It, 1978's Is It Still Good to Ya, and 1979's Stay Free, one greeted this record with high expectations; however, A Musical Affair falls short of the consistent excellence that had characterized some of their best late-'70s albums. Some might even go so far as to say that in 1980, Ashford \u0026amp; Simpson gave their best songs to Gladys Knight \u0026amp; the Pips, whose About Love is nothing to be ashamed of. Both commercially and creatively, that LP was the group's most successful album since 1974's I Feel a Song. In fact, the single (\"Landlord\") made it to number three on Billboard's R\u0026amp;B singles chart. So Ashford \u0026amp; Simpson certainly did right by Gladys Knight \u0026amp; the Pips in 1980, even though their own 1980 album falls short of essential. A Musical Affair is only recommended to Ashford \u0026amp; Simpson's hardcore fans. ~ Alex Henderson\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenre: R\u0026amp;B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat: CD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReleased: 2010-06-08\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat: CD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReleased: 2010-06-08\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Ashford \u0026 Simpson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45222393970803,"sku":"2QWTW6-1JK9-K6","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0500\/7837\/files\/ashford-simpson-musical-affair_b9GwZ.jpg?v=1783848841","url":"https:\/\/www.lovevinylrecords.com\/products\/ashford-simpson-musical-affair","provider":"Love Vinyl Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}