Flowers (The Emotions album)

Flowers is a studio album by the American girl group The Emotions, released in 1976 by Columbia Records. The album reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top R&B albums chart. Flowers has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

Overview
The group's first LP on Columbia Records, Flowers was produced by Charles Stepney and Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. The album was reissued with an 8-page booklet, liner notes and a bonus track in 2012.

Critical reception
With a B grade Robert Christgau of the Village Voice wrote "Earth, Wind & Fire's girl group--literally. Whether it's Jeanette, Sheila, or Wanda who sounds like Diana Ross at a higher level of consciousness, the effect is exquisite." Amy Hanson of Allmusic, in a 3 out of 5 star review, opined "Revamping their classic girl group soul sounds to incorporate the more eclectic nuances of (Maurice) White's production, the resultant brassed-up disco proved to be on target." She added " With fellow Earth, Wind & Fire members Verdine and Fred White adding their unmistakable chops to the sound, the Emotions ultimately emerged with an absolutely stunning brew that kept their powerful vocal harmonies well spotlighted, while adding more than a little funk to the sound." Jim Arundel of Melody Maker also called Flowers "an incredibly short but definitely sweet album."

Singles
The album's title track got to No.16 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No.2 on the NZ Top 40 Singles chart. Another single, "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love", reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart and No.13 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.

Personnel

 * The Emotions
 * Sheila Hutchinson – vocals
 * Wanda Hutchinson – vocals
 * Jeanette Hutchinson – vocals


 * Musicians
 * Verdine White – bass
 * Larry Dunn – keyboards
 * Al McKay, Joe Hutchinson, Jr. – guitars
 * Fred White – drums, percussion
 * Oscar Brashear, Michael Harris – trumpets
 * Don Myrick – alto saxophone
 * Richard Brown – tenor saxophone
 * Louis Satterfield – trombone
 * Tom Tom 84 (Thomas Washington) - arranger
 * Technical
 * Recorded by Paul Serrano
 * Ron Coro, Tom Steele - design
 * Norman Seeff - photography

Charts

 * Singles