New and Improved (The Spinners album)

New and Improved is the fifth album by American R&B group The Spinners, released in December 1974 on the Atlantic label. Like the Spinners' two previous Atlantic albums, New and Improved was produced by Thom Bell and recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.

History
New and Improved became the Spinners' third consecutive R&B albums chart-topper and reached #9 on the Billboard 200, their first top 10 album on this chart. The album includes "Then Came You", featuring Dionne Warwick and the group's only single to top the Billboard Hot 100 (it was denied the top spot on the R&B chart by Kool & the Gang's "Higher Plane"), and the top 10 R&B singles "Living A Little, Laughing A Little" and "Sadie" – the latter track was covered by R. Kelly on his 1993 debut solo album 12 Play.

Personnel

 * Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson – vocals
 * Dionne Warwick – vocals on "Then Came You"
 * Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton – backing vocals
 * Tony Bell, Bobby Eli, Don Murray – guitars
 * Thom Bell – keyboards
 * Walter Pfeil – harp
 * Bob Babbitt – bass guitar
 * Don Renaldo – strings
 * Andrew Smith – drums
 * Larry Washington – congas, bongos
 * Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
 * Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
 * Joe DeAngelis, Milt Phibbs, Danny Davis – French horn
 * Freddie Joiner, Bobby Moore, Richie Genevese, Ed Cascarella – trombone

Charts

 * Singles