Leon Ware – Musical Massage

Musical Massage, the second solo album by songwriter, producer, composer and singer Leon Ware, is a classic that almost didn't happen. Ware was developing the album when Diana Ross requested a track for her brother, T-Boy Ross; then Motown boss Berry Gordy decided it best suited Marvin Gaye, resulting in Leon giving Marvin a full album, I Want You. Ware then started over, creating this companion album, a sensual mix of soul, funk, jazz and what was about to become the foundation for disco.

Review

A little-known classic from the supposedly twilight years of Motown. This record reveals Ware as a talented but undercelebrated visionary; he envisioned the evolution of soul and went about to bring it to fruition. Musical Massage is a watermark not only for Ware, but for Motown as well.

-Thom Jurek, AllMusic, 4.5/5