Bunny Sigler - That's How Long I'll Be Loving You (1974) [Remastered 2012]

After co-writing hits for Joe Simon (the 1971 million-seller "Drowning in a Sea of Love") and the O'Jays ("Sunshine," "You Got Your Hooks in Me") among many others, singer/songwriter/producer Bunny Sigler was given the opportunity to record his debut album for Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records. The result, That's How Long I'll Be Loving You, is one of the artist's most beloved albums with MFSB and Instant Funk in fine form. Several of the album's tracks can be found on a 1996 Sony Legacy CD The Best of Bunny Sigler: Sweeter Than the Berry and the 1998 Sony CD Bunny Sigler. "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You," along with Sigler's first single, the soft, sweet "Regina," is on the 1997 Sony CD set Philly Sound (1966-1976): Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff.

The brassy opener, "Things Are Gonna Get Better," bops along enwrapped by a jovial vocal by Sigler.The doo wop-flavored "Picture Us" has one of Sigler's most emotive vocals and soaring, angelic background vocals. Along the same lines is the richly arranged "That's How Long I'll Be Loving You " that says: "Till the stars fall from the sky/till babies no longer cry/that's how long I'll be loving you." Sigler's churchy ballad cover of the O'Jays' million-selling hit "Love Train" is absolutely beautiful, emphasizing the brotherly/sisterly love ethic of the song bolstered by Instant Funk and crisp harmonies by the TNJs. The steppers track "Your Love Is Good" opens with the popping sound of champagne being uncorked. Domestic disputes are given a rollicking, bluesy, brassy take on "I Lied"; listen for the mid-'70s gas shortage reference as the track fades. The gospel-ish ballad "Somebody Free" has the same heart-tugging appeal that Sigler evoked on "Always in the Wrong Place (At the Wrong Time)" from Let the Good Times Roll.