In and Out of Love (Mary Wells album)

Infobox Album
Name = In and Out of Love
Type = Studio album
Artist = Mary Wells
Released = October 1981
Recorded = 1981
Genre = R&B/funk
Label = Epic
Length = 39:33
Producer = Fonce Mizell
Greg Perry
Last album = "Servin' Up Some Soul"
(1968)
This album = "In and Out of Love"
(1981)
Next album = "Easy Touch"
(1982)

"In and Out of Love" is the tenth studio effort and first album in thirteen years for R&B/soul singer Mary Wells, released on the Epic label.

Overview

Coming out of retirement

By 1980, Mary Wells had only recorded on occasion since her last album, 1968's "Servin' Up Some Soul", which Wells recorded for Jubilee Records. After a second planned Jubilee release was shelved, Wells left the label in 1970 for Reprise Records but after becoming a mother she had all but abandon live performing. In 1971 and 1974, Wells would record a couple of singles that were released to little success.

After 1974, Wells virtually retired from music. Having once spent a half-decade on top as one of the first stars to emerge out of Motown Records, the former Motown diva was looking for a change after her marriage to Cecil Womack dissolved in 1977 and a stormy relationship with Cecil's brother Curtis ended. She went back on the road in 1979 and by late 1980, Wells was spotted by CBS Records' urban-based president Larkin Arnold and was offered a deal with Epic, which Wells accepted.

Release and reaction

Released in the late fall of 1981, "In and Out of Love", produced by California-based R&B producer Greg Perry and the Mizell brothers (Fonce and Larry), the album was a departure for Wells as she incorporated funk elements into her sound with only "These Arms" being the obvious reference to her sixties past. The single, "Gigolo", was issued and created a buzz around the dance clubs in the U.S. The song's response was immediate, landing to number sixty-nine on the R&B chart, number two on the disco chart and number-thirteen on the club play chart. The album, however, failed to chart though despite its relative mainstream failure it convinced Wells to continue her recording and performing career. She'll release three more albums and several more singles on small labels until her death in 1992.

Tracklisting

#"These Arms" (4:52)
#"Share My Love" (5:57)
#"You Make Me Feel So Good Inside" (4:07)
#"Spend The Nights With Me" (4:15)
#"Let's Mix It Up" (4:05)
#"I'm Changing My Ways" (3:47)
#"I'm Not The One" (4:10)
#"Indian Giver" (4:30)
#"Gigolo" (5:10)