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{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
| Name = 360 Degrees of Billy Paul
| name = 360 Degrees of Billy Paul
| Type = Album
| type = Album
| Artist = [[Billy Paul]]
| artist = [[Billy Paul]]
| Cover = 360degreesofbillypaul.jpg
| cover = 360degreesofbillypaul.jpg
| Released = 1972
| alt =
| released = 1972
⚫
| Recorded = 1972 <small> at [[Sigma Sound Studios]], [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]</small>
| recorded = 1972
| Genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[Philadelphia soul]]
| Length = 44:45 (original LP)
| venue =
⚫
| studio = [[Sigma Sound Studios|Sigma Sound]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
⚫
| Label = [[Philadelphia International Records|Philadelphia International]]
| Producer = [[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff]]
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[Philadelphia soul]]
| length = 44:45 (original LP)
⚫
| Last album = ''[[Going East]]''<br />(1971)
⚫
| label = [[Philadelphia International Records|Philadelphia International]]
| This album = '''''360 Degrees of Billy Paul'''''<br />(1972)
⚫
| producer = [[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff]]
⚫
| Next album = ''[[War of the Gods (album)|War of the Gods]]''<br />(1973)
⚫
| prev_title = [[Going East]]
| prev_year = 1971
⚫
| next_title = [[War of the Gods (album)|War of the Gods]]
| next_year = 1973
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}} <ref name=allmusic>{{Allmusic |class=album |id=r14951 |tab=review |label=Billy Paul: ''360 Degrees of Billy Paul'' Review |first=Andrew |last=Hamilton|accessdate=13 October 2011}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}} <ref name=allmusic>{{AllMusic |class=album |id=r14951 |tab=review |label=Billy Paul: ''360 Degrees of Billy Paul'' Review |first=Andrew |last=Hamilton|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref>
| rev2 = [[Robert Christgau]]
| rev2 = ''[[Creem]]''
| rev2Score = B− <ref name="christgau">{{Cite web | last = Christgau | first = Robert | title = ''360 Degrees of Billy Paul'' > review | publisher = [[Robert Christgau]] | accessdate = 2011-11-09 | url = http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=5630}}</ref>
| rev2Score = B−<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=April 1973|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/crm7304.php|title=The Christgau Consumer Guide|magazine=[[Creem]]|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref>
| rev3 = Chris Wells ''Echoes''
| rev3 = ''Echoes''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}} <ref name="Echoes">{{cite web |last=Wells |first=Chris |title=Review: 360 Degrees of Billy Paul |publisher=echoesmagazine.co.uk |url=http://shop.cherryred.co.uk/bigbreak-exd.asp?id=3778 |date= September 2012 |accessdate=29 May 2015}}</ref>
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}} <ref name="Echoes">{{cite web |last=Wells |first=Chris |title=Review: 360 Degrees of Billy Paul |publisher=echoesmagazine.co.uk |url=http://shop.cherryred.co.uk/bigbreak-exd.asp?id=3778 |date=September 2012 |access-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529220214/http://shop.cherryred.co.uk/bigbreak-exd.asp?id=3778 |archive-date=29 May 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Džuboks]]''
| rev4 = ''[[Džuboks]]''
| rev4Score = (favorable) <ref name="dzuboks">{{cite journal|last=Kostić|first=Borjan|title=360 stepeni Bilija Pola|journal=Džuboks|publisher=NIP Dečje Novine|location=Belgrade|issue=1 (second series)|page=44|language=Serbian}}</ref>
| rev4Score = (favorable)<ref name="dzuboks">{{cite journal|last=Kostić|first=Borjan|title=360 stepeni Bilija Pola|journal=Džuboks|publisher=NIP Dečje Novine|location=Belgrade|issue=1 (second series)|page=44|language=sr}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev5score = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Deusner|first=Stephen M.|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/various-artists-billy-paul-harold-me-get-on-board-the-soul-train-the-sound-of-philadelphia-international-records-vol-1/|title=Billy Paul: 360 Degrees of Billy Paul Album Review|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=June 2, 2021|access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref>
}}
}}


Line 28: Line 34:


==Release and critical reception==
==Release and critical reception==
⚫
The LP's original liner notes were written by [[Louise Bishop|Louise Williams]] from [[WDAS (AM)]] Radio: "A star is someone very special, talented, warm, human and personal and an outstanding performer. In the lineup of stars, Billy Paul was rejected because he is super warm, super human, super personal and a super performer; in short, Billy Paul is a super star. If you haven't discovered him yet, you will whenever you listen to this album, especially the selection "Me and Mrs. Jones" – and don't forget I told you so."
{{quote box|align=left|width=15em|quote=The cell is cold as hell<br>
⚫
[[Kenny Gamble]] was similarly enthusiastic in discussing how Paul's sound developed over the years from the early club jazz of ''[[Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club]]'' (1968) to the merging of jazz and soul on ''[[Going East]]'' (1971): "and then we did Billy's ''360 Degrees'' album and it all came together with "Me & Mrs. Jones."<ref>{{cite book |title=The Billboard Book of Number One Hits |first=Fred |last=Bronson |publisher=Billboard Books |page=325 |date=2003 |isbn=9780823076772 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&q=billboard+charts+feelin%27+good+at+the+cadillac+club&pg=PT334 |access-date=4 June 2015 }}</ref>
You'll never get {{sic|use}} to the smell<br>
My bed is hard as wood<br>
I got to fight to keep my manhood
|source=-Lyrics from "I'm Just a Prisoner"}}
⚫
The LP's original liner notes were written by [[Louise Bishop|Louise Williams]] from [[WDAS (AM)]] Radio: "A star is someone very special, talented, warm, human and personal and an outstanding performer. In the lineup of stars, Billy Paul was rejected because he is super warm, super human, super personal and a super performer; in short, Billy Paul is a super star. If you haven't discovered him yet, you will whenever you listen to this album, especially the selection "Me and Mrs. Jones" - and don't forget I told you so."
⚫
[[Kenny Gamble]] was similarly enthusiastic in discussing how Paul's sound developed over the years from the early club jazz of ''[[Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club]]'' (1968) to the merging of jazz and soul on ''[[Going East]]'' (1971): "and then we did Billy's ''360 Degrees'' album and it all came together with "Me & Mrs. Jones."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Billboard Book of Number One Hits |first=Fred |last=Bronson |publisher=Billboard Books |page=325 |date=2003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&pg=PT334&lpg=PT334&dq=billboard+charts+feelin%27+good+at+the+cadillac+club&source=bl&ots=cJzh3lgbez&sig=V-xCLc89AA2GEzJdaen3r1hRmV0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=y9twVdXBN5CbyAT9oIDIBA&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=billboard%20charts%20feelin'%20good%20at%20the%20cadillac%20club&f=false |accessdate=4 June 2015 }}</ref>


During his appearance on ''[[Soul Train]]'' in October 1972, Paul was asked by host [[Don Cornelius]] whether he had a [[jazz]] background. Paul used the opportunity to promote his new album and highlight its diverse styles: “That's very correct. I've been singing since I was 11. At 16 I was working with [[Charlie Parker]]. He's one of the giants. Coming from a jazz background it was one of the greatest things to happen for any singer because of the fact I took an interest at heart but learned to build on it. When I say that I just didn't want to be labeled as a jazz singer but like my new album, the one that "Me & Mrs. Jones" is on, it's called ''360 Degrees of Billy Paul'' and that means I'm covering all of the territories."<ref>{{cite web |last=McMillian |first=Stephen |title=Soul Train History Book: Billy Paul |date=16 March 2015 |work=soultrain.com |url= http://soultrain.com/2015/03/16/soul-train-history-book-billy-paul/ |accessdate=29 May 2015}}</ref>
During his appearance on ''[[Soul Train]]'' in October 1972, Paul was asked by host [[Don Cornelius]] whether he had a [[jazz]] background. Paul used the opportunity to promote his new album and highlight its diverse styles: “That's very correct. I've been singing since I was 11. At 16 I was working with [[Charlie Parker]]. He's one of the giants. Coming from a jazz background it was one of the greatest things to happen for any singer because of the fact I took an interest at heart but learned to build on it. When I say that I just didn't want to be labeled as a jazz singer but like my new album, the one that "Me & Mrs. Jones" is on, it's called ''360 Degrees of Billy Paul'' and that means I'm covering all of the territories."<ref>{{cite web |last=McMillian |first=Stephen |title=Soul Train History Book: Billy Paul |date=16 March 2015 |work=soultrain.com |url= http://soultrain.com/2015/03/16/soul-train-history-book-billy-paul/ |access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>


In its November 25, 1972, issue, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' wrote: "Billy Paul, already a giant in the jazz field has exploded into an even greater soul and pop star via his single "Me and Mrs. Jones" spotlighted in this delightful package. Other standouts in this Gamble-Huff production are "Brown Baby," "Am I Black Enough for You" and Al Green's "[[Let's Stay Together (song)|Let's Stay Together]]" all making this a winner in the pop, soul and jazz markets."<ref>{{cite web |title=Billboard Album Reviews | date=25 November 1972 |publisher=Billboard Magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hw8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46&dq=billy+paul+360+Degrees&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SIRoVf_ZIJbioASKjoBQ&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=billy%20paul%20360%20Degrees&f=false |accessdate=29 May 2015}}</ref>
In its November 25, 1972, issue, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' wrote: "Billy Paul, already a giant in the jazz field has exploded into an even greater soul and pop star via his single "Me and Mrs. Jones" spotlighted in this delightful package. Other standouts in this Gamble-Huff production are "Brown Baby," "Am I Black Enough for You" and [[Al Green]]'s "[[Let's Stay Together (Al Green song)|Let's Stay Together]]" all making this a winner in the pop, soul and jazz markets."<ref>{{cite web |title=Billboard Album Reviews | date=25 November 1972 |publisher=Billboard Magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hw8EAAAAMBAJ&q=billy+paul+360+Degrees&pg=PA46 |access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>


Andrew Hamilton of [[Allmusic]] noted the album's decided shift in Paul's musical direction: "Paul's first album for [[Philadelphia International]] was straight club jazz; sales were slow. This time, Gamble & Huff gave Paul material strong enough to make his sophomore release a viable commercial entity."<ref name=allmusic />
Andrew Hamilton of [[Allmusic]] noted the album's decided shift in Paul's musical direction: "Paul's first album for [[Philadelphia International]] was straight club jazz; sales were slow. This time, Gamble & Huff gave Paul material strong enough to make his sophomore release a viable commercial entity."<ref name=allmusic />


Joe Marchese of ''The Second Disc'' called it "one of the mightiest albums ever produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marchese |first=Joe |title=He and Mrs. Jones: Billy Paul and Big Break Records Have a Thing Going On with 360 Degrees Reissue |url=http://theseconddisc.com/2012/09/05/he-and-mrs-jones-billy-paul-and-big-break-records-have-a-thing-going-on-with-360-degrees-reissue/ |publisher=theseconddisc.com |date=5 September 2012 |accessdate=29 May 2015}}</ref>
Joe Marchese of ''The Second Disc'' called it "one of the mightiest albums ever produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marchese |first=Joe |title=He and Mrs. Jones: Billy Paul and Big Break Records Have a Thing Going On with 360 Degrees Reissue |url=http://theseconddisc.com/2012/09/05/he-and-mrs-jones-billy-paul-and-big-break-records-have-a-thing-going-on-with-360-degrees-reissue/ |website=theseconddisc.com |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>


Chris Wells of ''Echoes'' said: "This 1972 set is the first Billy Paul album that most people heard, it being the one that produced Me & Mrs. Jones as lead single. It's amongst his best too, for it also includes the superb mid-tempo Philly roller Brown Baby, a tribute to the kids who took part in the civil rights marches, the eight-minute epic I'm Just A Prisoner, a [[Kenny Gamble|Gamble]]-Sigler-Hurtt song that Billy confesses reminded him of a stretch behind bars his step-dad did, and the funky follow-up to Mrs Jones, Am I Black Enough For You?"<ref name="Echoes" />
Chris Wells of ''Echoes'' said: "This 1972 set is the first Billy Paul album that most people heard, it being the one that produced Me & Mrs. Jones as lead single. It's amongst his best too, for it also includes the superb mid-tempo Philly roller Brown Baby, a tribute to the kids who took part in the [[Civil rights movement in the United States|civil rights marches]], the eight-minute epic I'm Just A Prisoner, a [[Kenny Gamble|Gamble]]-Sigler-Hurtt song that Billy confesses reminded him of a stretch behind bars his step-dad did, and the funky follow-up to Mrs Jones, Am I Black Enough For You?"<ref name="Echoes" />


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
# "Brown Baby" - ([[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]]) - 4:41
# "Brown Baby" – ([[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]]) – 4:41
# "I'm Just a Prisoner" - ([[Kenny Gamble]], Phil Hurtt, [[Bunny Sigler]]) - 8:05
# "I'm Just a Prisoner" – ([[Kenny Gamble]], [[Phil Hurtt]], [[Bunny Sigler]]) – 8:05
# "[[It's Too Late (Carole King song)|It's Too Late]]" - ([[Carole King]], Toni Stern) - 4:39
# "[[It's Too Late (Carole King song)|It's Too Late]]" – ([[Carole King]], Toni Stern) – 4:39
# "[[Me and Mrs. Jones]]" - ([[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]], [[Cary Gilbert]]) - 4:52
# "[[Me and Mrs. Jones]]" – ([[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]], [[Cary Gilbert]]) – 4:52
# "[[Am I Black Enough for You? (song)|Am I Black Enough for You?]]" - ([[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]]) - 5:22
# "[[Am I Black Enough for You? (song)|Am I Black Enough for You?]]" – ([[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]]) – 5:22
# "[[Let's Stay Together (song)|Let's Stay Together]]" - ([[Al Green]], Al Jackson Jr., [[Willie Mitchell (musician)|Willie Mitchell]]) - 6:31
# "[[Let's Stay Together (Al Green song)|Let's Stay Together]]" – ([[Al Green]], Al Jackson Jr., [[Willie Mitchell (musician)|Willie Mitchell]]) – 6:31
# "[[Your Song]]" - ([[Elton John]], [[Bernie Taupin]]) - 6:36
# "[[Your Song]]" – ([[Elton John]], [[Bernie Taupin]]) – 6:36
# "I'm Gonna Make It This Time" - (Jean Lang, [[Bunny Sigler]]) - 4:28
# "I'm Gonna Make It This Time" – (Jean Lang, [[Bunny Sigler]]) – 4:28
⚫
# "[[Me and Mrs. Jones]]" (Single Version) - 4:45
⚫
# "[[Am I Black Enough for You? (song)|Am I Black Enough for You?]]" (Single Version) - 3:19
⚫
# "[[Me and Mrs. Jones]]" (Live Version – from [[Live in Europe (Billy Paul album)|Live in Europe]]) - 9:04


;2012 CD bonus tracks
Note: the last three tracks are from the 2012 CD reissue.
⚫
#<li value="9">"[[Me and Mrs. Jones]]" (Single Version) – 4:45
⚫
# "[[Am I Black Enough for You? (song)|Am I Black Enough for You?]]" (Single Version) – 3:19
⚫
# "[[Me and Mrs. Jones]]" (Live Version – from [[Live in Europe (Billy Paul album)|Live in Europe]]) – 9:04

==Later releases==
This album was reissued on the Super Audio CD format in September 2018 by UK label Dutton Vocalion, remastered in both stereo and [[Surround Sound]] from the original analogue tapes by Michael J. Dutton and released in a 2-disc set with Paul's 1973 album ''[[War Of The Gods]]''. The Surround Sound portions of the discs feature the [[Quadraphonic]] mixes of both "360 Degrees Of Billy Paul" and "War Of The Gods", made available for the first time in over 40 years.


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
* [[Billy Paul]] - Lead and backing vocals
* [[Billy Paul]] – lead and backing vocals
* [[Bobby Eli]], [[Bunny Sigler]], David Bay, [[Norman Harris (musician)|Norman Harris]], Roland Chambers - Guitar
* [[Bobby Eli]], [[Bunny Sigler]], David Bay, [[Norman Harris (musician)|Norman Harris]], Roland Chambers – guitar
* Eddie Green, [[Leon Huff]] - Piano
* Eddie Green, [[Leon Huff]] – piano
* [[Vincent Montana, Jr.]] - Vibraphone
* [[Vincent Montana Jr.]] – vibraphone
* Anthony Jackson, [[Ronnie Baker|Ron Baker]] - Bass
* [[Anthony Jackson (musician)|Anthony Jackson]], [[Ronnie Baker (musician)|Ron Baker]] – bass
* [[Earl Young (drummer)|Earl Young]], Norman Farrington - Drums
* [[Earl Young (drummer)|Earl Young]], Norman Farrington – drums
* Don Renaldo - Horns, strings
* Don Renaldo – horns, strings
* Larry Washington - Congas
* Larry Washington – congas
* Lenny Pakula - Organ
* Lenny Pakula – organ
* Carla Benson, Evette Benton, Barbara Ingram - Background vocals
* Carla Benson, Evette Benton, Barbara Ingram – backing vocals
;Technical
⚫
* [[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff]] - Producers
* [[Gamble & Huff|Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff]] – producers
* Joe Tarsia - Engineering
* Joe Tarsia – engineering
* Ed Lee - Cover design
* [[Don Hunstein]] - Front cover photo
* Ed Lee – cover design
* Robert Davis - Back cover photo
* [[Don Hunstein]] – front cover photo
* Robert Davis – back cover photo


==Charts==
==Charts==
Line 86: Line 91:
! Peak<br>position
! Peak<br>position
|-
|-
| US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Pop Albums]]<ref name="allmusic albums">{{Cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p5113/charts-awards/billboard-albums|pure_url=yes}}|title=Billy Paul US albums chart history|publisher=allmusic.com|accessdate=2011-10-13}}</ref>
| US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Pop Albums]]<ref name="allmusic albums">{{Cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5113/charts-awards/billboard-albums|pure_url=yes}}|title=Billy Paul US albums chart history|publisher=allmusic.com|access-date=2011-10-13}}</ref>
| align=center|17
| align=center|17
|-
|-
Line 95: Line 100:
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|}
|}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=album|artist=Billy Paul|title=360 Degrees of Billy Paul|accessdate=24 October 2023|relyear=1972|certyear=1973}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}



'''Singles'''
'''Singles'''
Line 101: Line 112:
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Single
! rowspan="2"| Single
! colspan="3"| Chart positions<ref name="allmusic singles">{{Cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p5113/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}|title=Billy Paul US singles chart history|publisher=allmusic.com|accessdate=2011-10-13}}</ref>
! colspan="3"| Chart positions<ref name="allmusic singles">{{Cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5113/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}|title=Billy Paul US singles chart history|publisher=allmusic.com|access-date=2011-10-13}}</ref>
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="40"|U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]
! width="40"|U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]
Line 122: Line 133:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 128: Line 139:


{{Billy Paul}}
{{Billy Paul}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1972 albums]]
[[Category:1972 albums]]
[[Category:Billy Paul albums]]
[[Category:Billy Paul albums]]
⚫
[[Category:Philadelphia International Records albums]]
⚫
[[Category:Albums arranged by Bobby Martin]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Kenneth Gamble]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Kenneth Gamble]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Leon Huff]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Leon Huff]]
⚫
[[Category:Albums arranged by Bobby Martin]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Sigma Sound Studios]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Sigma Sound Studios]]
⚫
[[Category:Philadelphia International Records albums]]

Latest revision as of 22:13, 16 October 2024

360 Degrees of Billy Paul
Studio album by
Billy Paul
Released1972
Recorded1972
StudioSigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
GenreSoul, Philadelphia soul
Length44:45 (original LP)
LabelPhiladelphia International
ProducerKenny Gamble and Leon Huff
Billy Paul chronology
Going East
(1971) 		360 Degrees of Billy Paul
(1972) 		War of the Gods
(1973)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]
CreemB−[2]
Echoes [3]
Džuboks(favorable)[4]
Pitchfork8.5/10[5]

360 Degrees of Billy Paul is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. It was produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and arranged by Bobby Martin, Lenny Pakula and Norman Harris. Released in 1972, it includes the Grammy Award-winning number 1 pop and soul single "Me and Mrs. Jones" and its follow-up "Am I Black Enough for You?" which reached number 29 on the soul chart and number 79 on the pop chart. The album was expanded and remastered by Big Break Records for compact disc in 2012 with three bonus tracks, new liner notes by Andy Kellman, and new quotes from Billy Paul.

Release and critical reception

[edit]

The LP's original liner notes were written by Louise Williams from WDAS (AM) Radio: "A star is someone very special, talented, warm, human and personal and an outstanding performer. In the lineup of stars, Billy Paul was rejected because he is super warm, super human, super personal and a super performer; in short, Billy Paul is a super star. If you haven't discovered him yet, you will whenever you listen to this album, especially the selection "Me and Mrs. Jones" – and don't forget I told you so." Kenny Gamble was similarly enthusiastic in discussing how Paul's sound developed over the years from the early club jazz of Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club (1968) to the merging of jazz and soul on Going East (1971): "and then we did Billy's 360 Degrees album and it all came together with "Me & Mrs. Jones."[6]

During his appearance on Soul Train in October 1972, Paul was asked by host Don Cornelius whether he had a jazz background. Paul used the opportunity to promote his new album and highlight its diverse styles: “That's very correct. I've been singing since I was 11. At 16 I was working with Charlie Parker. He's one of the giants. Coming from a jazz background it was one of the greatest things to happen for any singer because of the fact I took an interest at heart but learned to build on it. When I say that I just didn't want to be labeled as a jazz singer but like my new album, the one that "Me & Mrs. Jones" is on, it's called 360 Degrees of Billy Paul and that means I'm covering all of the territories."[7]

In its November 25, 1972, issue, Billboard wrote: "Billy Paul, already a giant in the jazz field has exploded into an even greater soul and pop star via his single "Me and Mrs. Jones" spotlighted in this delightful package. Other standouts in this Gamble-Huff production are "Brown Baby," "Am I Black Enough for You" and Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" all making this a winner in the pop, soul and jazz markets."[8]

Andrew Hamilton of Allmusic noted the album's decided shift in Paul's musical direction: "Paul's first album for Philadelphia International was straight club jazz; sales were slow. This time, Gamble & Huff gave Paul material strong enough to make his sophomore release a viable commercial entity."[1]

Joe Marchese of The Second Disc called it "one of the mightiest albums ever produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff."[9]

Chris Wells of Echoes said: "This 1972 set is the first Billy Paul album that most people heard, it being the one that produced Me & Mrs. Jones as lead single. It's amongst his best too, for it also includes the superb mid-tempo Philly roller Brown Baby, a tribute to the kids who took part in the civil rights marches, the eight-minute epic I'm Just A Prisoner, a Gamble-Sigler-Hurtt song that Billy confesses reminded him of a stretch behind bars his step-dad did, and the funky follow-up to Mrs Jones, Am I Black Enough For You?"[3]

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Brown Baby" – (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff) – 4:41
  2. "I'm Just a Prisoner" – (Kenny Gamble, Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler) – 8:05
  3. "It's Too Late" – (Carole King, Toni Stern) – 4:39
  4. "Me and Mrs. Jones" – (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Cary Gilbert) – 4:52
  5. "Am I Black Enough for You?" – (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff) – 5:22
  6. "Let's Stay Together" – (Al Green, Al Jackson Jr., Willie Mitchell) – 6:31
  7. "Your Song" – (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 6:36
  8. "I'm Gonna Make It This Time" – (Jean Lang, Bunny Sigler) – 4:28
2012 CD bonus tracks
  2. "Me and Mrs. Jones" (Single Version) – 4:45
  3. "Am I Black Enough for You?" (Single Version) – 3:19
  4. "Me and Mrs. Jones" (Live Version – from Live in Europe) – 9:04

Later releases

[edit]

This album was reissued on the Super Audio CD format in September 2018 by UK label Dutton Vocalion, remastered in both stereo and Surround Sound from the original analogue tapes by Michael J. Dutton and released in a 2-disc set with Paul's 1973 album War Of The Gods. The Surround Sound portions of the discs feature the Quadraphonic mixes of both "360 Degrees Of Billy Paul" and "War Of The Gods", made available for the first time in over 40 years.

Personnel

[edit]
Technical

Charts

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Chart (1973) Peak
position
US Billboard Pop Albums[10] 17
US Billboard Top Soul Albums[10] 1
US R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Albums (Billboard)[10] 7

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[11] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.


Singles

Year Single Chart positions[12]
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 US
Soul
1972 "Me and Mrs. Jones" 1 1
1973 "Am I Black Enough for You?" 79 29

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Hamilton, Andrew. Billy Paul: 360 Degrees of Billy Paul Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (April 1973). "The Christgau Consumer Guide". Creem. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Wells, Chris (September 2012). "Review: 360 Degrees of Billy Paul". echoesmagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  4. ^ Kostić, Borjan. "360 stepeni Bilija Pola". Džuboks (in Serbian) (1 (second series)). Belgrade: NIP Dečje Novine: 44.
  5. ^ Deusner, Stephen M. (June 2, 2021). "Billy Paul: 360 Degrees of Billy Paul Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  6. ^ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Billboard Books. p. 325. ISBN 9780823076772. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  7. ^ McMillian, Stephen (16 March 2015). "Soul Train History Book: Billy Paul". soultrain.com. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  8. ^ "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard Magazine. 25 November 1972. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  9. ^ Marchese, Joe (5 September 2012). "He and Mrs. Jones: Billy Paul and Big Break Records Have a Thing Going On with 360 Degrees Reissue". theseconddisc.com. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  10. ^ a b c "Billy Paul US albums chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  11. ^ "American album certifications – Billy Paul – 360 Degrees of Billy Paul". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Billy Paul US singles chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
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