| Love and Kisses from Brotherhood of Man | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Brotherhood of Man |
| Cover: | Love and Kisses - Brotherhood Of Man.png |
| Released: | 2 April 1976 |
| Recorded: | 1975–1976 |
| Genre: | Pop, MOR, soul |
| Length: | 35:51 |
| Label: | Pye |
| Producer: | Tony Hiller |
| Prev Title: | Good Things Happening |
| Prev Year: | 1974 |
| Next Title: | Oh Boy! |
| Next Year: | 1977 |
Love and Kisses from Brotherhood of Man (usually referred to as simply Love and Kisses) is the second album released by the new line-up of British pop group Brotherhood of Man. It was released in the UK the day before their 1976 Eurovision win with "Save Your Kisses for Me", which the album contained. In some European countries the album was released in October 1975 with a slightly different track listing.
In line with their previous album, the style of the album's tracks was more soul-based than the pure pop for which the group would become famous. Due to this, the single "Save Your Kisses for Me" is somewhat out of place on the album, although pop is also present on the track "Cry Thief". Like the group's other albums, the songs were produced by manager Tony Hiller. It was mostly recorded in mid to late 1975 at Eden Studios in West London.[1]
During recording sessions for the previous album, member Lee Sheriden had come up with a song called "Save Your Kisses for Me", which was then reworked into "Ocean of Love". Sheriden was unhappy with the changes and shelved the song. During writing sessions for this album, they discovered they needed one more song and Sheriden presented this song again in its original form. This time it was accepted and Sheriden himself sang lead vocals. The decision was then taken for other male member Martin Lee to sing it, which Sheriden was satisfied with.[2]
The album was released in the UK the day before their win in the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest, and became the group's first hit album, reaching No.20 in the UK.[3] It also reached No.6 in Norway and No.24 in Sweden.[4] It was certified silver in the UK for sales of over 60,000.[5] Record Mirror reviewed the album in April stating that the album contained several happy songs with a bouncy feel (similar to "Save Your Kisses for Me"). It advised that since "Kiss Me Kiss Your Baby" had been a hit in Europe that it would be "a good revitalised single and a natural successor to their current hit". It also commended the group's "sheer pop professionalism".[6]
This album was originally released in Europe in 1975, without "Save Your Kisses for Me", but with another song, "Tugging" in its place. In some countries it was released as Save Your Kisses for Me in 1976, with "Tugging", but without "Love Me for What I Am"[7] [8]
The album was released in April 1976 on Pye Records and featured the singles "Kiss Me Kiss Your Baby" and "Save Your Kisses for Me". Album track "Be My Loving Baby" was released as a single in Belgium and France in 1975. In the US, "Sweet Lady from Georgia" was released as the follow-up to "Save Your Kisses for Me". This was the only country to release a follow-up from this album.[9]
Somewhat curiously, the UK version of this album contained the same cover photo as had been on their first album, released two years previously.
Love and Kisses from Brotherhood of Man was released on compact disc for the first time in May 2009. This was in a double-pack with Good Things Happening.[10]
All tracks written by Hiller / Sheriden / Lee, except "Kiss Me Kiss Your Baby" by Barry Blue
Side One
Side Two
CD bonus tracks
| Release date | Single title | UK Charts [11] | Netherlands [12] | Belgium | Austria | New Zealand | Sweden | Norway | South Africa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1975 | "Kiss Me Kiss Your Baby" | - | 2 | 1 | 10 | 27 | - | - | - |
| March 1976 | "Save Your Kisses for Me" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| Release date | Album title | UK | Australia [13] | Norway | Sweden | ||||
| April 1976 | Love and Kisses from Brotherhood of Man | 20 | 96 | 6 | 24 |