Very Special (Debra Laws album) explained

Very Special
Type:	studio
Artist:	Debra Laws
Cover:	Very Special (Debra Laws album).jpg
Released:	1981
Recorded:	1981
Studio:	Concorde Recording, Los Angeles
Genre:	R&B, soul
Label:	Elektra
Next Title:	Moments
Next Year:	1993

Very Special is the debut album by Debra Laws, released in 1981 on Elektra Records.^{[1] [2]}

The album peaked at No. 70 on the Billboard 200 and No. 13 on Billboards Top Black Albums chart. The title track and "Be Yourself" were top 40 hits on Billboards Hot Soul Singles chart.

Personnel

• Debra Laws – lead vocals
• Gwen Matthews – backing vocals (2, 4, 6–8)
• Marlena Jeter – backing vocals (2, 4, 6–8)
• David Lasley – backing vocals (2)
• Eloise Laws – backing vocals (5)
• Arnold McCuller – backing vocals (2)
• Alexandra Brown – backing vocals (7)
• Stephanie Hayes – backing vocals (7)
• Nathan East – bass (1–2, 4–5, 7–8)
• Alex Smith – bass (3)
• Welton Gite – bass (6)
• Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – drums (1–2, 5, 7)
• Darryl Clifton – drums (3)
• Raymond Pounds – drums (4, 6)
• Roland Bautista – guitar (except 3)
• Melvin Robinson – guitar (3)
• Arthur Adams – guitar (3, 7)
• Pat Kelley – guitar (5)
• Bobby Lyle – keyboards (except 3)
• Michael Robinson – keyboards (3)
• Larry Dunn – synthesizer (1, 4–6, 8)
• Ronnie Laws – saxophone (1, 3–4), duet vocals (3) [uncredited]
• Hubert Laws – flute (4)

Production

• Producer

Hubert Laws, Ronnie Laws

• Engineer

Gerry E. Brown

• Photography: Ron Slenzak

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1981)	Peak position
US Billboard 200^[3]	70
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[4]	13

Singles

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1981	"Very Special"	Billboard Hot 100^[6]	90
		Billboard Hot Soul Singles^[7]	11
	"Be Yourself"	Billboard Hot Soul Singles^[8]	31
	"Meant for You"	Billboard Hot Soul Singles^[9]	47

Notes and References

1. Debra Laws Kept Other Job Despite Records Success. Jet . 61 . 14. 57. December 24, 1981. Johnson Publishing Company. August 13, 2020. Google Books.
2. Soul Albums. Billboard . 93 . 51. 28. December 26, 1981. Nielsen Business Media. August 13, 2020. Google Books.
3. Debra Laws, TLP. Billboard. April 27, 2021. subscription.
4. Debra Laws, BLP. Billboard. April 27, 2021. subscription.
5. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1981. Billboard. April 27, 2021.
6. Very Special (Hot 100). Billboard. August 13, 2020.
7. Very Special (R&B). Billboard. August 13, 2020.
8. Be Yourself. Billboard. August 13, 2020.
9. Meant for You. Billboard. August 13, 2020.