Music on My Mind is a studio album by American singer Nancy Wilson, released by Capitol Records in June 1978. It was produced by Clarence McDonald, with arrangements by Charles Veal, and combined elements of R&B, soul and jazz.
Background
Capitol released the album in conjunction with Wilson's 25th anniversary in show business, and it was recorded in front of 40 special guests who had been invited to celebrate the occasion. In addition, Wilson was scheduled to perform a special anniversary concert in Long Beach, California, on June 17, 1978, to coincide with the album's release, but she was involved in an automobile accident five days before, and the concert had to be canceled. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley proclaimed June 11–17 "Nancy Wilson Week," and U.S. Representative Robert K. Dornan (R-CA) gave her a Congressional Commendation for her "unflagging dedication toward improving the quality of life, (and for being) a good will ambassador, without portfolio, to all the nations she visits on her performance tours."
Reception
In a September 1978 review, Stereo Review labelled the album a "Recording of Special Merit." Critic Peter Reilly said, "Nancy Wilson's 'Music on My Mind' is more proof that class will always tell. But just as class has always been a part of Wilson's performances throughout her long career, so has a powerful grasp of elemental sexuality. When these combine with her newly developed acting abilities, as they do here in the really fine title song, the result is champagne with a kick like hundred-proof vodka."
Billboard Magazine selected "I'm Gonna Let Ya" as one of its Recommended songs in their "Top Single Picks" for the week ending May 6, 1978.
Jason Ankeny at AllMusic said the album "stakes out turf somewhere between jazz and contemporary soul" and that "the high-energy, high-gloss grooves propel Wilson to deliver some of her boldest performances."
Reissues
In 2013, SoulMusic Records released a digitally remastered version of Music on My Mind in a 2-CD set with her 1979 album, Life, Love & Harmony.
Track listing
Side 1
"I'm Gonna Let Ya" (Clarence McDonald, Fritz Baskett, Lani Groves) – 3:04
"Music on My Mind" (Deniece Williams, McDonald, Groves) – 3:03
"I'm a Balloon" (Baskett, Groves) – 4:28
"Let it Flow" (Nancy Wilson, Ralph Tee, Norman Williams, Norman Street) – 3:26
"Easy" (McDonald, Baskett, Groves) – 3:41
Side 2
"He Makes Me Feel Good 'Bout Myself" (Baskett, McDonald) – 3:14
"I'm in Love" (Baskett, McDonald, David N. Shields) – 3:37
"I Really Need Him" (Baskett, McDonald, Groves) – 3:10
"Light" (Baskett, McDonald) – 3:18
"Music on My Mind (Reprise)" (Baskett, McDonald, Groves) – 0:54
Personnel
Nancy Wilson – vocals
Clarence K. McDonald – keyboards
Reginald Burke – keyboards
Leo Nocentelli – guitar
Mike Anthony – guitar
Mitchell Holder – guitar
David N. Shields – bass
Earl Palmer – drums
Technical personnel
Clarence McDonald – producer
Charles Veal – arranger
Grover Helsey – engineer
Hugh Davies – engineer
Wally Traugott – mastering engineer
Jay Ranellucci – mixing engineer
Larkin Arnold – executive producer
Charts
The song "I'm Gonna Let Ya" reached No. 94 on Billboard's Best Selling Soul Singles, remaining on the charts for 5 weeks. It peaked at No. 81 on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart.