When Love is New is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. It was produced by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff; arranged by Bobby Martin, Dexter Wansel, Norman Harris, and Jack Faith; and engineered by Joe Tarsia. Released in December 1975, it reached #139 on the Billboard Pop Album chart and #17 on the Soul chart. It includes the singles "Let's Make a Baby" which hit #83 on the Pop singles chart, #18 on the Soul chart, and #30 in the UK and "People Power" which reached #82 on the Soul chart and #14 on the U.S. Dance chart. The album was reissued on CD in 2010 by the U.K.'s Edsel Records. This was the final album where Paul was backed by MFSB, the house band of Philadelphia International Records (PIR).
When Love Is New
Both the album's front and back cover show Paul laying down in a relaxed, happy pose -- evocative of the LP's title about new love.
Paul Williams, known professionally as Billy Paul, was an American soul singer, known for his 1972 No. 1 single "Me and Mrs. Jones". His 1973 album and single War of the Gods blends his more conventional pop, soul, and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences.
Paul in 2012
Billy Paul was heavily influenced by female jazz vocalists, perhaps none more than Billie Holiday.
Billy Paul served with Elvis Presley and a number of other musicians in post-World War II Germany.
Billy Paul cited the Beatles as the key influence on his musical growth from jazz to other musical genres.