On this day in music history: July 25, 1980 - “TP”, the fourth studio album by Teddy Pendergrass is released. Produced by Dexter Wansel, Cecil Womack, Cynthia Biggs, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Jerry Cohen, John R. Faith and Teddy Pendergrass, it is recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, PA and New York City from December 1979 - April 1980. Ending the 70’s as one of the top R&B male vocalists, as well as experiencing major crossover success, Teddy Pendergrass starts the new decade with no signs of slowing down. With Philadelphia International co-founders Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff having their attention focused elsewhere at the time, Pendergrass’ fourth solo album is the first not to include any creative input from the duo (acting as executive producers only), neither writing or producing. Instead, Teddy takes the production reigns himself for the first time, along with several others contributing to the project including Ashford & Simpson, McFadden & Whitehead, Jerry Cohen, Cecil Womack (Womack & Womack, Valentine Brothers), and fellow Philly International staff songwriter and producers Dexter Wansel, Cynthia Biggs and John R. Faith. Musically, “TP” differs from previous albums as it features no uptempo songs at all. Coming out of the Disco Era and perhaps trying to downplay that sound, the album consists mostly of ballads and mid tempo material that emphasize Teddy’s “ladies man” image. The album features two duets with R&B star Stephanie Mills including “Feel The Fire” and “Take Me In Your Arms Tonight”. The lead single “Can’t We Try” (#3 R&B, #52 Pop) is also featured in the film and on the soundtrack of the musical comedy “Roadie”. The track that makes the biggest impression is the follow up “Love T.K.O.” (#2 R&B, #44 Pop) written by Cecil Womack and Gip Nobel, Jr.. The sexy ballad quickly becomes another of Teddy’s signature songs, and one of his most widely covered. “T.K.O.” is also sampled a number of times, on Ahmad’s “Back In The Day (Remix)”, Compton’s Most Wanted’s “Can I Kill It?” and Xscape’s “Who Can I Run To?” (Remix). R&B artists Kenny Lattimore (“I Won’t Let You Down”) and Total (“Spend Some Time”) also sample the song. First released on CD in the late 80’s, it is reissued in 1993 on Right Stuff/EMI Records. In March of 2016, UK reissue label BBR Records remasters and reissues the the album, including five additional bonus tracks. “TP” peaks at number three on the Billboard R&B album chart, number fourteen on the Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
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