Rose Royce IV: Rainbow Connection

Rose Royce IV: Rainbow Connection, released in 1979, marks the final collaboration between the group and legendary producer Norman Whitfield. Coming off the massive success of their first three albums, this record sees the band fully embracing the disco-funk zeitgeist of the era. The album is perhaps best known for the hit 'Is It Love You're After', which later became a staple of UK club culture and was famously sampled by S'Express. Sonically, the album is a showcase for Whitfield's cinematic production style, characterized by dense layering, dramatic string sections, and a heavy emphasis on the 'one' in the funk tradition. While some critics at the time felt the disco influence was a departure from their soul roots, the album has aged as a high-water mark for late-70s R&B craftsmanship. It bridges the gap between the band's soundtrack beginnings and the more electronic-leaning R&B of the following decade.