Sincerely Yours by Luv' now on digital platforms / Track-by-track review

Photo edited by Co Rnz

Since June 11th, Luv's album "Sincerely Yours" from 1991 and the four singles taken from it (Hasta Mañana, Jungle Jive, The Last Song and He's My Guy) have been available on digital platforms!!!

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/35aRVAE

Apple Music: https://apple.co/3gnJpmQ

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3gkCCKQ

Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3cBmT95

Deezer: https://bit.ly/3ix3p9x

Sincerely Yours is an underestimated album initially released by RCA/BMG in April 1991. It was recorded by Luv's line-up consisting of Marga Scheide (the only original member who trademarked the group's name), Diana van Berlo and Carina Lemoine. Marga's partner, Jacques Zwart produced it. 

Marga owns the copyright on this record and was supported by Casper Janssen to put it on digital platforms.

A couple of months ago, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Sincerely Yours. Read the article posted on April 3rd, 2021 to know the history of this underrated album and its credits: All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): Sincerely Yours & Luv' in Thailand: 30th anniversary (luvgirlgroup.blogspot.com)

Sincerely Yours: track-by-track review

    1. "Jungle Jive" (G. Thé, Marga Scheide, E. Mergency) – 3:23

This song was released as a single in March 1991. It incorporates African elements mixed with Western pop arrangements. The vocal harmonies are perfect. Diana and Carina were well-trained vocalists before they joined Luv'. Jungle Jive includes an excerpt from the Mexican traditional song "La Raspa". 

    2. "Sincerely Yours" (Ricardo Pagan, Joseph Malloy) – 4:25

This catchy song was originally performed by the American girl group Sweet Sensation in 1988. This Latin freestyle track (taken from Sweet Sensation's debut album "Take It While It's Hot") peaked at #14 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1989. Luv's cover version is very close to the original rendering. The trio's 1991 album was named after this song. 

Sweet Sensation's original version of Sincerely Yours (1989)

    3. "Sentimental Fool" (E. Mergency, Scheide) – 4:17

This ballad was written by Marga Scheide and her partner Jacques Zwart (aka E. Mergency). It was covered in Chinese by Hong Kong singer and actress Winnie Lau.

Winnie Lau's version of Sincerely Yours in Chinese

The daughters of the famous Dutch duo Gert & Hermien formed the group She She and also covered Sentimental Fool in 1992.

    4. "Canta de la Luna" (E. Mergency, Scheide) – 4:15

This Spanglish summer song is highly inspired by "Ritmo de la Noche" (originally performed by German house group Chocolate in 1990, covered in the same year by Mystic, The Sacados and Lorca and whose opening piano riff was sampled from "I Go to Rio" by Australian artist Peter Allen). Latino music has always been part of Luv's DNA. 

Ritmo de la Noche by Lorca

    5. "2am Saturday Night" (F. Rampen, E. Mergency) – 3:10

This uptempo dance-pop song includes New Jack Swing elements, Flamenco guitars and Rap. A perfect track on the dancefloor in 1991. 

    6. "Hasta Mañana" (E. Mergency, Scheide) – 5:33

This Latino pop track (also including Flamenco guitars à la Gypsy Kings) is the first Luv' record featuring Carina Lemoine who replaced Michelle Gold. This festive single was also the group's first release on RCA Records in October 1990 after the trio's deal with Dureco. Due to its latino vibes, It was more appropriate for the summer and it should not have been released in the fall. Hasta Mañana was a foretaste of the Sincerely Yours album.

     7. "He's My Guy" (E. Mergency) – 3:44

This Jazz ballad (released as a single in September 1991) is completely different from the other songs on the album. It is not a typical Luv' song and shows the fabulous vocal range of Diana van Berlo and Carina Lemoine. This cabaret track was the only single from Sincerely Yours to enter the Dutch singles chart. This minor hit peaked at #75 on the Nationale Top 100 in October 1991. 

    

    8. "Live or Die" (A. Hol, Scheide, E. Mergency) – 3:32

This soft-rock song (incorporating the sound of a motorbike and rock guitars) gives a dramatic impression and we imagine the ladies singing it on a Harkey Davidson. 

    9. "I Wanna Make Love to You" (Lion Keezer) – 3:26

Another uptempo Spanglish song made for dancefloors. 

    10. "The Last Song" (E. Mergency, Scheide) – 4:31

This pop ballad (released as a single in June 1991) features the background vocals of the American singer Omar Dupree (formerly of Rockaway Boulevard and American Gypsy as well as a member of Band Of Gold). It has groove and soul. The musical arrangements are highly inspired by Girl I'm Gonna Miss You by Milli Vanilli. 

Milli Vanilli - Girl I'm Gonna Miss You (1989)

Source: Official Luv' (Facebook), Luv' weblog archives, YouTube