Recorded at the
Sigma Sound Studios in
Philadelphia, most of the album was composed and produced by
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
Message in the Music is the last O'Jays album to feature vocals from original group member William Powell, who would die prematurely from
cancer, aged 35, in May 1977. In 2004,
Message in the Music was reissued by Demon Music in the UK in a double package with The O'Jays' 1977 album ''
Travelin' at the Speed of Thought''.
Singles Message in the Music spawned two
R&B chart-topping singles in "
Message in Our Music" and "
Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)", with the latter also giving the group their fourth
UK top 30 single. ==Critical reception==