Album of the Day

Alabama-born Candi Staton learned the musical ropes as a gospel singer before shifting to Southern soul in the late 1960s. But she may be best remembered for a disco song cut with writer/producer David Crawford – who was taking notes during a lunchtime conversation when Staton revealed she was having relationship problems. “Young Hearts Run Free” hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart on this day in 1976 and became the title track to the performer’s second Warner Bros. collection. With several other strong Crawford originals (“Run To Me,” “Destiny”), some terrific covers (Al Green's “Living For You") and fine arrangements by Sylvester Rivers, YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE became Candi Staton’s most successful album.