# Love Unlimited – High Steppin', Hip Dressin' Fella (You Got It Together)
Love Unlimited emerged as one of the most distinctive vocal groups of the 1970s, gaining prominence through their association with producer Barry White and his Love Unlimited Orchestra. By 1981, when this single was released on the Unlimited Gold label, the group had already established themselves as purveyors of sophisticated soul and funk music. This release represents the group during a period when they were navigating the evolving landscape of early-1980s soul and disco, adapting their signature lush, orchestrated sound to incorporate more contemporary funk elements.
The single "High Steppin', Hip Dressin' Fella (You Got It Together)" captures Love Unlimited at a moment when funk and soul were becoming increasingly intertwined with disco sensibilities. The A-side showcases the group's smooth, polished vocal delivery over a groove-oriented arrangement that emphasizes rhythmic precision alongside melodic sophistication. The track's title reflects the group's continued focus on themes of confidence and style, consistent with their broader catalog. At just over three and a half minutes, the vocal version is tightly constructed, designed for both radio play and dancefloor appeal.
The B-side presents an instrumental version extending to four and a half minutes, offering collectors an alternate perspective on the composition. This instrumental rendition strips away the vocals to reveal the underlying arrangement's complexity, allowing listeners to fully appreciate the instrumental layering and funk-oriented production that drives the track. The extended length suggests this version was particularly crafted for DJ purposes, enabling extended mixing possibilities for the club-oriented market that was thriving during this era.
Musically, the single sits at the intersection of the group's soul roots and contemporary funk trends of the early 1980s. The production maintains the polished quality associated with the Love Unlimited sound while incorporating sharper, more syncopated rhythmic elements characteristic of funk records from the period. The arrangement balances horn elements with rhythm section work, creating a sophisticated yet dance-friendly sound.
For vinyl collectors, this seven-inch single represents an important snapshot of Love Unlimited's later career and the broader trends in soul and funk music as the 1970s gave way to the 1980s. The existence of both vocal and instrumental versions on a single release demonstrates the group's versatility and their awareness of evolving radio and club formats, making this a worthwhile addition to collections focused on sophisticated soul-funk crossover records of this era.
