Leon Haywood – Back To Stay (1973)

Leon Haywood – Back To Stay (1973) 20th Century Records T-411

updated 10/22/2026

20th Century Records 1973 ‎– T-411

Notes:

Born in Houston, he listened to the blues as a child and 
started playing piano at the age of three. 
In his teens, he performed with a local group and worked 
as an accompanist to blues musician, Guitar Slim. In the early 1960s, 
he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he worked with 
saxophonist Big Jay McNeely. McNeely arranged for him to 
record his first single, "Without A Love", an instrumental on 
the small Swingin' record label. After that, he joined Sam Cooke's band 
as keyboardist until the singer's death. Haywood next recorded two singles 
for Fantasy Records, and subsequently moved to Imperial Records, 
where he recorded the single "She's With Her Other Love", 
which made the R&B charts in 1965.He was also part of two
session bands organized by Los Angeles disc jockey Magnificent Montague 
which issued the instrumental hits "Hole In The Wall"  under the name 
of The Packers, and "Precious Memories"  as the Romeos. In 1967, 
Haywood secured his first solo hitwith "It's Got To Be Mellow"  on Decca Records. 
He played on further recording sessions with the Packers and Dyke & the Blazers, 
then returned to recording under his own name.He also established in 1967 
a production company, Evejim, named after his parents.

Album Description

Released in 1973, Back To Stay is an excellent example of 
Leon Haywood's early-1970s soul sound, blending warm vocals, 
funky rhythms, melodic arrangements and heartfelt songwriting. 
Issued on 20th Century Records, this album captures an artist 
developing his distinctive style at the crossroads of classic soul 
and the emerging funk sound of the decade.

Leon Haywood was an American singer, songwriter, keyboard player
 and producer whose career began in the 1960s. Before achieving 
wider recognition with his later funk and disco recordings, he 
established himself as a versatile soul musician with a talent for 
memorable melodies and expressive performances.

Back To Stay features nine tracks, moving between upbeat, 
rhythm-driven soul and slower, more reflective material. 
Highlights include “La La Song,” “Sweet Loving Pair,” 
“Show Me That You Care,” “Fair Warnin’” and the extended 
soul ballad “Long As There’s You (I Got Love).”

The album also includes “There Ain’t Enough Hate Around 
(To Make Me Turn Around),” a socially conscious song that 
adds another dimension to the record. Together, these tracks 
showcase Haywood's ability to combine danceable 
grooves with thoughtful lyrics and strong vocal delivery.

credits:

Lead vocals: Leon Haywood
Leon Haywood was the central creative force behind the album, 
contributing vocals, songwriting, production and arrangements. 
The album's documented credits also identify 
James Anthony Carmichael as an arranger.
Engineer – David Braithwaite

tracklist:

A1 La La Song
Written-By – Leon Haywood
3:27    
A2 Sweet Loving Pair
Written-By – Bill Williams, Jr., Marshall McQueen,
 Jr., Winston Ray Williams
3:15    
A3 Show Me That You Care
Written-By – Leon Haywood, Marshall McQueen, Jr.
3:23    
A4 Let Them Walk
Written-By – Sonny Thompson
2:52    
A5 Fair Warmin'
Written-By – Marshall McQueen, Jr.
2:52    
B1 One Way Ticket To Loveland
Written-By – Jimmy Lewis, Leon Haywood
3:00    
B2 Make Me Yours
Written-By – Bettye Swann
2:56    
B3 Long As There's You (I Got Love)
Written-By – Leon Haywood, Marshall McQueen, Jr.
7:52    
B4 There Ain't Enough Hate Around To Make Me Turn Around
Written-By – Leon Haywood
3:12

Link available upon request