Information/Write-up
Loni Gamble (1955–2024) was a Philadelphia-born singer, guitarist, and producer whose musical journey found one of its brightest chapters north of the border. Though firmly rooted in American soul and funk, Gamble made a lasting contribution to Canadian music with the release of his 1983 solo album Could It Be Love, recorded and produced in Montreal.
Having begun his career as a touring guitarist with Grammy-nominated R&B legends The Stylistics, Gamble eventually set out as a solo artist, bringing his silky vocals and songwriting skills to a wider audience. His path led him to Quebec, where he teamed up with producer Steven Tracey Eisenberg and a host of Canadian session musicians to create Could It Be Love. The album was released on the Canadian label Tracey Records and recorded at Montreal’s Studio Marko, with mastering handled by Disques SNB Ltée — two staples of the local recording scene.
Blending smooth soul, dancefloor grooves, and radio-friendly hooks, the album’s title track became an international underground hit, earning airplay across Europe and North America. In Canada, it struck a chord with club DJs and R&B audiences alike, helping Gamble earn two Canadian Dance Music Awards in 1984 — for Best Record and Top Male Vocalist.
Gamble’s work in Canada exemplifies the rich cross-border musical exchange that has long enriched the soul and funk traditions of both countries. His collaborations with Canadian musicians, engineers, and producers brought a distinct Montreal polish to his sound, while reinforcing the city's status as a creative hub in the 1980s dance and R&B scene.
Beyond his musical success, Gamble remained a dedicated community leader and educator. In later years, he founded the Community Alliance for Positive Progressive Action (CAPPA) and launched the Young Gentlemen (YG’s) Performing Arts and Life Skills Project — initiatives that used music to uplift and empower at-risk youth.
Loni Gamble passed away in 2024 at the age of 69. His Montreal-recorded Could It Be Love album stands as both a creative milestone and a powerful example of Canadian-American collaboration — a soulful testament to the multicultural heartbeat of Canadian music.
-Robert Williston
Could It Be Love
Loni Gamble: lead vocals, backing vocals, guitar, percussion, LinnDrum
Steven Tracey Eisenberg: acoustic piano, LinnDrum
Mixed by Lenny Pinkas, Loni Gamble, Paul Laflamme
Written by S. Eisenberg
In Love for the First Time
Loni Gamble: lead vocals, backing vocals
Steven Tracey Eisenberg: keyboards
Written by L. Gamble, S. Eisenberg
Circles
Loni Gamble: vocals
Raymond Johnson: vocals
Steven Tracey Eisenberg: keyboards
Written by L. Gamble, R. Johnson, S. Ramirez
Dance to It
Loni Gamble: lead vocals
Steven Tracey Eisenberg: piano, LinnDrum
Written by S. Eisenberg
Nighttime Kind of Lover
Loni Gamble: vocals
Mixed by Lenny Pinkas, Loni Gamble, Paul Laflamme
Written by K. Dyson-Oliver
It's You
Loni Gamble: lead vocals
Raymond Johnson: vocals
Written by L. Gamble, R. Johnson
Kathleen Dyson-Oliver: guitar, backing vocals, rhythm & horn arrangements, vocal arrangements
Steven Tracey Eisenberg: acoustic piano, LinnDrum, rhythm & horn arrangements, vocal arrangements, producer
Raymond Johnson: backing vocals, rhythm & horn arrangements, associate producer
Goldie Alexander: percussion, backing vocals, vocal arrangements, associate producer
Bob Norfleet: bass guitar
Harold Fisher: bass guitar
Eric Roberts: drums
"Spike" Alexander: drums, percussion, LinnDrum
Daniel Joseph (D.J.): guitar, percussion
Normand Boudreau: LinnDrum
Claude Gaudet: synthesizers, string arrangements
Slim Williams: piano, synthesizers
Dave "Mousey" Edmead: synthesizer, piano, clavinet, OBX
Luc Boivin: percussion
Karla Garrison: backing vocals
Linda Niles: backing vocals
Neena Dunn: backing vocals
Darnell Robinson: soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute
Dennis Bullock: soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute
George Allen Jr.: trombone
Henry MacMillan: trumpet
Produced by Loni Gamble, Steven Tracey Eisenberg, assisted by Lenny Pinkas, Paul Laflamme for Moose Elbow Productions
Engineered by Claude Allard, Paul Laflamme
Mixed by Dan Moreau, Mario T. "The Mixer" Tremblay
Mastered by Alain Lalancette
Design concept by Jean Mims
Sleeve by J.-F. Williams
Recorded and mixed at Studio Marko
Mastered at Disques SNB Ltée.
Published by Moose Elbow Music and Cicada Music
Label note: MAL (75% Canadian content – Music, Artist, Lyrics)
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