It's Been a Long Time

Recorded for the 1973 album of the same name at RCA's New York and Hollywood studios, the track features Leslie Wilson on lead vocals. James Baker and Melvin Wilson wrote the song, with Baker arranging and conducting, Harvey Fuqua producing and Jim Crotty engineering. The title track became another major hit for the group when issued as a single in 1974, reaching number nine on Billboard's soul chart. Its extended performance showcased Wilson's lead vocal against the ensemble's harmonies. Somethin' for the People sampled the recording for My Love Is the Shhh!, their 1997 breakthrough hit featuring Trina & Tamara. The reuse brought New Birth's recording into a later generation of popular music.