Barry White mastered the passion and purr of silky love songs, set to marathon soul grooves and glossy swaths of strings. Starting out as a hired songwriter and producer, he went solo in the ‘70s, establishing his full-bodied bass-baritone as a definitive cue for romance. His generous sigh sets the devotional tone for “Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up,” while he confirms the frisky mood of “What Am I Gonna Do With You” with playful vocal trilling. Before his death in 2003, White made a well-deserved ‘90s comeback, ensuring that the healing power of love remained his lasting musical legacy.