Perfect Angel

Seldom has the name of an album been more apt: Minnie Riperton possessed a perfectly angelic voice. This utterly entrancing 1974 set generated Minnie s breakthrough to mainstream stardom, its gold record status fueled in large part by its mammoth hit 'Lovin You.' Cut at the Record Plant in L.A. with Stevie Wonder s band (anchored by bassist Reggie McBride and drummer Ollie Brown) in succulent support, 'Perfect Angel' was an altogether enchanting vehicle for Riperton s five-and-a-half-octave vocal range. She could effortlessly float all the way up into Yma Sumac territory while retaining a singular spine-chilling soulfulness.