PERFECT ANGEL BY MINNIE RIPERTON (A PERFECT ALBUM)

Perfect Angel By Minnie Riperton

It's funny when you listen to "It's So Nice (To See Old Friends") the second track off of Minnie Riperton's second album,  Perfect Angel, released in 1974.  The song opens with flange-drenched harmonics performed on an electric guitar.  But, after listening to Minnie Riperton's magnificent high register on the opener "Reasons," you're not sure whether those are guitar harmonics or the singer doing more incredible things with her voice.  Riperton has an absolutely unheard of five octave range and she tastefully showcases all of it on  Perfect Angel, which was produced by the artist's husband—and actress Maya Rudolphs father—Richard Rudoplh and Stevie Wonder.  Riperton shows a lot of love on  Perfect Angel and it feels authentic because all but two songs, including the irresitable hit  "Lovin' You," were composed with her husband.  The other songs  "Take A Little Trip" and "Perfect Angel" are Stevie Wonder creations.  

Of course, "Lovin' You" is the reason that the public made  Perfect Angel a hit record.  Indeed, it's an unbelievable song and performance.  But, every track on the LP is a stand-out.  For a writer and vocalist who can do things that 99% of singers can only dream of,  Perfect Angel feels remarkably tasteful, relaxed and calculated.  It's an appropriately-titled masterpiece.  In fact, the only thing that isn't perfect is the album cover, which depicts a nearly naked Riperton in denim overalls holding a melting vanilla ice cream cone.  My guess is that her vocals brought the heat.  

Perfect Angel By Minnie Riperton