Minnie Riperton Perfect Angel/Adventures In Paradise CD

PERFECT ANGEL/ADVENTURES IN PARADISE brings together two classic albums from the legendary R&B singer whose vocal abilities put Mariah Carey to shame.

The U.K. label Stateside should be commended for putting Minnie Riperton's second through fifth solo albums back into circulation. Despite a number of representative compilations, Riperton's full-length studio recordings should not be forgotten. This 2004 release pairs 1974's Perfect Angel with the following year's Adventures in Paradise -- two albums that brought the singer her most popular success. Perfect Angel, featuring assistance from Stevie Wonder, stands with Come to My Garden as one of the best moments of her career, though it wasn't without a price; "Lovin' You" became so popular that it overshadowed her accomplishments leading up to and after its release. Adventures in Paradise isn't quite as across-the-board hot, but songs like the irresistibly seductive "Inside My Love" -- written with husband Richard Rudolph and Leon Ware -- make for another engaging listen. These albums deserve to stand alone and not fall victim to the ugly packaging that comes with most two-in-one releases. ~ Andy Kellman

2004 import-only twofer contains two of the late Soul star's original albums on one CD. Minnie, who had been lead vocalist in the '60s band The Rotary Connection, had one of the finest voices in Pop and Soul music and made a huge impact on the music business during her short life. Perfect Angel, originally released in 1974, was her first album for Capitol and contained her biggest hit 'Lovin' You', one of the most beautiful songs of the '70s...and possibly of all time! The album was co-produced by Stevie Wonder. Adventures In Paradise followed a year later and featured her wonderful voice on 10 new songs penned by Minnie and her husband. EMI.