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. by Andy Kellman
Tracklist:
Perfect Angel (1974)
1 Reasons 3:26
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
2 It's So Nice (To See Old Friends) 4:44
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
3 Take a Little Trip 4:08
Stevie Wonder / Mark Wright
4 Seeing You This Way 2:44
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
5 The Edge of a Dream 4:21
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
6 Perfect Angel 3:42
Stevie Wonder
7 Every Time He Comes Around 3:54
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
8 Lovin' You 3:43
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
9 Our Lives 5:58
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
Adventures in Paradise (1955)
10 Baby, This Love I Have 4:10
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph / Leon Ware
11 Feelin' That Your Feelin's Right 4:21
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph / Leon Ware
12 When It Comes Down to It 3:19
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
13 Minnie's Lament 4:12
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
14 Love and Its Glory 5:12
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
15 Adventures in Paradise 3:13
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph / Joe Sample
16 Inside My Love 4:48
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph / Leon Ware
17 Alone in Brewster Bay 4:25
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
18 Simple Things 3:40
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
19 Don't Let Anyone Bring You Down 2:59
Minnie Riperton / Richard Rudolph
