Minnie Riperton - Come To My Garden LP (clear vinyl)

Minnie Riperton - Come To My Garden LP (Soulgramma/Italy)

Just a heads up that the hype sticker on the cellophane of the copy I have for sale has a small ripple where it says Limited to 180 GR in case anyone has a thing about imperfect records that are otherwise perfect.

They Say:

A proper reissue of Minnie Riperton's debut album Come To My Garden on GRT, originally published in 1970. Her name came to prominence with the highly influential Chicago band Rotary Connection, forerunners of the rock n' soul crossover. In addition to their own recordings, including their 1967 debut album Rotary Connection, the band is notable as the backing band for Muddy Waters on his 1968 psychedelic blues album Electric Mud. Standing on her own, Minnie cut a series of sublime albums moving in a more soulful way. Opening track "Les Fleur" is a shiny cover of a Ramsey Lewis -- who is musical assistant and contributor here -- classic number penned in 1968, literally a cornerstone for contemporary hip-hop and R&B being sampled by the likes of Jurassic 5 feat. Nelly Furtado, Damu the Fudgemunk, Dr. Octagon, and Cut Chemist, among others. Produced by Charles Stepney (already in with Rotary Connection and subsequently behind the desk with Earth Wind & Fire), the album benefits from its lushy orchestral arrangements, pushing the vocal duties of Minnie even forward (her five-octave vocal range, enabled her to sing in "whistle register" nevertheless). The jazzy soft-pop feel overall will mark comparison with Stevie Wonder, Riperton's future employer/mentor.

Fully licensed. 180 gram, clear vinyl.

We Say

With just 31 years on this planet, Minnie Riperton made this world a better place with her unforgettable five octave voice (think Whitney Houston mezzo-soprano with the other worldliness of Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins and the whimsy of Kate Bush), not to mention bringing actress/comedienne Maya Rudolph into this world. We have the gift of her voice in many forms, starting as the lead vocalist in the adventurous psychedelic soul band Rotary Connection, following as Stevie Wonder's supporting vocalist for a spell both live and on record, and then breaking free as a solo artist in 1970. Her debut Come To My Garden is heroic, jaw dropping chamber-soul with an all star line of musicians (Ramsey Lewis Trio + the drummer from Earth, Wind & Fire Maurice White). Orgasmic vocals that in combination with lush production could lure ships to shore with its enchanting siren calls. She may be best known for "Lovin' You", but Come to My Garden is what defines her legendary status to my ears. I don't use this term lightly but everything about this record spells masterpiece.