... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Natalie Cole's stunning debut for Capitol Records in the mid 70s – a real surprise, and a set that should have had the singer blossoming even more than she did at the time! As with some of the other Capitol soul sessions of the time, the album's done very firmly under the guidance of Charles Jackson and Marvin Yancey – a pair who give Natalie just the right sort of backing to launch her career – a sound that's full and rich, deeply sophisticated – but also still plenty soulful, almost in the mode of some of Minnie Riperton's work at the time. Given the pair's Chicago roots – and the arrangement help from Richard Evans – that comparison is no surprise, and Natalie rises to the occasion nicely. Titles are all originals too – and include "Needing You", "Joey", "I Can't Say No", "Something For Nothing", "I Love Him So Much", "You", "Your Face Stays On My Mind", and the huge hit "This Will Be". LP, Vinyl record album

Natalie Cole gets some great Chicago soul help here from Richard Evans and Gene Barge – who did the original arrangements – which are adapted by Don Hannah for performance, then conducted by Linda Williams! That's a mouthful, but under the guidance of Charles Jackson and Marvin Yancey on production, everything comes out mighty nice! LP, Vinyl record album

Surprising 70s work from tenorist Bill Perkins – a set with a very different groove than his better-known sides from the 50s, with lots of sharp angles, modern touches, and a wonderfully rich sound overall! Perkins plays tenor, baritone sax, and flute – and he's working with some very hip players who include Pepper Adams on baritone, Gordon Goodwin on tenor and soprano sax, and Lou Levy on piano – the last of whom is most likely a key component in the sound, as Perkins' music here has some of the same fresh notes and new tones we've heard on Lou's overlooked 70s recordings. Goodwin's a player we don't know at all, but we love his work here – and he also contributed two great tunes to the set too. Titles include a killer remake of Natalie Cole's "La Costa" – plus "Confluence", "Indoor Sports", "Civilization & Its Discontents", and "Dylan's Delight". LP, Vinyl record album