On Saturday 24th April of last year, I played ‘Reasons’ from Minnie Riperton’s Perfect Angel album during my gig at Ronnie Scott’s. (You can listen to and download a live recording of that set here.)
I bought the vinyl reissue of Perfect Angel from Liverpool’s Probe Records, and at the time didn’t really listen further than this opening rock-soul anthem. The lyrics played around my head for months, and it became an end of night tune in many of my sets last year. ‘Reasons’ is also one of the best examples of Minnie’s majestic command of the whistle register, sustaining notes for extended periods in the sixth and seventh octave. But it would be a disservice to describe this talent in terms of technical ability; Minnie Riperton’s gift goes fay beyond that.

Minnie Riperton – Reasons
The reasons for my life are in a million faces
Like aching promises I feel them in my bones
Slipping through my fingers to dance upon the road
The reasons for my life are more than I can hold
But oh, the sweet delight to sing with all my might
To spark the inner light of wonder burning bright
You’re not alone
You’re not alone.
The reasons for my life are buried in deep places
Words once could awaken them
These seeds that I have sown
Ringing through the madness to crash against the cold
The reasons for my life cannot be bought or sold.
The reasons for my life are filling all my spaces
Like rushing waters flow, they carry me along
Twisting through my memory to pull free from the load
The reasons for my life are more than I was told.
__
In September 2010, I moved my studio, record collection and library to a permanent home in Southport, and my records waited miserably in boxes until I had the chance to unpack them at the end of December. The roads were dangerously icy across the UK, and Southport was one of the most seriously affected places in the country. We were snowed in, and I spent the best part of a week exploring the lesser known corners of my record collection. I played ‘Perfect Angel’ over and over – I was enthralled – and my admiration for Minnie grew with each listen.
Last night, I tearfully watched ‘Unsung: The Story Of Minnie Riperton’ after downloading a complete copy from a Minnie Riperton tribute site. (You can still get it here.)
On the back of the ‘Perfect Angel’ LP, there is a note written by ‘a very special fan’:
When Minnie sings I feel my insides rush and quiver. She touches a place in me where no one else can go. It’s hard to believe how incredibly high and beautiful Minnie can sing. But I know her, and I believe. Sometimes I just lay back and try to imagine how sweet her soul must be. Thank you for your music, Minnie… a gift of love for all the world to see…
This message is the lyrical inspiration for the following little-known but incredibly beautiful tribute by DJ Cam and In Love.
Attempting to capture the wonder of Minnie in words is an impossible task, but the essence of her spirit shines through every note. Her gift of love lives on.

DJ Cam feat. In Love – For Minnie
Just like an old sweet song for Minnie
It’s bringing all my memories
And that’s the way she used to be
So sweet, sweet and lovely.
Just like the way she used to sing ‘Loving You’
It was more than just a dream come true
And loving you is all I want to do
I can see your soul shining through.
Just a little touch of love
I feel my insides rush and quiver
Just a little touch of love
And your love will live forever.
Thank you for your magic music Minnie
A gift of love for the world to see
How beautiful you were and always be
So sweet, sweet and lovely.
And I think you are a perfect angel
Yes I think you are a chosen one
Sometimes I dream that you could be around
And sing such a sweet song.
Just a little touch of love
I feel my insides rush and quiver
Just a little touch of love
And your love will live forever.