Penny Goodwin - Portrait of a Gemini (1974) [Japanese Reissue 2004]

First ever CD issue of the ultra rare album (originally from a Milwaukie label, only 2000 copies were pressed). Used vinyl copies of the original LP were going for five hundred dollars in the collectors market at one point. Includes a has-to-be-heard-to-be-believed version of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" (a cult club favorite) and features Richard Evans(b), Phil Upchurch(g), and Morris Jennings(ds).

A legendary bit of jazzy soul -- recorded by an obscure female singer from Milwaukee! Penny's got a warm style that's pretty darn nice on its own -- but it's made even better by the great arranger Richard Evan, who helped out a lot on the session. The feel is very much in the Chicago sophisti-soul mode -- and at times, the record sounds a lot like Marlena Shaw's best work in the 70s, particularly her sides for Blue Note in the early part of the decade. Includes the great original "Too Soon You're Old" -- a jazz dance classic for many years -- plus a stellar cover of Gil Scott Heron's "Lady Day & John Coltrane", and the tracks "What's Goin On", "Slow Hot Wind", "He's Come Back", and "Rain Sometimes". - DustyGroove America