and the song was quickly recorded with Wonder on electric piano and synthesizers. Rudolph supplied the chirping birds from a sound effects reel. Commercial reception Epic released Perfect Angel in June 1974, one month before Wonder's Fulfillingness' First Finale hit the record stores. While the album represented Riperton's eclectic musical directions, it posed a marketing dilemma with the label: is she a rock, soul or pop singer? As for radio, "Reasons", the first single, was embraced by the rock stations, but R&B radio weren't too keen on the hard-rocking guitar work heard on the disc. "Every Time He Comes Around" and "Seeing You This Way" hit a similar brick wall. Sales started slow, and Epic was ready to move on to the next project However, a few MOR (Middle Of the Road) radio stations were playing "Lovin' You" as an album cut. Riperton and Rudolph heard this and asked Epic to give the song a shot as a single release. The label agreed and "Lovin' You" was on 45 in November 1974. The single made a slow three-month climb to #1 on the pop charts in April (#3 R&B), thanks to an intense promotional schedule (her TV appearances on American Bandstand and Soul Train aired the same Saturday afternoon) and several in-person concert appearances. The album went Gold on the strength of "Lovin' You" and remains the only Gold Album in Riperton's career. Minnie Riperton was finally revered as the "lady with the high voice and flowers in her hair." The album also featured the song "Every Time He Comes Around", with Deniece Williams singing the background vocals. Reissue In December 2017, Capitol Records released a deluxe edition of Perfect Angel as a two CD set with outtakes and previously unreleased alternate versions of the original songs. Track listing All songs written by Minnie Riperton and Richard Rudolph except where indicated. Side One "Reasons" – 3:25 "It's So Nice (To See Old Friends)" – 4:47 "Take a Little Trip" – 4:11 "Seeing You This Way" – 2:51 "The Edge of a Dream" – 4:20 Side Two "Perfect Angel" – 3:41 "Every Time He Comes Around" – 3:55 "Lovin' You" – 3:44 "Our Lives" – 5:42 Personnel Information adapted from the original album's Liner Notes Minnie Riperton – vocals (A1-A4, B3-B4, lead on A5-B2) Stevie Wonder (as El Toro Negro) – acoustic piano, electric piano (A2-B4), drums (A1), cymbals, bass drum