I just get w-e-a-k wheneva I hear this lady sings, I love that fact that her vocal chords are mix of the sensual moans and screams of a Minnie Riperton, the operatic highs and vocal control of a Leontyne Price, the shouts which give you glimmers and shades of Aretha Franklin, the depth of Sarah Vaughan and the multi-layered phrasing and voicings of Chaka Khan(And ESP Chaka Khan cuz she def sound like her).

Man, 4get the singing, just read the credits on the back of any Àngela Winbush project to see "All songs written, produced and arranged by Àngela Winbush for A-Golden Lady Productions." Creative control and credits such as these aren't just handed over...they are earned. In her early years she got involved in recording sessions with a group called HOT TEA. The letters in the word TEA stood for the names of the ladies that sung with Àngela(Whose birth name is Angela Howard), Fellow music majors Tawatha Agee, of Mtume fame, and vocalist Ellete Ricks. Also during this time, she wrote a song that would one day become a 1 R&B hit and go through four interpretations. Originally written with the title, "The Power Of God", lata covered and topped the charts by Stephanie Mills in 1986 BUT nobody can do that shit betta than Angela herself, she covered the song with some additional arrangments 4 her 89 LP "Its The Real Thing" maaan, my eyes get misty whenever I hear her version.

After that she got hired by STEVIE WONDER 4 his back-up vocalists group(I think they're called Wonderland) and from there, she learned a great deal from the man himself about playing every type of synthesizer and drum machine and thats when she met her potna Mr. Rene Moore and 2ghether they produced Rufus feat Chaka Khan, Janet and alot of other 80's artists. Lets leave the "Rene & Angela" topic alone becoz its waaay too long and I already made a topic about it.

Back 2 Angela, when she broke-up with Rene after a dramatic series play, she made her debut solo career and it includes:

1-"Sharp"(85 I think): I'm not really too crazy about it but the song "Hey Beloved" is one of the tightest love jams eva written in the history(in my opinion) and I love the fact that it does remind me a bit of Isly Bros's "Hello, Its Me". This lp is not what you can call a masterpiece debut, but something about it that has edge and darkness make me like this LP.

2-"The Real Thing"(1989): She's mo' grown in this effort, its a musically diverse project that delves into not only gospel but contains some jazz influences. The funk is still there via singles "It's The Real Thing". The ballads are evident with highlights such as the beautiful, the amazing, the powerful, the breath-taking "I've Learned To Respect (The Power Of Love)" I SIMPLY ADORE THIS PIECE RIGHT HERE, "I'll Never Be The Same" (originally offered to Whitney Houston), "Please Bring Your Love Back" and the jazzy cut "Precious" in which Àngela incorporates four part harmony, dissonant chords, jazz progressions and cadences. Anotha heartfelt piece "Lay Your Troubles Down" which was written 4 her half brotha who commited a suicide.

3-"Angela Winbush"(1994): all the critics agreed that this LP is the most musical LP since her previous efforts considering that she brought great deal of respected musicians such as George Duke, Gerald Albright, Nathan East, Thom Bell, Ernie Isley and Chuckii Booker, who produced the hit single "Treat U Rite". "You're My Everything" is def the highlight of the LP simply becoz she paid a tribute 4 Chaka Khan with her singing not only that but Chaka fans will also recognize an ad-lib in the song "Dream Lover" that comes from "Ooh I Like Your Lovin'",,not really hard to notice 4 me becoz I'm a MAD fan of both sistas and I anderstand the connection.

Àngela and Ronald departed shortly after and Ron started T-Neck Records again with the release of the platinum Isley Brothers set,"Mission To Please" with Àngela wearing producing, writing, singing and arranging hats once again; she also produced a track in theri last lp "Eternal". It's a shame that the industry seems to have slowed her recording of another solo project but it is clear that she has more talent in her eyebrow than some of the female vocalists at the top of the charts today, some of whom couldn't begin to tell the key of a song, how to read, write, play and/or music, how to sing correctly with proper breath support or even how to sing on key. Many of the mediocre artists bombarding the music airwaves today pretend to be musically inclined, but have a long way to go before they can call themselves a true vocalist, musician or especially, diva. Àngela Winbush is all of these and more!



Whheooo there I paid my tribute,,,pay yours goddamn it
[This message was edited Sat Jan 11 9:52:05 PST 2003 by Harlepolis]

Terrific Voice she is so Cool. I have one of her cds but it's a later one from 90 or after. I can't check it but she is awesome and you should check her out.

I'll never forget how she pronounced her name: AHN-ge-la!
[This message was edited Sun Jan 12 10:55:54 PST 2003 by UptownDeb]

UptownDeb said:

What?? LOL this is new to me

Very Underrated Artist IMHO.Artists&Sisters like Her,Patrice Rushen&Lynn Carrington,Cyndi Blackmon among others deserve far more Props.

Good Morning All,

Hope everyone weekend was well.

Harlepolis, you know I loves me some Angela. like Sophia loves her some Harpo....

Angela Winbush is a very talented artist. I love her music. In the mid to late 80's she was one of the most sort after producer in the R&B industry. I love her albums. I listened to The Real Thing{released in 1989}just the other day. I still think "Precious" from that album is the best thing she's ever done {saying alot because the sista has put in some good work over the years}. That song should have been released as a single. I love her melodies and chord changes{her and El Debarge are some underrated masters at implementing beautiful chord changes and progessions in their music}.

I remember her singing "I Learned To Respect The Power Of Love" live on Soul Train back in 89] when she released her album "The Real Thing".

Yes she is bad {as in good} thats for sure.

I also used to jam to "Treat U Rite" from her 1994 album Angela Winbush .

Brother915 said:

"Treat U Right" was a tight Jam She did with Chuckki Booker.I was Bumping too that Jam Last Summer.Right ON!!

How do you guys think of her version of "Make Me Wanna Holler"??? I love the way she sampled Marvin's voice as if he's an echo and the bassline is funkier than Marivn's version. I thought she did a grea jop


"Hey Beloved" was xlusivly played in my sista's wedding.

I love Angela Winbush. If you ask me she revived the Isley Brothers' career with powerful funk ballads with serious basslines, in addition to singing, writing, producing, arranging, probably playing for other artists as well. She is a phenomenal entertainer and I hope she comes back to scene either singing or producing others as she once did. I heard from someone she lives in Las Vegas.

Did she really break up with Ron Isly?? I surely hope not

Harlepolis said:

I believe it was during an interview on Soul Train many years ago. It seemed so pretentious, like, Jack-KAY instead
of Jackie.

Well well well,,,this is mos def THE VERY BEST news I eva heard in a very looong time. I screamed lik a witch when I got my hands on this:

-Who is this brutha??

Angela Winbush makes a comeback

Angela Winbush is back and ready to do some big things in 2003. She has a new vision, a new attitude, and wants to come back as the new Angela. The CD that she is working on will be put together like a play with acts 1-10 of her life. She wants to complete work on her first gospel CD and wants to begin performing again. Angela said, "It's time for me to move forward. I'm coming off of the sidelines and I'm back in the game as a full-time player."
Over the past few years, Angela has been working with her ex-husband, Ronald Isley, and was the supervising producer of the Isley Brothers hit, "Contagious."
When asked about her relationship with Ronald, she said, "I don't get bitter, I get better. It was an amicable parting. I'm steamrolling ahead like Tina Turner number two." At some point, Angela wants to write a book about situations that women can find themselves in when they're married to a high profile public figure.
The new Angela can be seen and heard on a song and video called "Making History" by a group named Survivalist. I have seen some pictures from the video shoot and let me tell you that Ms. Angela has been keeping herself up mighty well.

-From Sister2Sister the latest issue!!