MY SIX BEST ALBUMS
HELEN SCOTT, 68, is the longest serving member of The Three Degrees who had hits with When Will I See You Again, Take Good Care Of Yourself, Woman In Love and My Simple Heart. The group’s first studio album for 25 years, Strategy – Our Tribute To Philadelphia, is out now and they tour from September 15. thethreedegrees.com MARVIN GAYE: What’s Going On (Motown) One of the best albums of its time. I was a fan for a long time and met him in London after seeing him perform. His songs had messages, his delivery was great and the music is easy listening. STEVIE WONDER: Fulfillingness’ First Finale (Universal/Island) I used to tell my mother I was going to marry Stevie. I had every album.
There’s something about the versatility of this that I liked. Just when you thought it was an R&B album, it was a pop album. There’s a song in Portuguese, Bird Of Beauty, that’s one of my favourites. It showed what he was capable of vocally. MAXWELL: Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite (Sony) Maxwell is more of a newcomer for me and an incredible talent. It’s pop R&B and the way he presents a song is outstanding. Whenever Wherever Whatever is one of the most beautiful love songs you’ll ever hear. INCOGNITO: Tribes, Vibes And Scribes (Mercury) When we were travelling through England in the early Nineties, this was the signature album for the tour bus. I love vocalist Maysa’s voice and the drummer, who I worked with one year, is fantastic. I sing along when I’m home cleaning or having a day by myself. EARTH, WIND & FIRE: I Am (Columbia) We do Boogie Wonderland in our show. Seeing them live was eye and ear candy because they did such elaborate shows. I took my two older children once and when I was up dancing, they told me to sit down. I said: “Who sits down at an Earth, Wind & Fire concert?” I got them to be fans too. JON LUCIEN: Rashida (BBR) I’ve just put this one in my car. It takes me back to the early Seventies. I liked his voice instantly.
He makes you believe what he’s saying. I like the Caribbean style and Would You Believe In Me has a really good dance rhythm.