Nancy Wilson: Now I'm a Woman (1970)

Diva Nancy Wilson was among contemporary music's most stylish and sultry vocalists. While often crossing over into the pop and R&B markets she remained best known as a jazz performer, renowned for her work alongside figures including Cannonball Adderley and George Shearing. Wilson recorded regularly by the late '50s, eventually signing to Capitol and issuing classic albums, including 1959's Like in Love and Nancy Wilson with Billy May's Orchestra. Her dates with Shearing solidified her standing as a talent on the rise, and her subsequent work with Adderley further cemented her growing fame and reputation. In the late '60s, however, Nancy Wilson moved away from jazz, making a number of albums which could be properly categorized as pop and R&B outings. After an extended period of works with producer David Cavanaugh, Wilson did this 1970 album with Gamble-Huff productions, featuring producers/arrangers including Thom Bell, Bobby Martin, and arranger-conductor Lenny Pakula. Cavanaugh executive produced. Around this time the Philly production team was best known for their work with artists like Jerry Butler, Billy Paul, and the Delfonics, among many others. Wilson falls right into the production style. ‘Now I’m a Woman’ is a customary strong outing from Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The beautiful ‘Joe’ has the sound of a prime Thom Bell production and Wilson gives an amazing performance and a particularly emotional note that might go through a listener. Nancy shines on ‘Lonely, Lonely’ and ‘Let's Fall in Love All Over’; both benefit from Bobby Martin's patently brassy and sweeping Philly production. All in all, and despite a few missteps, Now I'm a Woman is an important album in Wilson's oeuvre and the Philly sound. http://www.allmusic.com/