""Ultimate Collection" is the only album on the market where you can get a full dose of Angela Winbush's sweet, soulful melodies from the 1980s up to her latest original work with The Isley Brothers in 1996. There isn't a bad song on this album, and rightfully it should have contained a few more songs, like "Imaginary Playmates" from her Rene & Angela days, but I digress. If you like this one, I suggest that you get the Rene & Angela album, "A Street Called Desire...and More," which has a much better version of "You Don't Have To Cry" than you get in this set, plus excellent 12" versions of "Save Your Love (For #1)," "I'll Be Good," and "Your Smile." Another good choice is the album "Sharp," wich has some other gems like "You Had A Good Girl.""
"Ms. Winbush is a "diva" of the highest order"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Born in St. Louis, Mo. (hometown girl) began singing gospel in her church choir, also learned to play the piano at an early age. Went to Howard University in Washington D.C. and majored in architecture, began singing at recording sessions to pay expenses at the school. Worked with Al Jarreau and Stevie Wonder, by then it was too late, the bug had bit her...changed her major to music education. The experience was invaluable while working in the studios during recording dates, got the opportunity to see what happens and learned about writing and producing firsthand.In 1980, she met singer/composer Rene' Moore and became "Rene' & Angela" recorded several albums together "Wall To Wall" (1981), "Rise" (1983) and "Street Called Desire" (1986). And then in 1987, Angela went solo with - "Sharp" (1987), "It's The Real Thing" (1989), "Angela Winbush" (1994) and finally "Ultimate Collection" (2001) featuring the highlights of previous albums mentioned, this is the best of the best in "ultimate fashion".Hip-O Records and Pat Lawrence, have put together this excellent collection featuring the depth and breadth of her talent, blending so well with her skill and artistry, and there's no doubt that, in the world of real-life musical divas, Angela Winbush is in a category all of her own...spin this cd, sit back and enjoy this collection to end all collections!Total Time: 79:55 on 17 Tracks...Hip-O Records 560347...(2001)"
Definitely didn't get her due
rodog63jr | bronx, N.Y.C. N.Y. USA | 12/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the 1980's, there were so many talented female artists, that many were overlooked. Angela is one of them. She wrote, produced and sang. She was part of Rene' and Angela and went on to a solo career and a 10 year marriage to Ronald Isley. I'll be good, Angel, Save your love, and others make Angela a hot underrated artist."
Awesome!
bomillyiam | 08/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Angela Winbush was the Anita Baker of her time. An absolutely unmistakeable voice to say the least. Never to be duplicated or imitated. Why she didn't get the recogntion that Anita did is mind boggling. She did more than just sing. i used to work graveyard and one ofe the local stations had a midnight request line. I've lost count on the number of times I called and requested "Your Smile", "You Don't have to Cry". and "Angel". Classics for all time."
Winner with Winbush
Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 02/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ever scratched your head and wondered which Angela Winbush album to buy after the break up of Rene & Angela ? Fret no more. This is the one and only. Why ? Because this collection showcases the best of both of Ms. Winbush's musical worlds as part of a duo and solo artist. Her voice can only be described as smooth,vibrant,sexy, and very,very classy. She's one of the most underrated and few R&B divas to be able to get you to move on the floor or spend a special evening with someone with her smoldering ballads. The key to captivating her audience are some of her deep and soulful lyrics. The rest is cloaked in the best of R&B-pop has to offer from the 80's and possibly 90's ! Many will remeber the funk-dance driven frenzy from Save Your Love for #1 w/rapping from Kurtis Blow. You Don't Have to Cry is a mellow and emotional ballad at best with it's synthesized/sampled rain drops and thundering effects in the beginning. The simple yet provocative crooning she does on the slower tempoed song Angel is to die for.Even her re-make of Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues shows that if a female vocalist is worthy and can perform any Gaye song, she is definitely the one !..."