Jean Carne
Jean Carn, born Sarah Jean Perkins on March 15, 1947, in Columbus, Georgia, is an acclaimed American R&B, soul, and jazz singer known for her versatile vocal range and improvisational skills.
Raised in Atlanta after her birth in Georgia, Carn displayed musical talent early, singing at age three and joining her church choir by age four. She learned piano, clarinet, and bassoon, attended Booker T. Washington High School, and earned a scholarship to Morris Brown College for musical theater and opera training. Originally planning to study at Juilliard, she instead married jazz pianist Doug Carn, joining his fusion band.
With Doug Carn, she recorded albums like Infant Eyes, Spirit of the New Land, and Revelation in the early 1970s, gaining notice from Earth, Wind & Fire, where she sang backup on their first two albums. She toured with Duke Ellington and hit charts in 1975 with Norman Connors on "Valentine Love."
Signed to Philadelphia International Records in 1976, her debut album Jean Carn featured the R&B hit "Free Love." Follow-ups included "Was That All It Was," "Don't Let It Go to Your Head," and albums like Happy to Be With You. She moved to Motown in 1982 for Trust Me, then Omni Records in 1986, scoring her first R&B number-one with "Closer Than Close."
Carn released albums through the 1980s and 1990s, including You're a Part of Me (1988) with a cover of Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way," and Love Lessons later on. She toured extensively, raised three children, and remains noted for blending jazz, soul, and R&B.
Love Lessons
Written-By – G. Worthy, L. Wedgeworth 5:54
A2 Make Love
Written-By – Hal S. Batt, HotSauce, Isaac Gilyard 4:35
A3 Good Thing Goin On
Featuring – Billy Paul
Written-By – Jeff McDuffy, Linwood Ross, Terry Price Grant 4:35
A4 So I Can Love You
Written-By – Sheila Hutchinson 4:15
A5 Have I Told You That I Love You
Written-By – Ezara Sanders, Hal S. Batt 4:48
B1 No One Does It Better
Written-By – K. Harris, L. Robinson, T. Haynes 4:17
B2 Fallin' For You
Written-By – Ezara Sanders 4:37
B3 It's Not For Me To Say / Chances Are
Written-By – A. Stillman, R. Allen 4:39
B4 Misty
Written-By – Erroll Garner, Johnny Burke 5:35
B5 Someone To Watch Over Me
Written-By – George and Ira Gershwin 4:35
Label: Moja Entertainment Group – MEG25719032
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1995
Genre: R&B Soul, Jazz
Style: Smooth Jazz, Soul, Funk
Jean Carne's Love Lessons is praised as a strong return to her soulful roots, showcasing her rich voice with romantic ballads, classic Philly Soul influences, and surprising jazz standards, delighting longtime fans with its blend of contemporary grooves and timeless vocal artistry, solidifying her status as a versatile R&B/Soul icon. Critics highlight her powerful vocals, deft handling of both uptempo numbers and slow jams, and inclusion of jazz standards like "Misty," proving her versatility.
Reviewers consistently marvel at Carne's exquisite, five-octave voice, noting its beauty and ability to convey deep emotion.
The album delivers strong soul tracks, both fast and slow, staying true to the Philly Soul sound that defined her early career.
The inclusion of standards like "Misty" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" showcases her versatility and jazz roots, drawing comparisons to vocalists like Phyllis Hyman and Nancy Wilson.
The production, while modern for its time, still carries echoes of her work with Gamble & Huff's team and collaborator Dexter Wansel, especially in its lush arrangements.
A notable feature is the duet with Billy Paul on "Good Thing Goin' On," a perfect match for both singers.
Listeners found it a worthy purchase, a satisfying listen that recaptured the magic of her earlier work while introducing new material, making it a great choice for both longtime fans and new listeners.
In essence, Love Lessons is seen as a triumphant album that lets Jean Carne shine, blending modern R&B with classic soul and jazz, affirming her place as a significant voice in American music.
Sweet And Wonderful
Written-By – P. St. James 4:51
A2 Don't Say No (To Love)
Written-By – A. Phillips, B. Ross, R. J. Seeman 4:19
A3 Sweet And Wonderful
Vocals [Male, Duet With] – Glenn Jones
Written By – M. Robinson, D. Von Lewis, D. Hughes 3:58
A4 Love Don't Love Nobody
Written-By – C. B. Simmons, J. B. Jefferson 7:07
B1 We Got Some Catchin' Up To Do
Written-By – A. O. Johnson 5:02
B2 Mystic Stranger
Written-By – P. St. James 4:45
B3 I Just Thought Of A Way
Written-By – F. A. Austin, Jr., F. Smith 4:07
B4 Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)
Written-By – B. Holland-L. Dozier-E. Holland 4:31
Label: TSOP – FZ 36775
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Philly, Disco
Jean Carn's Sweet & Wonderful is a beloved Philly Soul masterpiece, praised for its stunning vocals, rich arrangements by Gamble & Huff's team (including McKinley Jackson), and transition from jazz-funk to sophisticated soul/disco, featuring standout tracks like "We Got Some Catching Up To Do," "Sweet & Wonderful," and "Mystic Stranger," solidifying her solo career beyond her earlier work with Doug Carn.
Critics consistently laud Carn's powerful, emotive voice as the album's centerpiece, showcasing her immense talent. It features lush arrangements, bridging her jazz roots with contemporary soul and disco, moving beyond her earlier, more esoteric jazz-funk style.
Standout Tracks: "We Got Some Catching Up To Do," "Sweet & Wonderful," "I Just Thought Of A Way," "Mystic Stranger," and "Love Don't Love Nobody" are frequently mentioned as highlights.
Norman Connors' luxurious production and the Philly International Records (PIR) team (Gamble & Huff) delivered a rich, high-quality sound.
Many fans consider it her artistic masterpiece, proving that leaving her husband Doug Carn was a great career move. The album is seen as a soundtrack to love stories, offering moments of joy and reflection.
Overall Reception: A beautiful, essential album for soul music fans, marking a significant artistic step for Carn. While some find elements of its disco style dated (especially on the companion LP), the overall quality, vocals, and arrangements make it a timeless listen. It's considered a landmark in Philly Soul, demonstrating Carn's ability to shine on her own.