Paulette Reaves
Paulette Reaves is a soul singer from Miami, Florida. She gained recognition in the 1970s for her deep soul vocals and distinctive style.
Reaves released her debut album Secret Lover in 1976 on the Blue Candle label, produced by Clarence Reid (aka Willie Clarke) of TK Records fame. At just 22 years old, she showcased a powerful southern soul range blended with modern soul sophistication, drawing comparisons to artists like Jean Carn and Phyllis Hyman.
Secret Lover (1976): Featured standout tracks like "Let Me Wrap You In My Love," "Secret Lover," "There's Fire Down Below," and "If You Don't See Me Again." The album stood out amid TK's disco-heavy output.
Singles like "Jazz Freak" (1977, penned by Clarence Reid) made a strong impression in soul circles. Later work included All About Love (1979), with tracks such as "It's In Me."
Reaves' confident singing mixed raw emotion with polished arrangements, though she remains underrecognized despite her unique talent. She continues to be celebrated in rare soul and reissue circles.
Secret Lover
A2 Your Real Good Thing's About To Come To An End (I. Hayes-D. Porter 5:07)
A3 There He Is (L. Weiss, L. Edwards 3:52)
A4 Let Me Wrap You In My Love (H. Straws, N. Dean 3:52)
B1 There's Fire Down Below (Clarence Reid 3:04)
B2 If You Don't See Me Again (Clarence Reid 3:40)
B3 Love The Hell Out Of Me (Clarence Reid 3:55)
B4 Secret Lover (Clarence Reid 4:00)
Label: Blue Candle – 55055
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Paulette Reaves' 1976 album Secret Lover is a respected record in the rare groove, soul, funk, and disco scenes, particularly known for its association with the vibrant "Miami Sound" produced by the T.K. Records affiliated Blue Candle label. Professional critical reviews are scarce in publicly available sources, but the album is highly regarded by collectors and fans of 70s soul.
The album is a quintessential piece of Miami soul, blending deep soul ballads with upbeat funk and disco elements. It captures the distinctive production style of the TK Records empire.
The title track, "Secret Lover," is a notable song, and other tracks like "Let Me Wrap You in My Love" gained traction on the rare groove scene. The track "You Are My Star" was also featured on a nineties compilation by Expansion Records.
Due to its niche appeal and the collectability of T.K. Records productions, the album is highly sought after by vinyl and soul music collectors, often commanding high prices for original pressings. It has been reissued in various formats, including Japanese import CDs.
The album is praised for its quality soul and funk tracks, showcasing Reaves' powerful vocals backed by the polished Miami studio sound. It is considered a solid, enjoyable listen for enthusiasts of the era and genre.