Gloria Lynne
Gloria Lynne, born Gloria Wilson on November 23, 1931, in New York City, was an influential American jazz vocalist known for her emotive singing style and rich vocal timbre. She grew up in Harlem during the 1930s and 1940s, which played a significant role in shaping her musical influences and career path.
Lynne's recording career spanned several decades, from 1958 until 2007, during which she produced numerous albums. Some of her notable works include "Live! Take: 2" (1966) and "Gloria, Marty & Strings" (1963). Despite facing periods of obscurity, she made a significant impact on the jazz scene and is remembered for her contributions to the genre.
She is especially well-known for songs like "I Wish You Love," which showcases her ability to convey deep emotion through her music. Lynne's legacy continues to influence upcoming jazz artists and is celebrated within the musical community.
Happy And In Love
Written-By, Arranged By – Frank Clark 3:10
A2 How Did You Make Me Love You
Written-By – Dee Ervin
Written-By, Arranged By – Frank Clark 2:44
A3 Can You Take What I'm Gonna Do
Written-By, Arranged By – Frank Clark 2:58
A4 If You Don't Get It Yourself
Written-By, Arranged By – Frank Clark 2:48
A5 I've Just Gotta Tell Somebody
Arranged By – Art Freeman
Written-By – Dee Ervin, Lynn Farr 3:03
A6 Love's Finally Found Me
Arranged By – Art Freeman
Written-By – Alex Brown, Dee Ervin 3:18
B1 What Else Can I Do
Written-By, Arranged By – Frank Clark 4:12
B2 Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong
Arranged By – Art Freeman
Written-By – Dee Ervin, Lynn Farr 3:10
B3 Don't Tell Me How To Love You
Written-By, Arranged By – Frank Clark 4:34
B4 I'm So In Love
Arranged By – Art Freeman
Written-By – Dee Ervin, Janet Spagg 3:06
B5 I'll Take You All The Way There
Arranged By – Frank Clark
Written-By – Dee Ervin, Monk Higgins 2:34
Label: Canyon Records – LP-7709
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Gloria Lynne's Happy and in Love (1970) is praised as a vibrant, bluesy soul/funk album where her gritty voice shines in lush arrangements, moving beyond traditional jazz with powerful, emotional performances of heartbreak and love, supported by excellent session musicians like Paul Humphrey, showcasing her as a versatile, underrated vocalist despite its initial lack of major hits.
While known for jazz, this album dives into soul, funk, and R&B, featuring rich strings and horns in the style of Stax and Hi Records.
Lynne's powerful, emotive voice handles both sunny tunes and melancholic ballads, delivering raw, human feeling, particularly evident on tracks like "I'm So In Love".
The album boasts a superior session band, with standout bass by Robert "Pops" Popwell and drums by Paul Humphrey, providing solid grooves.
Despite the "happy" title, much of the album explores themes of heartbreak with uncommon sensitivity, balanced by romantic, honest numbers.
Reviewers highlight it as a strong, well-executed collection that showcases Lynne's versatility and passion, proving she's more than a "one-hit wonder" (referencing her famous "I Wish You Love").
In essence, Happy and in Love is a standout record that solidified Gloria Lynne's place as a soulful powerhouse, even if it didn't reach the heights of her signature song.
While technically a commercial failure at the time of its UK release—where it "bombed" on the DJM label—the album has gained a reputation among collectors as a hidden treasure. It is praised for capturing Lynne’s "smooth-with-some-rough-edges" vocal approach at its finest.