Janet Helms
Janet Helms is an American soul and funk singer active in the early 1970s. She is best known for her rare and collectible soul recordings produced in the United States.
Her primary recording activity took place between 1972 and 1974. Her work is categorized within the soul and funk genres, often sought after by vinyl collectors.
Key Releases:
"Sad Sad Lover" / "I Love, I Love You Baby" (1972): Released on the Stone Groove label. The single features arrangements and songwriting by Lloyd Smith (of Jastone Music Publishing).
"Surer Than Yesterday": Another notable soul track associated with her discography.
She released one album on the Stone Groove label in 1974 entitled Ship On which has become a rare and has collector's item among soul music aficionados. A remastered edition of the album may be available from Spotify.
Ship On
A2 Surer Than Yesterday 3:43
A3 Ode To Freddie Harris 3:53
A4 I Love You Baby 2:42
A5 Can’t Get Over You 4:07
B1 Our Sweet Refrain 3:19
B2 Sad Man 2:55
B3 Bird Song 3:10
B4 The Sweetest Life’s
The Life Of A Lover 2:49
B5 Time Rolls On 3:42
Label: Stone Groove – LS 4351
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Janet Helms’ Ship On is a highly regarded yet obscure soul album originally released in 1974. Contemporary reviews and archival retrospectives describe it as an "absolutely superb soul LP".
Critics highlight Helms’ soulful delivery and the album's overall high quality, noting it is an "undiscovered masterpiece" that often lacks the wider recognition it deserves.
While the record is a favorite among soul collectors, it is frequently cited for being "criminally underrated," with some reviewers feeling that standard online ratings do not give it sufficient credit. The album holds a high audience rating of approximately 4.1 / 5 on Discogs.
The album delivers warm, rich soul sounds with strong funk elements, perfect for fans of authentic 70s R&B, often praised for its smooth vocals and tight instrumentation.