Norma Jenkins
Norma Jenkins is an American soul singer whose career spanned from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s. She began her recording journey in 1966 as the lead vocalist for a girl group known as Norma Jenkins And The Dolls, which was signed to the Maltese label. This group marked the start of her presence in the music industry, contributing to the vibrant soul scene of that era.
Jenkins is noted for her distinctive deep voice, which set her apart from many of her contemporaries in the genre. This characteristic was particularly highlighted in comparisons to other girl groups, showcasing her unique vocal talent. Her ability to deliver soulful performances garnered her recognition within the music community.
Throughout her career, she released a noteworthy project—her only album titled "Patience Is a Virtue," which demonstrated her impressive ear for deep soul grooves. The album received attention for its quality and sound, affirming Jenkins' place within the soul music genre.
Despite limited commercial success in the 1970s, Jenkins' work became highly coveted among rare soul collectors in the UK, where she remains a staple of the Northern Soul scene.
In 2019, a compilation titled Figure Me Out If You Can (Rare Soul Recordings) was released, featuring her early Maltese recordings and unreleased demos.
Patience Is A Virtue
Written-By – Sam Taylor
6:41
A2 I Fooled You (Didn't I)
Written-By – George Kerr, Ray Walker*
3:31
A3 I Did It For Real
Written-By – Larry Alexander
3:42
A4 Can You Imagine That
Written-By – George Kerr
3:48
B1 Gimme Some (Of Your Love)
Written-By – Mark Barkan, Sam Taylor
4:35
B2 Reachin' Out In Darkness
Written-By – Sam Taylor
3:13
B3 It's All Over Now
Written-By – Kenny Seymour
3:11
B4 You've Been Here Since Then
Written-By – Kenny Seymour
4:55
Label: Desert Moon Records – DMS-3200
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Norma Jenkins' 1976 album, Patience Is a Virtue, is widely regarded as a high-quality example of mid-70s soul and is highly coveted by rare soul collectors. Produced by George Kerr, the album showcases Jenkins' "rich and robust" voice, which critics often compare to the style of southern soul singers.
Jenkins is praised for a versatile and "extremely versatile classic soul voice". Her delivery on the album is noted for being richer and more robust than many of her East Coast contemporaries.
The album balances mid-tempo groovers with mellow, melodic tracks. The production, led by George Kerr with arrangements by Bert Keyes and Andrew Smith, captures a "dark, heady dance-floor drama" characteristic of the era.
While Jenkins is from New Jersey, the album's "deep soul groove" is frequently cited as having a Southern soul feel. It has also become a staple in the UK's Northern Soul scene.
Key Tracks... "Love Jones": A standout nearly seven-minute track often cited as a highlight; "Gimme Some (Of Your Love)": An uptempo "brass-belter" that serves as a high-energy centerpiece; "Reachin' Out in Darkness": A notable soul track written and produced by Sam Taylor.
The album maintains high average ratings on collector sites, typically between 4.0 and 4.5 out of 5 stars based on listener reviews.
Original vinyl copies are highly coveted by rare soul collectors, particularly within the UK Northern Soul scene, where Jenkins remains a celebrated figure. In 2012 and 2019, expanded digital and CD editions were released, often including bonus tracks such as her earlier singles "Puzzle Man (Figure Me Out If You Can)" and "The Airplane Song".