Who is Sweet Angel you ask? Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1964, Sweet Angel is one of few who did not get her launch singing in church. Sweet Angel has been compared to Dinah Washington, Irma Thomas, Denise LaSalle and Millie Jackson.
Sweet Angel’s love and appreciation for good music though, stemmed from her childhood. Her mother loved listening to the Blues on Saturday mornings and her father sung gospel in the church choir. Never considering a career in music, Sweet Angel worked in corporate America as a mortgage banker and real estate agent until as fate has it, she became acquainted with her now husband and personal manager, Mac “Mike” Dobbins.
In elementary school, Sweet Angel was part of the Orff Music Program. There she song with the chorus and learned to play the xylophone. In middle school, she broadened her musical abilities when she learned to play clarinet in the band. She excelled in music and won top seats in the All-City Band and All West Tennessee Bands. She later began playing the tenor saxophone because of its shiny appeal. She honed her skills further by not only playing in the marching band, but also the jazz band. In the late 80’s, Sweet Angel played alto saxophone at Libertyland in Memphis, Tennessee with the unit that played for the Elvis Presley impersonator, Andy Childs. Sweet Angel fluently plays over 15 different woodwind instruments.
Sweet Angel's first album (2007) was “Another Man’s Meat on My Plate” which included singles she is still known for today: ‘Another Man’s Meat on My Plate’, ‘I Must Be Crazy’, and ‘Right Street, Wrong Way’. Recorded initially under an independent label formed by her and her husband, the album received favorable recognition. In 2008, this album was the key to Sweet Angel winning the Jus’ Blues Music Awards - Best New Southern Soul Female. ‘Another Man’s Meat on My Plate’ remains the singer’s signature song. In 2008, Sweet Angel signed with Memphis-based Ecko Records. The album was re-released with two new cuts added, ‘I’d Rather Have A Cheatin’ Man’ and ‘I’m Gonna Give You Good Love’.
Sweet Angel's music is currently classified in the Southern Soul genre. Although her music doesn’t sound like any other Southern Soul being produced. This has been the fact since her very first album in 2007. Daddy B. Nice states, “The jazz and pop hints that made Dinah Washington a crossover star are there in Sweet Angel's delivery. It's what gives the songs their power. It's also what makes Sweet Angel's songs sound suspect to the Southern Soul ear. At this point in time she represents the urban diva of Southern Soul from the northern and urban point of Southern Soul's world: Memphis.” Sweet Angel’s “fierce articulation and her knife-edged vocal timbre make almost everything she sings sound emotionally focused and suffused with hard-won, life-affirming power. [Living Blues]”
In 2008, Ecko Records released Sweet Angel’s second album ‘Handle Your Business’. The title cut received some attention along with ‘Guilty as Charged’. This album was classic southern soul/blues sound that is so hard–to-find these days, but an approach that Sweet Angel can certainly handle with assurance. She sounds totally convincing on every track.
In mid-2009, her third album, a gem of an album, was released entitled ‘Bold Bitch’. The title cut, though controversial because of its provocative title, is great music of the highest order. Sweet Angel's vocals provide a center of gravity that never waivers, even when she "spreads her wings," as she does on the redolent slow blues song ‘Let Me Be Your Angel’. In ‘Don't Let The Clean Up Woman Pick Up Your Man’ Sweet Angel's delivery is impeccable. Sweet Angel brings her reed playing talents into the picture on ‘Blow That Thang, Sweet Angel’. ‘Good Girls Do Bad Things’, marks the high point of the album. Sweet Angel rides the music like a veteran. Her trademark enunciation has never been as razor-sharp, her phrasing never more inspired.
There's a lot to be said about Sweet Angel. She sings with a big, bold voice and can hold her own with her alto saxophone. In March of 2010, this Memphis, Tennessee raised blues and R&B vocalist won her first national award. The West Coast Blues Hall of Fame & Awards Show 2010 presented her with R&B Female Artists of the Year on 'Don't Let The Clean Up Woman Pick up Your Man', Sweet Angel boldly covered the great Betty Wright.
Sweet Angel released her fourth album with the Ecko Records label in August of 2010 entitled “A Girl Like Me”. This album achieved a fresh-sounding, aurally-perfect, luxurious kind of soul from Sweet Angel. Sweet Angel's vocal quality retains a subtle umbilical cord, and that is the secret to her uniqueness. The title song, ‘A Girl Like Me’, is mostly spoken and tells the very entertaining story of how Sweet Angel was desirous of being one of the Legendary BobbyRush’s dancing girls. The album includes ‘What I Want, What I Need’ is a laid-back stepper and an up-tempo bluesy roller titled ‘I Like The Money But I Don’t Like The Job’ and a rock and roller with a satisfyingly gospel-tinged called ‘Do You Feel Alright?’.‘Last Night Was Your Last Night’ is a nice and mellow mid-tempo floater. But the real jewels are found among the six slow songs; ‘I’d Rather Be By Myself, Than To Be Unhappy’ is a big-voiced ballad interpreted in a determined style. This song is a slow, elegant ballad that quickly gained deejay supporters across the country. ‘I’ve Got To Get Paid’ is a slightly bluesy number on the album along with ‘Don’t Be Lonely, Be Loved’. In ‘Don’t Be Lonely, Be Loved’ Sweet Angel delivered it in an authoritative manner, which complimented its solid arrangement. The most soulful sides are a powerful slowie called ‘Mrs. Number Two’, a touching swayer titled ‘The Comfort Of My Man’ and a country-soul ballad named ‘I’m Workin’ On My Job’ which is a very well-done ballad with a soft, feathery vocal and memorable melody. On this album, Sweet Angel depicted an uncompromising lady, and it definitely paid off, because music-wise this has been her strongest album to date.
Sweet Angel decided to go back as an independent artist in 2011 as she felt being on a label that is known for Southern Soul, she would be less likely to crossover.
In 2011, Sweet Angel put her own twist on and released ‘Purple Rain’ as a single. It showcases her soulful voice and also her powerful saxophone talents.
Sweet Angel is working at the top of her art, fulfilling everything anyone expected of her and more. She is a skillful solid indubitable entertainer. She has shared the stage with such notables as Keith Sweat, Clarence Carter, Bobby Rush, Denise LaSalle, Willie Clayton, J. Blackfoot, Sir Charles Jones, Theodis Ealey, Floyd Taylor, Jeff Floyd, Mel Waiters, T. K. Soul, Bobby Blue Bland and many more.
DISCOGRAPHY
MR. WRONG GONNA GET THIS LOVE TONIGHT (2012)
Mr. Wrong Gonna Get This Love Tonight
Juking At The Hole In The Wall
Zydeco Funk
Blow That Thang Again
Soul Stepping
Touch Me
Love Thief
Don’t Hurt No More
Touch Me featuring Sweet Angel on Alto Saxophone (Instrumental)
